Deal Island Wildlife Management Area. Maryland DNR photo.
Maryland’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) showcase some of the state’s most scenic and rugged landscapes, but many residents and visitors have never heard of them. These public lands are protected by the Department of Natural Resources, they’re usually off the beaten path, and available to explore in 19 of Maryland’s 23 counties.
Those who visit are rewarded with a new perspective into the nature and wildlife that exists beyond the treeline.
DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service maintains these lands, which offer remarkable opportunities to explore Maryland’s diverse hunting options. Hunters can access black bear country in the high Appalachians, world-class waterfowl hunting in the marshes of the Chesapeake, the largest free-ranging population of sika deer in North America, and upland birds throughout the state.
These lands exemplify Maryland’s “America in Miniature” nickname and offer a range of hunting experiences well beyond the size of its geographical footprint.
In addition to providing public hunting access, WMAs are home to science-driven game management practices and native habitat for many of Maryland’s rare, threatened, and endangered species. Though hunting takes center stage at WMAs during fall and winter hunting seasons, there are year-round opportunities for the public at WMAs to experience serene wilderness. Kayaking, hiking, birdwatching, photography, mountain biking, and other recreational activities are popular uses of these wild places.
Maryland’s WMA system is different from the state’s more developed recreational lands. The Maryland Park Service and its 70-plus state parks are catered specifically toward higher visitation, camping, day-use areas, and offer developed facilities such as ranger stations and restrooms. State Parks generally allow for higher traffic and provide a level of service designed to make even the most inexperienced campers and outdoor adventurers comfortable.
Sunflowers at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. Maryland DNR photo.
WMAs draw less recreational visitors, but require additional care in how the public can enjoy the land without threatening the resources and wildlife being protected.
Naturally, the areas are less adapted for human traffic. That means visitors shouldn’t expect the amenities commonly found at a state park. Pavilions, paved parking areas, facilities with water and electricity, and finely manicured trails won’t typically be found in most of these areas. Their more primitive nature is part of what makes them special.
Most WMAs are free to access and accessible year round to non-hunters without reservations. All you have to do is show up and start exploring. A few WMAs – such as Gwynnbrook WMA in Owings Mills – are only available for non-hunting uses on Sundays from September through January, but open to all users outside this window. Recreational visitors to WMAs should educate themselves about open hunting seasons and how they affect access to WMAs during hunting activities. Such information is available in Maryland DNR’s Guide to Hunting and Trapping; and visitors can also call the regional wildlife office before they visit to make sure they are aware of hunting activities or potential closures. During hunting seasons, DNR recommends that all visitors and any animal companions wear blaze orange or pink, such as a hat or vest, when visiting WMAs.
A total of 64 WMAs throughout the state span roughly 130,000 acres, contributing toward nearly a quarter of Maryland’s public lands. State parks, state forests, natural environment areas, cooperatively managed lands, and smaller parcels of protected land make up the remainder of DNR’s nearly 600,000-acre portfolio of state-owned public lands.
Because WMAs remain relatively undeveloped and lightly trafficked, they can provide unique opportunities to encounter wildlife in its natural habitat. For example, several WMAs on the Lower Eastern Shore are home to robust populations of sika deer. Visitors may encounter the species while hunting, hiking, photographing, or simply exploring the landscape.
Maryland’s rustic WMAs give visitors an undisturbed look at lands that reflect their natural heritage and provide a sense at what portions of the state may have looked like centuries ago. These protected areas – free from development, construction, and other factors that drive wildlife away – give haven to the species that once proliferated throughout Maryland. Wild turkey and black bear roam the various WMAs of Western Maryland, providing hunting opportunities that can be otherwise difficult to find.
Northern Pintails at Millington Wildlife Management Area. Maryland DNR photo.
Elsewhere, WMAs are home to valuable habitat study areas for rare, threatened, and endangered species as well as game animals. Some of these species, like the Delmarva fox squirrel (Linkwood WMA), bobwhite quail (Nanticoke River WMA), ruffed grouse (Mt. Nebo WMA) can be found in dense quantities throughout their research range but are otherwise uncommonly seen by visitors. Targeted habitat management and conservation efforts put forth by Department biologists have allowed successful reintroduction and sustainment of these species.
Efforts to provide food, cover, and habitat for wildlife species are hallmarks of lands managed by DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service. Wildlife staff maintain or lease agricultural fields and orchards on various WMA lands throughout the state. Sunflower fields are commonly seen on WMA lands to provide food and shelter for species like mourning doves, which can turn into fruitful days afield for hunters come harvest season.
These habitat and research efforts are funded in part by revenue collected through hunting license sales, as well as federal Pittman-Robertson matching grant funding generated by the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. Maryland hunters and other licensees benefit from this funding model because revenue generated by hunting and shooting sports in Maryland stays in Maryland, supporting conservation and wildlife management efforts across the state.
“Sportsmen and women are funding the majority of the great work that we do in Maryland,” said Karina Stonesifer, director of DNR’s Wildlife and Heritage Service.
The money from hunting license purchases also goes toward recruiting, educating, and certifying new hunters; helping enforce wildlife laws and regulations to protect our species and better assure safety of hunters when afield; and conducting population surveys, disease studies, and wildlife population health assessments.
Mobility-impaired hunting platform at Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area. Maryland DNR photo.
While habitat development and hunting access are key pillars of the WMA mission, these lands offer many more opportunities to enjoy wildlife and the natural beauty. Their undeveloped character provides reprieve for visitors looking to experience Maryland’s outdoors away from its more heavily visited public lands.
Water trails are one example. Several WMAs provide access to paddling routes that allow visitors to explore marshes, forests, and waterways from a different perspective. E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area in Worcester County features three distinct paddling routes ranging from three to six miles. Two trails totaling approximately 10 miles comprise the Fishing Bay Water Trail. The Monie Bay Water Trails can be accessed within Deal Island WMA, while on the opposite side of the Chesapeake Bay, the Mallows Bay Water Trail can be accessed through Nanjemoy WMA. Water trail maps can be purchased at the DNR Outdoor Store.
While Wildlife Management Areas are just one part of Maryland’s expansive collection of state-owned lands, their accessibility and diverse recreational opportunities make them an important part of DNR’s public land system. Managed first and foremost for wildlife and habitat, WMAs give Marylanders the chance to hunt, paddle, hike, birdwatch, and experience natural landscapes with fewer signs of development and less distractions.
Wildlife Management Areas in Maryland:
Central Maryland
Eastern Maryland
Southern Maryland
Western Maryland
