Public Hunting Lands include Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), State Parks, State Forests including Chesapeake Forest Lands (CFLs), Cooperative Wildlife Management Areas (CWMAs), Natural Environment Areas (NEAs), Natural Resources Management Areas (NRMAs), and Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission (MNCPPC) managed lands.
Hunting and trapping of game species as they are found on these public hunting lands is permitted in accordance with State and federal laws and the restrictions for each area. Stands and blinds are limited to those of a temporary nature which must be removed at the end of each day. No target shooting is permitted except at public shooting ranges. The use of hunting dogs by a licensed person in designated hunting areas for legal species is permitted. Possession or use of weapons is prohibited in State Forests outside of regular open hunting seasons. On Chesapeake Forest Lands an individual may not hunt within 150 yards of an occupied structure or camp and within 150 feet of any exterior Chesapeake Forest Lands boundary. Call to check on rules or conditions for each location. Maps of WMAs, State Forests, CFLs, and State Parks are available on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website at: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov under Parks, Wildlife, or Trees. A consolidated listing of areas for hunters with mobility impairments can be found at http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/accessforall/accesshunt.asp.
Key
public archery range
provisions to hunt from a vehicle, call each area for other conditions that may apply
Managed Hunt Permit required for DNR lands (See Licenses, Stamps and Permits)
provisions for hunters with mobility impairments, call each area for site conditions
free permit required
public shooting range
daily sign in required
trapping allowed by permit
Allegany
- Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA: 1,114 acres. 301-478-2525
- Dan’s Mountain WMA: 9,681 acres. 301-478-2525
- Green Ridge State Forest: 46,657 acres. Free permit required for trapping, call 310-478-2525. 301-478-3124
- Rocky Gap State Park: 1,451 acres (general hunting), 300 acres (bow only). Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters during the deer firearms season (free permit required). 301-722-1480
- Warrior Mountain WMA: 4,672 acres. 301-478-2525
Anne Arundel
- Sandy Point State Park: Waterfowl hunting at designated sites during the third split of the waterfowl season only. Boat access only. Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
Baltimore
- Gunpowder Falls State Park: 3,000 acres.
- Hammerman, Hart-Miller Island, Days Cove and North Point Areas: Waterfowl blinds by lottery and/or by daily reservation. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Sweet Air Area: Managed deer hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 54 for application. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am or 410-592-2897.
- Hereford Area: Deer bow hunting only. 410-329-6809.
- Gwynnbrook WMA: 35 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Liberty Watershed: 9,200 acres. Bow hunting only for all game species. No waterfowl hunting. Bowhunting Permit available on page 55 or register online at www.dnr.maryland.gov. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Loch Raven Watershed: 1,600 acres. Deer bow hunting only. Bowhunting Permit available on page 55 or register online at www.dnr.maryland.gov. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Patapsco Valley State Park: 3,895 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-461-5005
- Prettyboy Watershed: 7,380 acres. Bow hunting only for all game species. No waterfowl hunting. Bowhunting Permit available on page 55 or register online at www.dnr.maryland.gov. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Soldiers Delight NEA: 700 acres. Deer bow hunting. Managed deer hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 54 for application. 410-461-5005
Calvert
- Calvert Cliffs State Park: 950 acres. 301-888-1410
- Flag Ponds Park CWMA: 100 acres. Deer bow hunting only. Opens to hunting the Monday before the late Muzzleloader Season split. Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Hall Creek NRMA: 275 acres. Free permit and reservation required for waterfowl blind. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Huntingtown Area of King’s Landing NRMA: 960 acres. Hunting within King’s Landing NRMA is allowed only in the Huntingtown Area which is north of Cocktown Creek. Hunting is not permitted in the Calvert County managed King’s Landing Park. Reservation required for waterfowl blinds. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm.
Caroline
- Ayton Tree Nursery: 5 acres. Dove hunting by lottery only. Limited to youth age 15 and under with unarmed licensed adult. Limited to 4 junior hunters per day. Application (see page 55) due by 3pm August 18, 2011. Drawing August 18, 2011. 410-673-2467
- Bridgetown Ponds: 100 acres. Deer Bow Hunting only. Restricted Season: Nov. 26, 2011–Jan. 23, 2012. Daily sign-in required at Tuckahoe State Park. 410-820-1668.
- Idylwild WMA: 3,382 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236.
- Merrikan Gordy Complex CFL: 426 acres. 410-632-3732
- Messenger Branch Complex CFL: 340 acres. 410-632-3732
- Seipp Complex CFL: 106 acres. 410-632-3732
- Tuckahoe State Park: 1,000 acres. Migratory goose hunting by lottery. Applications available online at: www.dnr.maryland.gov 410-820-1668
Carroll
- Avondale WMA: 180 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Farver CWMA: 23 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Hahn CWMA: 25 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Hanover Watershed: 337 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Maring CWMA: 237 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Morgan Run NEA: 1,300 acres. Deer bow and muzzleloader hunting only. 410-461-5005
- Patapsco Valley State Park: see Baltimore County.
- Raincliffe CWMA: 35 acres. Deer bow hunting only. Saturday only. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Sawmill CWMA: 500 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Slacks CWMA: 135 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Speigel CWMA: 250 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Woodbrook CWMA: 522 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
Cecil
- C & D Canal Lands: 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Bethel: 400 acres. Bow hunting only for deer.
- Courthouse Point: 315 acres. Bow hunting only for deer.
- Elk Forest: 242 acres.
- Grove Neck: Waterfowl only from two blind sites on the Sassafras River. No on site boat access available.
- Stemmers Run: 750 acres. Boat access restricted to waterfowl hunting only.
- Welch Point: 77 acres.
- Earlville WMA: 195 acres.
- Elk Neck State Forest: 3,316 acres. 410-287-5675
- Elk Neck State Park: 340 acres. For deer—410-287-5333. For waterfowl blinds by daily reservation—410-356-9272, 7:30am and 11:30am.
- Fair Hill NRMA: 5,613 acres. Deer bow hunting and raccoon hunting. Managed deer hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 54 for application. Required parking permit. 410-398-1246
- Grove Farm WMA: 744 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
- Old Bohemia WMA: 975 acres. 410-356-9272, 7:30am–11:30am
Charles
- Blossom Point CWMA: Waterfowl blind sites. Boat access only. Reservations required. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Cedar Point WMA: 1,920 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blinds/blind sites. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Cedarville State Forest: 1,100 acres. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm.
- Chapel Point State Park: 550 acres. 301-888-1410
- Chapman State Park (210 Parcel): 1,305 acres. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Chapman State Park (Mt. Aventine Parcel): 875 acres. Deer and waterfowl only. Reservations required. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Chicamuxen WMA: 381 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blinds. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Doncaster Demonstration Forest: 1,700 acres. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Indian Creek NRMA: 680 acres. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Mattawoman NEA: 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Buteaux Crossing Tract: 261 acres.
- Pomfret Road Tracts: 371 acres.
- Myrtle Grove WMA: 1,748 acres. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Nanjemoy NRMA: 1,458 acres (includes the former Purse State Park & Douglas Point WMA/CWMA). Reservations required for waterfowl blind sites. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Riverside WMA: 394 acres 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
- Tayloes Neck Tract (State Forest): 300 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blind sites. 301-743-5161, 8:00am–12:00pm
Dorchester
- Baumgarthner-Southam Complex CFL: 210 acres. 410-632-3732
- Fishing Bay WMA: 29,237 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236
- Hoernicke-Oliphant Complex CFL: 368 acres. 410-632-3732
- Insley Complex CFL : 450 acres. 410-632-3732
- LeCompte Complex CFL: 452 acres. 410-632-3732
- LeCompte WMA: 485 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. No squirrel hunting. Waterfowl hunting for the mobility-impaired, reservation required. 410-376-3236
- Lewis Complex CFL: 1,575 acres. 410-632-3732
- Linkwood WMA: 313 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236
- Marshy Hope Complex CFL: 3,355 acres. 410-632-3732
- Tar Bay WMA: 12 acres. Waterfowl (water access only). 410-376-3236
- Taylors Island WMA: 1,114 acres. Furbearer trapping permits by bid process. Primarily boat access. 410-376-3236
Frederick
- Cunningham Falls State Park: 3,500 acres. Reservations required. Free permit required for raccoon hunting and fox chasing. 301-271-7574
- Frederick City Watershed CWMA: 7,300 acres. Free permit required to hunt furbearers at night. 301-842-2702
- Heater’s Island WMA: 194 acres. Boat access only. 301-842-2702
- Monocacy NRMA: 1,800 acres. 301-924-2127
- South Mountain State Park: 3,350 acres. 301-791-4767
- Thurmont Watershed CWMA: 300 acres. 301-842-2702
Garrett
- Deep Creek Lake State Park: 1,200 acres. No firearms hunting until Oct. 16, 2011. No waterfowl hunting. 301-387-5563
- Mt. Nebo WMA: 1,860 acres. 301-334-4255
- Potomac-Garrett State Forest: 18,535 acres. For trapping permit call 310-334-4225. 301-334-2038
- Savage River State Forest: 54,447 acres. For trapping permit call 310-334-4225. 301-895-5759
- Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA: 900 acres. 301-334-4255
- Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River: 1200 acres. 301-387-5563
Harford
- Gunpowder Falls State Park: See Baltimore County
- Rocks State Park: 120 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-557-7994
- Stoney Demonstration Forest: 318 acres. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am.
- Susquehanna State Park: 880 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-557-7994. Waterfowl blinds by daily reservation. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am
Howard
- Hugg-Thomas WMA: 276 acres. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am
- Patapsco Valley State Park: See Baltimore County
- Patuxent River State Park: 5,000 acres. 301-924-2127
Kent
- Millington WMA: 4,000 acres. No hunting for bobwhite quail. Canada goose hunting by reservation only. Limited spring turkey hunting. 410-928-3650
- Sassafras NRMA: 1,000 acres. General hunting with restrictions. Migratory goose and waterfowl hunting by lottery only. Restrictions and applications available online at: www.dnr.maryland.gov. 410-820-1668
Montgomery
- Cherrington CWMA (MNCPPC): 275 acres. Deer hunting only. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am
- McKee-Beshers WMA: 1,960 acres. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am
- Patuxent River State Park: See Howard County
- Seneca Creek State Park: 1,000 acres including 3 tracts for deer bow hunting only.
- Managed Deer Hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 55 for application. 301-924-2127
- Schaeffer Farm: Deer shotgun hunting. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am and 11:30am
- Strider 1 WMA: 100 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am
- Strider 2 WMA: 70 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-356-9272 between 7:30am–11:30am
Prince George’s
- Aquasco Farm CWMA (MNCPPC): 150 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Bowen WMA: 300 acres. Reservations required. Boat access only. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Cedarville State Forest: See Charles County.
- Cheltenham WMA: 15 acres. Dove hunting. Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Milltown Landing NRMA: 250 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blinds. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- National Park Service Blind Sites: Reservation required. Boat access only. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Nottingham NRMA: 329 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blind sites. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Patuxent River Park/Billingsley (MNCPPC): 400 acres. Deer bow hunting only. Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Rosaryville State Park: 460 acres. Deer bow hunting only. Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Spice Creek NRMA: 230 acres. Reservations required for waterfowl blinds. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
Queen Anne’s
- Tuckahoe State Park: See Caroline County.
- Wye Island NRMA: 2,500 acres. Deer Bow Season hunting limited to 25 hunters per day. Deer muzzleloader hunting by lottery. Application on page 54. Deer Firearms Season hunting by lottery. Application on page 54. Migratory goose hunting by lottery. Lottery applications are available online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/hunting/managedhunt/.html or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wye Island NRMA, 632 Wye Island Rd., Queenstown, MD 21658. 410-827-7577. Hunters are required to submit a copy of their current Maryland Hunting License along with their permit application.
Somerset
- Cedar Island WMA: 2,880 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Boat access only. 410-543-8223
- Deal Island WMA: 13,400 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Impoundment area open to hunting during: Junior Waterfowl Hunting Day (for persons aged 15 or younger); October duck season on opening day, Wednesday and any Saturday; November duck season on opening day, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Thanksgiving; all hunting days during the December/January duck season. The impoundment will be closed to hunting on all other days. Lottery permit required for impoundment on certain dates. To request a lottery application, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wellington WMA, 32733 Dublin Rd., Princess Anne, MD 21853. Requests for applications must be received by Sept. 1. Multiple application requests require extra postage! 410-543-8223
- E. Mace Smith Complex CFL: 1,708 acres. 410-632-3732
- Fairmount WMA: 5,054 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Lottery for impoundment on certain dates. To request a lottery application, see information above for Deal Island WMA. 410-543-8223
- Haislip-Marumsco Complex CFL: 1,379 acres. 410-632-3732
- Janes Island State Park: 3,147 acres. Waterfowl hunting only. Trapping permits issued through bid process. 410-968-1565
- Maryland Marine Properties WMA: 1,130 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-543-8223
- Oriole Complex CFL: 567 acres. 410-632-3732
- Peters McAllen Complex CFL: 934 acres. 410-632-3732
- Pocomoke Sound WMA: 922 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Boat access only. 410-543-8223
- South Marsh WMA: 2,969 acres. Furbearers trapping permits issued by bid process. Boat access only. 410-543-8223
- Wellington WMA: 429 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-543-8223
- Wells Complex CFL: 1,915 acres. 410-632-3732
St. Mary’s
- Elms CWMA: 545 acres. No woodchuck hunting. Reservation required. Spring turkey hunting on Saturdays only. Environmental education on site. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Greenwell State Park: 187 acres. 301-872-5688
- Newtowne Neck State Park: 550 acres. Reservation required for waterfowl blinds/blind sites. 301-872-5688 or 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm.
- Myrtle Point CWMA Blind Sites: Waterfowl hunting in the third split of the season only. Reservation required. Boat access only. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm
- Point Lookout State Park: 240 acres. No deer hunting during the early muzzleloader season. 301-872-5688
- St. Clement’s Island State Park: 63 acres. Rabbit and waterfowl hunting only. Accessible only by boat. 301-872-5688
- Salem Tract: (State Forest) 850 acres. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm.
- St. Inigoes State Forest: 600 acres. Reservation required for waterfowl blind sites and raccoon hunting. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm.
- St. Mary’s Lake: Waterfowl hunting at designated sites only. Boat access only (No gas motors). Reservation required. 301-743-5161 between 8:00am–12:00pm.
- St. Mary’s River State Park: 2,200 acres. 301-872-5688
Talbot
- Seth Demonstration Forest CFL: 124 acres. Deer bow hunting only. 410-632-3732
Washington
- Fort Frederick State Park: 400 acres. Managed deer hunt (shotgun) by lottery, see page 54 for application. 301-842-2155
- Greenbrier State Park: 500 acres. Free permit required for raccoon hunting and fox chasing. 301-791-4767
- Indian Springs WMA: 6,635 acres. 301-842-2702
- Prather’s Neck WMA: 205 acres (general hunting), 10 acres (bow hunting only). 301-842-2702
- Sideling Hill WMA: 3,100 acres. 301-842-2702
- South Mountain State Park: See Frederick County.
- Woodmont NRMA: 2,400 acres. For free trapping permit call 301-842-2702. 301-842-2155
Wicomico
- Athol Complex CFL: 682 acres. 410-632-3732
- Aughty Naughty Complex CFL: 1,317 acres. Includes the Brown Tract: 70 acres. 410-632-3732
- Ellis Bay WMA: 2,994 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236
- Fair Meadow Complex CFL: 362 acres. 410-632-3732
- Greenhill Complex CFL: 3,312 acres. 410-632-3732
- Johnson WMA: 115 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Deer hunting with bow only. 410-543-8223
- Louis Horner Complex CFL: 465 acres. 410-632-3732
- Nanticoke River WMA: 1,688 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236
- Wetipquin WMA: 100 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-376-3236
- Wicomico Demonstration Forest CFL: 3,503 acres. 410-632-3732
Worcester
- Abe Harmond Complex CFL: 149 acres. 410-632-3732
- Apgar Tract CFL: 198 acres. 410-632-3732
- Assateague State Park: 450 acres. Deer bow hunting only restricted to Nov. 1, 2011–Jan. 30, 2012. Self sign in required at Pump House #1. Limit of 10 hunters per day plus 2 hunters with Hunt From a Vehicle Permits. 410-641-2120
- Bethards Tract CFL: 33 acres. 410-632-3732
- Buck Harbor Complex CFL: 315 acres located off Stevens Roads. This area is managed for handicap hunters who are restricted to a wheelchair. For more information contact the National Wild Turkey Federation at 410-546-9154. 410-632-3732
- Cordery Complex CFL: 595 acres. 410-632-3732
- Creek Complex CFL: 868 acres. This complex is comprised of the Creek, Chatham, and Tankard Farm tracts. 410-632-3732
- Dunn Swamp Complex CFL: 1,150 acres. 410-632-3732
- E. A. Vaughn WMA: 2,630 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Caution squirrel hunters: endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel may not be hunted. 410-543-8223
- Hickory Point Natural Heritage Area: 1,735 acres. 410-543-8223
- Isle of Wight WMA: 232 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Area south of Rt. 90 closed to hunting. 410-543-8223
- Johnson & Johnson Tract CFL: 871 acres. 410-632-3732
- Pocomoke River State Forest: 13,036 acres. Free permit required for trapping and raccoon hunting. Limited vehicle access. 410-632-3732
- Pocomoke River WMA: 1,016 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. 410-543-8223
- Priscilla Pusey Complex CFL: 154 acres. 410-632-3732
- Selby Complex CFL: 531 acres. 410-632-3732
- Sinepuxent Islands WMA: 25 acres. Furbearer trapping permits issued by bid process. Boat access only. 410-543-8223
- Timmons-Donnaway Complex CFL: 527 acres. 410-632-3732
- Whitesburg Complex CFL: 375 acres. 410-632-3732
Hunting on Other Publicly Owned Property
Federal and Local Jurisdiction Properties
Hunting is allowed on some federal property in Maryland, as well as on some properties owned by local jurisdictions. Though state wildlife regulations and laws apply throughout Maryland, these other properties restrict public access by their own authority. Their hours, seasons, hunting devices, bag limits and other details may differ from state information. For information about hunting on non-state owned properties, you must contact the administrative offices of the properties themselves. Federal facilities in Maryland include: Aberdeen Proving Grounds (Harford, 410-278-4124); Assateague Island National Seashore (Worcester, 410-641-3030); Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (Dorchester, 410-228-5018, 410-228-2677); Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (Kent, 410-639-7056); North Tract- Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (Anne Arundel, 301-776-3090); and Beltsville Agriculture Research Center (Prince George’s, 301-504-6009). County facilities include: MNCPPC Parks (Montgomery, 301-949-4135); Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks (Howard, 410-313-1675).
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Bloodsworth Island Range Waterfowl Hunting Permits
Bloodsworth Island Range (BIR) is an active military bombing range located in Dorchester County, MD. There are ten waterfowl hunting licensed sites located within the BIR. These sites are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Permit procedures and information are available online at: dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/
hunt_trap/pdfs/bloodsworth_permit.pdf or by calling 410-260-8540. Warning: Because of the threat of unexploded ordnance hunters must adhere to special restrictions at all times. -
C & O Canal National Historical Park
Hunters, during designated state hunting seasons, with firearms unloaded, traditional bows unstrung, compound bows unnocked, crossbows uncocked, and dogs leashed, may cross the C & O Canal National Historical Park lands by the most direct route only at designated locations. Hunters may also transport legally taken and properly tagged game across park property at the same designated locations. A listing of these designated locations is published annually in the Park’s Compendium and may be obtained by contacting the C & O Canal National Historic Park at these numbers: Sharpsburg, 301-739-4200; Potomac, 301-413-0720; Hancock, 301-678-5463; Oldtown, 301-478-5519; Cumberland, 301-722-8226.
Monocacy National Battlefield—Frederick County
Existing National Park Service (NPS) regulations prohibit hunting and trapping on identified NPS properties. The NPS has informed the State of Maryland that this regulation will be enforced for that portion of the Monocacy River lying within the boundaries of the Monocacy National Battlefield in Frederick County. The boundaries of the park will be marked on both shores by green and white signs.
