Department of Natural Resources

Safety Tips

Hunting Safety Tips

Tree stand accidents are the leading cause of hunter injuries in Maryland. Most tree stand accidents occur in the transition between a climbing device and the tree stand.

• Always practice and understand the manufacturer’s recommendations for use of any climbing equipment or tree stand.
• Keep all tree stands, and climbing equipment in good repair.
• Practice with stands, harness, and climbing equipment at ground level first.
• Use only full-body safety harness/fall restraint systems and a lifeline when climbing a tree or in a tree stand.
• Only climb healthy trees. Even live branches may give way under your weight.
• Use three points of contact with the tree or climbing device for a secure hold.
• Climb higher than your stand and step down onto it.
• Wear boots with non-skid soles to prevent slips.
• Use a haul line to get hunting equipment into and out of your stand. Guns should be unloaded and broad heads covered.
• Don’t fall asleep in your stand.
• Tell others where you will hunt and when you will return.

Firearms Safety Tips

• Treat every gun as if it were loaded.
• Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to shoot.
• Always control the muzzle direction in case of a fall.
• Keep the barrel and action clear of obstructions. Carry only the proper ammunition for your firearm.
• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
• Unload guns and open the action when not in use.
• Never climb or jump with a loaded gun.
• Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
• Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or water.
• Store guns and ammunition safely and securely.
• Never use alcoholic beverages or medications before or during the use of a firearm.

Archery Safety Tips

• Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you shoot.
• Keep broadheads covered and only knock an arrow or load a bolt when you are ready to shoot.
• Never run, climb or jump with knocked arrow or a bolt loaded in a crossbow.
• Keep hands away from drawn crossbow strings and cables.
• Practice frequently with your hunting arrows and bolts to know your accuracy and distance limitations.
• Always use manufacturer recommended arrow or bolt weights.

Turkey Hunting Safety Tips

• Follow all firearms hunting safety recommendations.
• Call out in a loud, clear voice to announce your presence to other approaching hunters.
• Don’t wear red, white, blue or black colors that may be mistaken for the colors of a wild turkey gobbler.
• Cover harvested turkeys and decoys when carrying them.
• Stalking turkey sounds may put you and the hunter making them in danger.
• Protect your back from other hunters approaching from behind.

Black Bears in Maryland

Western Maryland (Allegany, Garrett, Frederick and Washington counties) is home to a healthy black bear population. Accordingly, people may find themselves encountering bears, especially in areas with natural or artificial food sources, such as berry patches, oak groves or in areas where bait, such as corn, has been left to attract wildlife. If you encounter a bear, the Department of Natural Resources recommends that you make your presence known by making noise. Clap your hands and speak with a firm voice to be sure the bear knows you are there. Remain upright and do not run. Back away slowly and leave the area. Although black bears are generally shy and run when confronted by people, they are wild animals that should be treated with respect.

For people wishing to carry a form of personal protection, the department recommends the use of bear pepper spray as an effective, legal and safe bear deterrent. It has a large volume and long shelf life and is discharged in an expanding cloud that will reach its target up to 35 feet away. There are a variety of bear pepper sprays on the market that can be purchased at local sporting goods stores or on the internet. When purchasing bear pepper spray, be sure that the label states that it is for use on bears and has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Attention Successful Deer Hunters!

• You can be eligible to take a tax credit for the qualified expenses of donating processed deer meat to a nonprofit venison donation program.
• An individual can claim a credit of up to $75 per deer and maximum of $300 for the butchering and processing expenses for an antlerless deer.
• To qualify, a hunter must comply with applicable state hunting laws and regulations. The actual tax credit will be part of your annual Maryland tax filing.

Potomac River Boating Regulations

A person aboard a vessel, raft or tube shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device at all times while underway on the Upper Potomac River (that portion of the Potomac River and its tributaries above the Maryland/District of Columbia boundary near Little Falls) and its tributaries, during the period beginning at 12:01 a.m. each November 15, and ending at 12 midnight each succeeding May 15. At all other times a vessel, raft or tube shall be equipped with a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V personal flotation device for each person aboard while underway on the Upper Potomac River and its tributaries.

An individual using a vessel, raft or tube upon any white water portion of any designated stream segment shall wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type III or V personal flotation device at all times; see COMAR 08.18.01.08 for a complete listing. Furthermore, an individual using a kayak or covered canoe vessel on a white water portion of a designated stream segment shall wear a safety helmet.

Additionally, no person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one Type IV throwable personal flotation device is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable personal flotation devices required.

Stop All Poaching

To report a violation:

Call or text: 443-433-4112 or Email: [email protected]

For more information about Maryland Wildlife Crime Stoppers find us on Facebook: Maryland Wildlife Crime Stoppers

Natural Resources Police Career Opportunities

If you have what it takes and the desire to serve, we’re interested in talking to you.

To begin your career as a Maryland Natural Resources Police officer, please contact us at [email protected], or visit the Maryland Natural Resources Police Careers page at https://dnr.maryland.gov/nrp/pages/careers.aspx

Archery Hunting at Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs

Special rules and regulations for hunting are in effect on the Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs. By accepting the permit, the permittee agrees to having read and accepted these rules and regulations governing the Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs established by the City of Baltimore, Director of Public Works.

• Parking or driving motor vehicles of any description except on hard surfaced roads is prohibited.
• No fires are permitted on the watershed areas at any time.
• Hunting is permitted only from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
• No hunting within 50 feet of high water shoreline.
• No hunting is allowed south of Liberty Road (MD Rt. 26) on Liberty Reservoir in Baltimore County.
• Hunters must adhere to all regulations established by the Baltimore City Bureau of Water and Wastewater.
• Hunters are warned against the disposal of refuse and trash on the watershed area, and violators will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
• Although not recommended by Baltimore City Department of Public Works, the use of patented portable tree stands is permitted.
• Portable tree stands must be removed at the end of each day.
• Masks or other face gear shall be removed upon leaving the woods and when approaching within 100 yards of another person.
• Permits are valid for the entire season for the taking of game, except waterfowl, WITH ARCHERY EQUIPMENT ONLY at Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs.
• On Loch Raven Reservoir, the permit is valid for deer hunting only with archery equipment in designated areas.
• It is illegal to bait for hunting.
• On Loch Raven Reservoir hunting is prohibited on the Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail/NCR Trail.
• Deer archery hunters hunting during the Junior Deer Hunting Days, Deer Firearms and Deer Muzzleloader Seasons are required to wear daylight fluorescent color clothing.
• Archery Hunting Permits for Liberty, Loch Raven and Prettyboy Reservoirs are available online
  at dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/
  Documents/Reservoir-Permit.pdf.
• For reservoir hunting questions call 410-356-9272.

Attention Hunters

Commercial computer and cell phone map applications are not to be construed or used as a legal description of public land boundaries. Hunters are personally responsible for following rules and regulations concerning property boundaries and trespassing. Trespassing on private property is a serious crime and punishable under Maryland law. This includes all private property land adjacent to public hunting lands.

Maryland Archery Hunter Survey Cooperators Needed

We need your help!

Archery hunters are among the most active outdoor enthusiasts in Maryland. The time you spend afield and the experiences you enjoy are of great value to us. The hunting observations you make, day after day and year after year, can be used as a powerful tool to effectively track fluctuations in many different wildlife populations (e.g. deer, bear, turkey, small game and furbearers). Therefore, we are asking you to take the time to become a cooperator and document information about each of your archery hunts. The data you provide will be added to the data already collected by over 300 other archery hunter cooperators and will make the results even stronger.

If you are interested in becoming an Archery Hunter Survey Cooperator, the survey can be accessed through the MD DNR app under the hunting section. You can also download a copy of the survey at dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/hunt_trap/bhsurvey.aspx, or contact Brent Evans at 443-786-3656 ([email protected]). Cooperators will use the annual survey form to complete during the deer archery season and an annual report of the results will be provided after they are compiled. We appreciate your interest and cooperation.

Hunters should be aware of lead poisoning risks when using lead projectiles

Even small amounts of lead can cause serious health problems. Young children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning. Meat from game animals taken with lead fragmenting bullets and shot is a lead poisoning risk. Avoid the use of meat from possibly contaminated wound channels, especially in ground meat. Inspection for and removal of fragments and shot is recommended. To avoid lead contamination further from the impact area, careful shot placement to avoid large bone masses and bullet fragmentation is also recommended.