In addition to satisfying licensing, Maryland hunter safety and stamp requirements; lottery selection, a Managed Hunt Permit and a Shooter Qualification Card are required to participate in the following managed deer hunting programs:

• Gunpowder Falls State Park
• Seneca Creek State Park

Department of Natural Resources Shooter Qualification Card Program

Through the Shooter Qualification Program local sportsman’s clubs, shooting clubs and other groups avail their facilities and expertise to certify hunters for the program. Hunters who meet certain shooting qualification standards become certified and receive a Maryland State Shooter Qualification Card valid for the current hunting license year. This card serves as “proof of proficiency” and enables a qualified hunter to be eligible for many of the managed deer hunts held across Maryland.

The qualification event held at the Notchcliff Army National Guard Range in Baltimore County for the Gunpowder Falls and Seneca Creek hunting programs will be held on Dec. 12, 2021 (All hunters must arrive by 9:00 a.m.).

Other Shooter Qualification events are held at different times and locations throughout the year. Many of the organizations that host these events charge a fee. The Department of Natural Resources will issue a press release in the summer announcing the dates for the various qualifications and will list the website addresses of participating sportsmen’s clubs and other locations where Shooter Qualifications will be held. The website address for all this information is: dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/Documents/shoot_qual_cal.pdf. Hunters interested in participating in managed hunts should contact the organization holding the hunt to learn more about their program and any additional requirements.

Managed Hunt Permit

• The annual Managed Hunt Permit is required to hunt Department of Natural Resources properties that charge for managed hunts and covers all such hunts on these lands.
• The Managed Hunt Permit is not required to take part in drawings or lotteries but only to participate in the managed hunts.
• Hunters should contact the properties they wish to hunt for site-specific rules and regulations.
• Persons exempt from the Managed Hunt Permit requirement are those legally hunting with a Junior Hunting License, persons 16 years of age or younger hunting with an Apprentice Hunting License (see Hunting Licenses, Stamps and Permits) or any person serving in the United States Armed Forces that is exempt from needing a Maryland hunting license (see Armed Forces Members Hunting In Maryland).

For managed deer hunts at Gunpowder Falls and Seneca Creek:

• Hunters will be chosen by lottery. Only one application per hunter. Group applications of up to three hunters will be accepted and must be stapled together.
• Shotguns with slugs are the only firearms allowed for these hunts.
• The use of scopes is encouraged.
• Deer taken during these hunts will not count toward the hunter’s regular deer Firearms Season bag limit.
• Hunters participating in the Gunpowder Falls and Seneca Creek hunts will be allowed to harvest four antlerless deer and approximately one out of 10 hunters will be chosen by drawing on the morning of the hunt to harvest an antlered deer in lieu of one of the four antlerless deer.

The Gunpowder Falls State Park, Sweet Air Area managed deer hunt in Baltimore County has a limit of 60 hunters. For more information call 410-356-9272 between 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. or 410-592-2897. (See the following page for the Gunpowder Falls application form.)

The Seneca Creek State Park managed deer hunt in Montgomery County has a limit of 60 hunters. For more information call 410-356- 9272 between 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. or 301-924- 2127. (See the following page for the Seneca Creek application form.)

The Anne Arundel County managed deer hunt has a limit of 140 hunters. For more information call 410-222-6141 or 410-222-8820 between 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. or email rpdeer00@aacounty.org.

Please visit their website for an application form and a complete list of rules and regulations. aacounty.org/services-and-programs/deer-management-program

The Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Department managed deer hunt in Anne Arundel County has these provisions:

• A Shooter Qualification Card and verification that the hunter has complied with the Hunter Education and Safety Requirement are required to participate in this hunt.
• Hunters and hunting dates will be chosen by lottery. Only one application per hunter. Group applications of up to three hunters will be accepted and must be stapled together.
• Hunters must pass background checks and participate in an interview.
• Shotguns and Muzzleloaders are the only firearms allowed for these hunts, but ammunition types are restricted.
• MD residency or active duty military with proof of station in MD is required.
• Hunters must provide their own and use a portable tree stand.
• The use of iron sights and/or scopes is required.
• There is a mandatory hunter meeting. There is a pre-hunt mandatory scout date for each property.
• Additional fees apply.

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center managed deer hunt in Anne Arundel County has these provisions:

• A Shooter Qualification Card and verification that the hunter has complied with the Hunter Education and Safety Requirement are required to participate in this hunt.
• Hunters will be chosen by lottery. Only one application per hunter. Group applications of up to three hunters will be accepted and must be stapled together.
• Shotguns with slugs are the only firearms allowed during Firearms Season hunts.
• The use of scopes is encouraged.
• The use of a portable tree stand is required.
• Accommodations will be made for hunters with a Universal Disability Pass that will allow them to hunt from a vehicle.
• Pre-hunt mandatory scout dates are Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, 2021.
• See page 34 for the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center application form.

The Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area managed deer hunt in Queen Anne’s County has these provisions:

• Hunters are required to submit a copy of their current Maryland Hunting License along with their permit application.
• Hunters will be chosen by lottery for both the October muzzleloader deer hunt and the December firearms deer hunt.
• For more information call 410-827-7577.