Accessible Hunting Areas
Archer in a wheelchair ready to shoot.

The following State Parks and Wildlife Management Areas offer access to hunters with mobility impairments. A link is provided to each facility's homepage where additional information is available.

Hunting and trapping on public hunting lands is permitted in accordance with state and federal laws and restrictions for each area. Call to check on rules or conditions for each location. Office hours may vary. Call before visiting. Leave a message if appropriate, so that staff can return your call.

The Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) listed are generally undeveloped and are available for hunting in season. Special provisions have been made for vehicular access in some areas to allow hunting from vehicles for individuals with disabilities. A call to the individual Wildlife Management Area can address specific questions regarding access and need. Use Maryland Relay 411 (in Maryland) or 800-735-2258.

Public hunting and trapping opportunities are permitted in designated areas of certain state parks and forests. Vehicles and off-road vehicles are prohibited except on public highways and at approved parking facilities.

Special Restrictions and Permits

For hunting rules and regulations, read the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.

DNR's Wildlife and Heritage Service issues special permits for hunters with disabilities, as follows:

Crossbow Permit
A special permit may be obtained to hunt with a crossbow if you cannot operate a bow due to a physical disability. A physician must certify your permit application. Any hunter that is 65 years or older does not need a crossbow disability permit to hunt with a crossbow.

Hunt from a Vehicle Permit
Hunters with mobility impairments may obtain a special permit so they may hunt from a vehicle. Applications are available from Wildlife & Heritage Service Offices or online: Hunt from a Vehicle Permit. A physician must certify your permit application. See the Guide to Public Hunting Lands for public hunting areas that can assist hunters with mobility impairments.

The permittee and one other non-hunting companion that is there to assist the permittee, are allowed inside the vehicle while beyond the entrance to the posted areas. The permit holder may not shoot or have a loaded weapon in the vehicle while the vehicle is on a public roadway or the shoulder of the roadway. These areas are restricted and designed for use only by hunters with a permit to hunt from a vehicle.

The permit holder must:

  1. Have the Hunt From Vehicle Permit on his or her person while hunting.

  2. Keep the vehicle at a complete stop with the motor turned off while shooting, aiming or firing the weapon.

  3. Allow only him or herself or other permittees and a companion to be in the vehicle while hunting. A hunter may serve as a companion but may not hunt from the vehicle.

  4. Have all weapons unloaded, including no ammunition in the magazine, while the vehicle is in motion.

  5. Not shoot or have a loaded weapon in the vehicle while the vehicle is on a public roadway or the shoulder of a roadway.

Disabled Accessible Public Hunting Lands

Maryland WMAs - Disabled Hunter Access Information
(.PDF File - Opens with Acrobat Reader)

  • Belle Grove Wildlife Management Area, (Allegany County) furbearers; forest, upland game; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle
  • C&D Canal Lands, (Cecil County) Site Permits Required. Information on all sites: 410-356-9272.
    Bethel, Upland Game, Dove, Deer-Bow Only, Waterfowl.
    Courthouse Point, forest, Upland Game; Dove; Waterfowl; Deer- Bow, Muzzleloader, Closed Firearms and Muzzleloader.
    Stemmers Run, forest, Upland Game; Dove; Deer- Bow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun. Waterfowl Blinds. Boat Access Only.
    Welch Point, forest, Upland Game; Dove; Waterfowl; Deer-Bow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun.
  • Cedarville State Forest, (Prince George's County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. No breech-loading rifles. Trapping by permit only.
  • Chapel Point State Park, (Charles County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun. Daily sign-in required. No breech-loading rifles.
  • Cunningham Falls State Park, (Frederick County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required.
  • Earlville Wildlife Management Area, (Cecil County) Furbearers; forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun. Permit required.
  • E. A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area, (Worcester County) Furbearers; forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle.
  • Elk Neck State Forest and Park, (Cecil County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun - permit required. Accessible shooting range available at Elk Neck Demonstration Forest
  • Garrett State Forest, (Garrett County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required.
  • Green Ridge State Forest, (Allegany County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Accessible shooting range
  • Greenwell State Park, (St. Mary's County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun. Permit required for deer shotgun.
  • Hugg-Thomas Wildlife Management Area, (Howard County) Furbearers, upland game; dove; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun lottery.
  • Huntingtown NRMA, (Calvert County) forest, Upland Game; Deer-Bow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun; Waterfowl Lottery; Dove. Daily Sign-In Required. Permit Required for Blinds. 301-743-5161
  • Idylwild Wildlife Management Area, (Caroline County) Furbearers; Forest, Upland Game; Waterfowl; Dove; Deer-Bow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun. 410-376-3236
  • Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area, (Washington County) Furbearers; forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle.
  • LeCompte Wildlife Management Area, (Dorchester County) Furbearers; forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle.
  • Millington Wildlife Management Area, (Kent County) Furbearers, forest, upland game; dove; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun. Daily permit required.
  • Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area, (Garrett County) Furbearers; forest, upland game; waterfowl; deer-bow, muzzleloader, shotgun, rifle.
  • Patapsco Valley State Park, ( Howard and Baltimore Counties) Deer-Bow-Permit Required.
  • Pocomoke River State Forest, (Worcester County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Deer firearms season only. Limited vehicle access.
  • Potomac State Forest, (Garrett County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required.
  • Rocky Gap State Park, (Allegany County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Certain areas bow only.
  • Savage River State Forest, (Garrett County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Public shooting range, permit required. Designated Roads and approximate lengths include: West Shale Road just north of Otto Lane (.4 mile); South of Frank Brenneman Road along Ridgeline (1.3 miles); North of Dry Run Road above Monroe Run Hollow (1 mile); East of Westernport Road just north of High Rock Tower Road (.7 mile).
  • Tuckahoe State Park, (Caroline County) Special provisions to assist mobility-impaired hunters - permit required. Daily sign-in required. No firearms prior to October 15.
  • Woodmont NRMA, (Washington County) forest Game; Deer-Bow, Muzzleloader, Shotgun, Rifle. 301-842-2155
  • Wye Island Natural Resource Management Area, (Queen Anne County) Special archery/deer hunt - permit to hunt from a vehicle required.

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Drawing by W.H. Henry

Last Updated December 10, 2008