Waterfowl Hunting Permits Available for Deal Island, Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas

Applications Taken for Somerset County Impoundments

Hunters can now submit applications for the annual permit-only waterfowl hunting days on Deal Island Wildlife Management Area and Fairmount Wildlife Management Area impoundments, located in Somerset County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Permits will be issued through a lottery drawing, with assignments based upon a hunter’s stated preference for each area and/or date. Applications must be received by Sept. 9.

Waterfowl hunting within the impoundment is by permit only on the opening days of each of the three separate splits of duck season. After that, hunting is restricted to certain days and/or holidays through the remainder of each split season.

“The impoundments at these areas are among the best-known public areas for waterfowl hunting in the state,” Game Bird Program Leader Bill Harvey said. “Recent changes in water level management, together with restrictions on boat motors have resulted in greatly improved waterfowl habitats at these locations.”

All hunters are reminded that motorized boats, except those powered by electric motors, are prohibited at the impoundments between Oct. 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources established this strategy several years ago to limit impact on important habitat.

These regulations apply only within the impoundment areas at both the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas. Boat use and waterfowl hunting outside of these restricted impoundments remains open and unchanged.

For more information, hunters should contact the Wellington Wildlife Management Area office at 410-543-8223