Chesapeake Forest Hunting Lottery Now Open

Deadline for Hunt Clubs to Enter Lottery is Aug. 23

Hunt clubs interested in obtaining a hunting lease agreement on Chesapeake Forest Lands can enter a lottery for individual, non-leased tracts in Dorchester, Wicomico and Worcester counties. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will accept online entries until Aug. 23.

“Hunting is an important part of our overall land management strategy for sustaining Chesapeake Forest Lands,” Maryland Forest Service Director Don VanHassent said. “I encourage our responsible partners in the hunting community to take part in this lottery.”

The department advises entrants to visit the Chesapeake Forest tracts before making a selection, as some have limited access. Hunt clubs are expected to help maintain access roads, gates and signs along on the leased property.

Rules and guidelines for the lottery are as follows:

• Only hunt club members at least 18 years of age can participate in the lottery.
• A hunt club must have at least two members licensed to hunt in the Maryland with one person designated as the club president.
• Each member may fill out a lottery form. Only one submittal per person will be placed in the lottery.

Each entrant can choose up to four tracts for the hunting lottery. The drawing will occur at 2 p.m. Aug. 24. Winning entrances will be awarded the first available tract they choose.

The Chesapeake Forest Lands comprise of 238 parcels totaling more than 58,000 acres in five lower Eastern Shore counties. The state purchased the lands to manage and protect them and also to expand opportunities for public access for outdoor recreation like canoeing, birding, fishing and hunting.