Lottery Applications for Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas Now Available

Hunters can now apply to take part in the annual permit-only waterfowl hunting days at the Deal Island and Fairmount wildlife management area (WMA) impoundments in Somerset County.

Waterfowl hunting within the managed impoundments is by permit only, and is valid only for the opening day of each of the three separate splits of duck season. After each opening day, hunting is restricted to select days of the week and/or select holidays through the remainder of each split season. The schedule of open hunting days can be found in the 2015-2016 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.

Applications to hunt during one of the permit-only dates can be downloaded here and must be returned prior to September 11, 2015. Permits will be issued through a lottery drawing, with assignments based on the hunters’ stated preference for each area and/or date.

The Department of Natural Resources reminds all impoundment users that the use of motorized boats, except those powered by electric motors, will again be prohibited at Deal Island and Fairmount WMA impoundments between October 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. The department established the revised management strategy two years ago to limit stressors to important habitats and improve hunting conditions.

The motorized boat restrictions and schedule of open waterfowl hunting days apply to the managed impoundment areas only. Boat use and waterfowl hunting outside of the impoundments on these WMAs remains open and unchanged from prior seasons.

For more information, contact the Wellington WMA office at 410-543-8223.