geterdun2

hey all. my search for private land isnt going to well, so i should prepare to hunt on public land while im continuing my search. i live in Baltimore county, and last year i jus went to a few WMA's around here (elk neck state park and gwynbrook wma) and hunted ona last minute of yearthing, hoping to get lucky. this year, i want to have1 or 2lands that i can start to scout and be confident in. i want them to be under an hour away from baltimore co., b/c im going to be hunting mornings alot - staying at my house, waking up very early and driving 30-45 minutes tothe spot.i plan to do this alot, so i dont want to have to drive 2 hours. does anyone have any suggestions for good public land within 45min-hour of baltimore: land with good deer #'s, not too extreme hunting pressure, etc. i could jus look on DNR website, but they dont give a feel for what the land is like, which i was hoping to get from you. dont give me your secret spot lol, just a general idea. thanks a milllion, i need to start scouting soon [8D]

DougMD

Fort Meade (Northern Tract of the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge) is less than an hour from you, 8,600 acres, from Baltimore go down 95 to 32 east to right on 198, 1/2 mile on left down Bald Eagle drive. If it is easier for you to get on 295, that's even closer. Gun qualification is August 26, and another around Sept. 16, paper plate at 40 yards3 out of 5 shotgun and 2 out of 3 muzz. Bow qualifications are almost every evening after 6 and Saturdays something like 10 to 2.

Check out the website: www.mnha.net

chazspot

I concur with what DougMD says. Fort Meade is crawling with deer, probably some big bucks too.

You might want to also check out Liberty Resevoir. You will need to register:

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/lnp.asp

I was driving south from Liberty Resevoir on Rt. 32 this past Sunday and saw two VERY nice bucks on the side of the road grazing. Both wallhangers.

geterdun2

yea i might check out both. fort meade has a 6 pt. minimum (learned that from my man dougmd last year). i also have heard good things about pretty boy. im thinking thats about 30 minutes from my house. last year there was a deadline to register by, but i think they have elimiated that this year, you jus have to fill out a form and carry it with you. has anyone ever hunted here? killed any deer? im would defintely like to give it a try. i also might hunt at elk neck state park, as i saw alot of deer sign there last year, actually tons of it, and saw a few deer (no real bucks tho). i appreciate the info i jus want to be sure that im ready in a month when the season opens. in the past years, i have sort of "wong" it and jus hunted when and where i could, hoping a deer would walk by me, this year i want to be sure that deer are in the area ya know, and feel more confident. thanks alot for the info guys, im going to check out both spots online and see what i can find

fuzzjocky2

the wssc resevoirs are pretty good bets if you are looking to arrow a deer last time i hunted it (hunted it alot a few seasons ago)I sawa lot of deer $30 for yearly permit if i remember right

DougMD

Let me know if you plan to qualify at Fort Meade with shotgun and/or muzzleloader. You could meet me at my house early and ride with me and my older son. He won't be hunting for years, but likes to go and help out carrying stuff.

JesterUSCG

I'll be there for the 15/16 Sept Bow and gun quals.

geterdun2

hey guys, for liberty, do i need to send something in to register, or do i jus carry the form i must fill out. i says

"Note: The DNR Copy of the Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs Bowhunter Registration and final date to register have been eliminated. Hunters are still required to complete the Bowhunter Permit Registration. The registration permit must be in your possession while hunting on these areas. All other rules for bowhunting on Liberty and Prettyboy Reservoirs remain in effect."

does this mean i dont have to send anything in?

geterdun2

also, out of curiosity, has anyone ever hunted elk neck state forest? if so, how did ya do?

chazspot

Correct, just fill out, print it out, and carry with you in addition to hunting license.

Nope, never have. Too many deer here in Montgomery County to chase