Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Deer Hunt Permits
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located 12 miles south of Cambridge, Maryland, was established in 1933 as a refuge for migratory waterfowl. The refuge includes more than 33,000 acres, composed mainly of rich tidal marsh characterized by fluctuating water levels and variable salinity. Other habitats include freshwater ponds, mixed evergreen and deciduous forests, cropland and managed impoundments that are seasonally flooded for waterfowl.
Blackwater NWR is home to the largest natural population of formerly endangered Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrels and is also home to one of the largest breeding population of American bald eagles on the East Coast.
The refuge contains one-third of Maryland's tidal wetlands, which makes it an ecologically important area within the state. These wetlands also provide storm protection to lower Dorchester County, including the town of Cambridge.
Permit & Season Information
This permit authorizes the permit holder to hunt the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge for both white-tailed deer and sika deer only. The refuge offers archery, limited and open muzzleloader, limited and open shotgun, and primitive hunts as well as special disabled and youth hunt permits. Taking and/or collecting any other wildlife or plants is a violation of refuge regulations. Permits are only made through Recreation.gov. The refuge will not sell permits in-person or by phone.
Open hunt reservations can be reserved during the open hunt season and will close on the last day of the open hunt at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Permit holder, including assistants and adult supervisors (for youth hunts), must always have an electronic or signed permit on their person while hunting or assisting a hunter on the refuge.
This permit does not authorize turkey or waterfowl hunting. Hunters should visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/blackwater/visit-us/activities/hunting to learn about these hunting opportunities.
Need to Know
Permit
You must have either an electronic permit on your device or you must print and sign your permit and have it on you while scouting and hunting. The refuge will not print permits.
Accessing the Refuge
• Commercial map applications are not to be relied upon as legal public land boundaries or evidence of open/closure to hunting. Hunters are responsible for following regulations, hunting in designated hunt areas, and being aware of closed areas according to the Avenza supported refuge map.
• Only participants who possess an authorized hunt permit will be allowed to enter hunt areas. No unpermitted assistants allowed.
• Hunters may access the refuge on hunt days up to 3 hours before legal sunrise and must exit the refuge within 3 hours after legal sunset (including parking lots).
• Vehicles may only be operated on designated roads and parking areas indicated on the refuge Deer Hunt Map. Vehicles may not exceed 15 MPH on any refuge road. Parking in front of gates or impeding traffic is prohibited; all wheels must be completely off the roadway.
• The use of ATVs, motorized off-road vehicles, and amphibious vehicles are prohibited on the refuge except at Hunt Areas U1 and Q2 which are designated for hunters with a permanent disability. See Designated Disabled Hunt Areas – U1 and Q2 in the refuge hunt brochure for regulations on ATV use in those units.
• Bicycles, including e-bikes, are authorized only on designated roads and trails to access hunting areas. See refuge Deer Hunting web page for more information on e-bikes.
• During archery and open hunts, boats may only be launched from private land or the Route 335 soft launch to access areas B1, M1, R, S, T and X. Boat access is not allowed during limited hunts.
• Hunters are required to receive permission from the refuge manager or designee prior to entering a closed area to retrieve game or a non-hunt day.
• Hunters may only enter the area assigned to them during the limited hunts.
Required Documents
Hunters are required to possess an electronic or printed copy of a valid Maryland hunting license and all required stamps, an original valid government-issued photo identification (no copies or photos), and a valid hunting permit (printed or electronic copy) issued by Recreation.gov on their person at all times during refuge hunting and scouting days. The corresponding State stamps are required to participate in the archery and muzzleloader hunts. Hunters hunting from a vehicle must possess a MD DNR issued universal disability pass (formally a “hunt from vehicle” permit).
Purchase of permit requires your Maryland DNR ID number. Be ready to enter upon checkout. Do not enter any other state licensing numbers. See example in the media gallery images.
Rules and Regulations
View the complete Blackwater NWR Hunt Permit Hunting Regulations , which include details about the following refuge regulation topics:
Scouting
Hunt Area U1 and Q2
Youth Hunt
Tree Stands, Blinds, and Trail Markers
Other Regulations including:
Only antlerless deer may be harvested on Oct. 24-25, 2025.
No Sunday hunting, except for the second day of the youth hunt (Nov. 16).
Tagging and Checking Regulations
Failure to abide by any Federal laws, State laws, or the terms and conditions under which a hunt permit is issued may result in the revocation of the permit and hunting privileges.
Limitations
Archery Season
Areas U and B1 are closed to archery during the youth hunt (Nov. 15th)
Cannot hunt B3 or D3 at any time
No Sunday archery hunting
Open Muzzleloader (Early Season)
No hunting in B3 on Oct. 18 and 24-25, 2025
Open Muzzleloader (Late Season) – No hunting in B3
Limited Shotgun – No hunting in B3
Open Shotgun (Early Season) – No hunting in B3 on Dec. 6, 12-13, 2025
Open Shotgun (Late Season) – No hunting in B3 on Jan. 10 and 24, 2026
Youth Hunt – Only areas B1 and U are open for youth hunts.
Area U1 is designated for hunters with a permanent disability.
Area Q2 is limited to six hunters with permanent disabilities at a single time. Hunters must sign in/out of the area.
Law Enforcement
To report crimes or violations including illegal hunting or fishing, collection of wildlife resources, or other suspicious activity on the refuge, call Federal Wildlife Officer Coles at (443) 7377678.
Blackwater NWR does not rehabilitate wildlife.
For injured birds call Tri-State Bird Rescue at (302) 737-9543.
For all other injured animals contact MD Department of Natural Resources at (877) 463-6497.
The one exception is all injured or dead bald or golden eagles, please contact Officer Coles immediately.
Fee Policy
There is a $6.00 reservation fee for all permits. This is nonrefundable!
Permit Fees
Open Archery - $20/person
Limited Muzzleloader - $10/person
Open (Early Season) Muzzleloader - $20/person
Open (Late Season) Muzzleloader - $20/person
Limited Shotgun - $10/person
Open (Early Season) Shotgun - $40/person
Open (Late Season) Shotgun - $30/person
Primitive - $20/person
Youth Hunt - $0
*Note: Fees are reduced by ½ for Interagency Senior Pass or Interagency Access Pass holders. Pass numbers must be provided. See pass image to locate the number.
Sportsman's Package for Blackwater. This will include all dates for:
Archery
Early and late open muzzleloader
Early and late open shotgun
There will be one $12 transaction fee for this permit. The limited and primitive hunts will still need to be purchased separately.
Cancellation Policy
Change Policy
There are no modifications allowed for this permit.
Cancellation Policy
Customers, the call center, and the facility can cancel a reservation at any time. No refunds are provided for cancellations.
Transfer Policy
The permit is nontransferrable.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds allowed for this permit.
Discounts
The following Federal Interagency passes provide a 50% discount for the pass holder. Note the reservation fee will remain at $6.00.
- Interagency Access Pass (formerly known as the Golden Access Pass)
- Interagency Senior Pass (formerly known as the Golden Senior Pass)
Contact Information
Mailing Address
2145 Key Wallace Drive Cambridge MD 21613
Phone Number
For the Recreation.gov help center call (877) 444-6777. Hearing-impaired refuge visitors may call the Maryland Relay Service at TDD/(800) 735-2258
