Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Turkey Hunt Lottery and 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 allows hunters to harvest one beared turkey during the spring turkey season. Daily shooting hours from April 22 through May 7 are one-half hour before sunrise to noon. Daily shooting hours from May 11 through May 21 are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Shooting hours during the youth hunt on April 13th will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Need to Know
Permit and License Requirements
You must have your permit on you. Either print the permit or download it to your phone so you can presnt the permit to an officer if requested. The refuge will not print permits.
Each hunter must have the following in his/her possession while hunting and scouting, and display them upon request.
- A valid Maryland hunting license.
- Valid government-issued photo identification.
- Valid refuge turkey hunt permit.
All hunters must obtain a permit regardless of age. Permits are non-transferable. Each permitted hunter may be accompanied by a non-hunting assistant.
The non-hunting assistant must remain within sight and normal voice contact of hunter. Non-hunting assistants must not be afield with a hunting firearm, bow, or other hunting device, must read the turkey hunting brochure, and must sign the permit of the person they are assisting in ink. Non-hunting assistants must possess a valid government-issued photo identification on their person. Non-hunting assistants who call and/or set up decoys must possess a valid Maryland hunting license.
Access the Refuge
- Hunters may not enter the refuge before 4:00 a.m. on hunt days and must exit the refuge no later than two hours after legal shooting hours.
- The use of bicycles is permitted on established roads and trails.
- Access by boat and the use of ATVs is prohibited.
- The maximum speed limit on all refuge unpaved roads is 15 MPH.
- Parked vehicles may not impede any road traffic.
- Parking in front of any gate in prohibited.
- You must notify and receive permission from a Service law enforcement officer, refuge manager, or designee if you need to enter a refuge closed area or another hunting area for which you do not possess a valid permit to retrieve game.
Area B1 Access Regulations (Only Available to Hunters with Permananet Disabilities)
We only allow hunters with a permanent disability to operate ATV/ORVs. If the hunter with a disability is unable to physically do so, the assistant may operate the ATV/ORV.
- Assistants may not operate an ATV/ORV without being accompanied on the same ATV/ORV by a hunter with a disability.
- We only allow ATV/ORVs to be operated on established routes of travel and around field edges.
- We do not allow ATV/ORVs to be operated in excess of 10 MPH.
- All ATV operators and passengers must wear a DOT approved helmet and eye protection.
Hunters with Permanent Disabilities
Hunters wishing to qualify for the hunt in Area B1 must have a Federal Interagency Access Pass prior to applying. Hunters with a permanent disability may have a non-hunting assistant as described above. We require assistants to remain within sight and normal voice contact. To hunt from a vehicle, including ATVs, hunters require U (universal disability pass) designation on MD State hunting license or a handicap placard and a universal disability pass (formerly known as a hunt from vehicle permit), and a Federal Interagency Access Pass.
Youth Turkey Hunt
Youth hunters must be 16 years of age or younger to participate and must be accompanied by only one licensed or licensed exempt, unarmed adult, 21 years of age or older.
General Conditions and Regulations
View the complete Blackwater NWR Turkey Hunt Regulations, which include details about the following refuge regulations :
- Bag Limits
- Scouting
- Blinds
- Tagging and Checking
- Other Regulations
Law Enforcement
- For violations including trespassing, illegal hunting or fishing, illegal collection of wildlife resources, and any other suspicious activity on the refuge please call Federal Wildlife Officer Coles at (410) 221-8814.
- Blackwater NWR does not rehabilitate wildlife.
- For injured birds call Tri-State Bird Rescue at (302) 737-9543.
- For all other injured animals contact Maryland 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 at (410) 221-8814.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee: $6.00 non-refundable reservation fee per permit
Recreation Fee: $10 for the Turkey Hunt Permit; Fees are reduced by ½ for all federal Senior Pass or Access Pass holders. Pass number must be provided when applying for your permit.
Fees are non-refundable.
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. If a reservation is cancelled, that hunting opportunity will become available on a first-come, first-served basis through Recreation.gov
Transfer Policy
The permit is non-transferrable.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds allowed for this permit.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
2145 Key Wallace Drive Cambridge MD 21613
The Visitor Center is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Monday's and all federal holidays. Check the website for more information.
Phone Number
(410) 228-2677
