(Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, North Germantown Greenway/Great Seneca Stream Valley Park Unit 2, Great Seneca Stream Valley Park Units 3-4/Goshen Branch Stream Valley Park)
The Department of Parks reserves the right to change these regulations, as necessary and appropriate, at any time. Hunting authorization for participants and/or groups may be revoked, at the discretion of Park Staff, at any time.
Regulations:
- Hunting of white-tailed deer, only
- Modern archery equipment, only (compound bows and crossbows)
- Hunting in accordance with Maryland State and Montgomery County laws and regulations for Archery Hunting and weapons discharge
- Scouting activities may be conducted during daylight hours from August – February during any day of the week; parking in designated areas only and parking permit must be visible
- Hunting permitted to occur during designated timeframes only (Monday thru Saturday) September – January
- Hunters must wear florescent orange or pink in accordance with state regulations during any State muzzleloader or firearms season (including Youth Days)
- Parking to occur in designated areas, only
- Parking will be limited to a specific number of vehicles per each designated access point; refer to guidelines and maps for details; under no circumstances will these limitations be exceeded
- Visible display of Lottery Archery Managed Deer Hunting Program Parking Permit required inside the vehicle while on location for hunting and/or scouting purposes
- Solicitation of residents for permission to access Park property via private property and/or hunt private property is prohibited.
- Hunting permitted to occur in designated areas only, as per issued maps
- No use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) permitted
- Visible display of Lottery Archery Managed Deer Hunting Program identification at all times while on the ground
- Arrows/bolts must be quivered at all times while on the ground
- Hunting participant equipment (most importantly, arrows and bolts) must be visibly marked with program participant number (Using permanent marker and/or provided labels)
- Trail cameras (with participant labels) may be utilized beginning August 1 and must be removed by February 29th (use is at own risk of participant)
- Hunting to occur from portable, commercially manufactured treestands/saddles only(minimum platform height of 10 feet from the ground)
- Hunting participants must wear full-body safety harness, attached to tree or life-line at all times, while climbing, hunting and descending
- Hang-on style, climbing stands and saddles permitted ONLY. Treestands must be removed at the end of each hunt and are not to be left in the tree or in the park unattended at any time.
- Use of face paint is prohibited (use of facemasks allowed while in treestand, only)
- Filming of hunting activities is prohibited (use of trail cameras for scouting is permitted, at participant’s own risk)
- Baiting is prohibited for this program
- Hunting participants may not shoot onto, from, or across marked trails designed for human use. Remain discrete.
- Maximum shooting range is 30 yards
- Stationary, broadside and/or quartering away, vital area shots, only (No shots intentionally directed to head, neck or rump areas)
- Recovery of harvested deer (and pursuit of any injured deer) on/from any adjacent private property requires consultation/assistance of Park Police 301-949-8010
- Follow-up shots on the ground are not to be taken without prior consent or assistance of Park Police (or Wildlife Staff if available)
- Tracking dogs may be used only when absolutely necessary and must remain on a leash
- Evisceration of deer must occur away from roads, trails, and high visibility areas (Viscera to be covered with sticks and/or leaf litter)
- Deer carcasses must be fully covered during removal, loading and transport process (No ATV use permitted. Carts or sleds recommended)
- De-cocking of crossbows must be done in a safe, discreet manner, away from, and out of sight of, roads, trails and the public
- Absolutely no littering of any kind. This includes scent lure containers or any other hunting aid.
- Bag Limits: Unlimited antlerless deer. At least 1 antlerless deer must be harvested prior to the harvest of each antlered deer for a maximum of 4 antlered deer (e.g., antlerless, antlered, antlerless, antlered, etc. 2 antlerless/2 antlered etc. OR an equivalent ratio of antlerless to antlered with at least 1 antlerless harvested prior to the first antlered deer harvest). NOTE: Only 1 antlered deer may be harvested per day.
- Mandatory reporting of harvest, observational data, citizen interactions and any incidents within 24 hours of hunting activity (Online “Archery Field Notes & Harvest Log” must be utilized)
- Mandatory call-in/call-out to Park Police dispatch at the beginning and end of each hunt day
- In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For other urgent matters, call Park Police Dispatch 301-949-3010
- Avoid negative interaction with members of the public. Any case of harassment must be reported immediately to Park Police and recorded in the “Archery Field Notes & Harvest Log” online form