Archery Regulations for Managed Hunting Program:
- 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
- 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. However, if residents offer additional parking or hunting access, hunters may use the additional access. Hunters must be prepared to substantiate this permission if asked. Solicitation of residents not permitted.
- Visible display of parking permit required in vehicle while on location
- Visible display of Program I.D. (Permit badge) at all times while on the ground
- Hunting permitted to occur in designated areas only, as per issued maps
- No use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) permitted
- Group leader or designee is responsible for scheduling and ensuring compliance among group members
- 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-assigned, unique identification information (Using permanent marker and/or provided labels)
- 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
- Treestands left in trees, in the park, overnight must be marked with program ID and rendered inaccessible to the public. Hang-on style, climbing stands and saddles permitted ONLY.
- 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)
- Limited use of attractants is permitted
- Hunting participants may not shoot onto from or across marked trails designed for human use
- 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. 1 antlerless, 1st antlered, 2nd antlerless, 2nd antlered and so on…). OR an equivalent ratio of antlerless to antlered with at least 1 antlerless harvested prior to the first antlered deer harvest). Note – eligibility for antlered buck harvest is on a per-park basis, maximum 1 antlered deer per day.
- Participants required to check-in with Park Police Dispatch upon arrival, and check-out upon departure via online form
- 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)
- In the case of a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and Park Police Dispatch emergency line (301-949-8010). For other urgent matters, call Park Police Dispatch emergency line only
- 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
Montgomery Parks reserves the right to change these regulations, as necessary and appropriate, at any time. ONLY approved, qualified, and permit-issued program participants are authorized to hunt in designated Montgomery Parks. Hunting authorization for participants and/or groups may be revoked, at the discretion of Park Staff, at any time.