Lottery Firearms Program Regulations
- Firearms legal for use in this program:
- Rifles that fire straight-walled cartridges, .350 -.500 calibers (Rifles that fire bottleneck cartridges are NOT permitted)
- Shotguns, 12-20 gauge, are legal for use in the program (Rifled Slugs and Sabots only)
- No handguns permitted
- Do not shoot at deer beyond 80 yards. All shots fired must be directed to suitable, safe backstop and at stationary targets (deer only) less than 80 yards away, only.
- Maryland State requirement of hunter, fluorescent orange or pink must be worn At All Times. NO EXCUSES (Wearing BOTH hat and vest/jacket is recommended).
- Use of treestands/saddles is required at all managed hunt park locations, with the exception of Little Bennett Regional Park. (Please notify staff if you plan to hunt from the ground)
- Treestands/saddles must be commercially manufactured, portable in nature and the use of tree steps, spikes, etc. that may damage the tree is prohibited. (Treestands may not be placed in the park prior to one’s assigned hunt date)
- Commercially manufactured safety harness is to be worn while ascending, hunting and descending from a treestand, and a haul line must be used to raise and lower unloaded firearms.
- Where treestands/saddles are required, a minimum hunting height of ten feet off the ground must be maintained. All discharge of firearms is to occur at this minimum hunting height.
- For safety reasons, use of a flashlight to approach hunting site is required.
- Hunting may only occur from specified, assigned hunt site location. Hunting away from one’s assigned site, intentional or not, may result in dismissal from the program.
- Hunting/firearm discharge is to occur no greater than ten yards (ten paces) from assigned hunting site marker, unless otherwise instructed by Wildlife Staff. (Also see treestand shooting requirements above)
- Other than during navigation and return to one’s vehicle, participants may not carry their firearm away from their assigned site unless specifically instructed to do so by Wildlife Staff. Possession of a loaded firearm away from one’s site may result in
dismissal from the program. - Legal shooting hours are from one half hour prior to sunrise until 11:30AM. Participants may NOT discharge firearms after 11:30AM unless specifically instructed by Wildlife Staff or Park Police.
- Do not shoot at any deer that is at or above the horizon line or is running or bounding. No rapid fire and/or “herd shooting.”
- Harvest requirements, including bag limits, tagging and reporting, and Antler Restrictions (at least a 15 inch inside antler spread), are noted in Participant instructional materials and e-Learning Course materials and in accordance with MNCPPC, Montgomery Parks and DNR permit specifications. Any deviation from these requirements will result in disciplinary action including: verbal warning, confiscation of antlers and/or carcasses, written Park Police Warning, Written Park Police Citation and/or removal from the Managed Deer Hunting Program.
- M-NCPPC Hunting Permits will be issued on the day of the hunt and must be carried at all times while participating in Managed Hunt Activities. (Permits must be returned prior to departure)
- All litter, including deer parts other than viscera, is to be removed from the park or disposed of in a designated receptacle. Viscera must be moved away from roads and trails and covered with sticks and/or leaves. Please make every effort to recover any empty shells and trash. Collection of any non-affiliated litter is also appreciated.
- Park in designated areas only.
- Report to staff all incidents of unsafe hunting practices, illegal hunting, and/or injury. Do not tamper with any hunting equipment that may be found on park property.
- Any intentional act of deceit or dishonesty will result in dismissal from the program.