Tight Pattern
Elite Refuge Member
Heard that Blackwater will be opening up certain areas for waterfowl hunting , anybody no what the details are ? I've read what they had on their website but it does really provide much info.
Blackwater Refuge Waterfowl Hunting
- Thread starter Tight Pattern
- Start date
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jkryspin
Elite Refuge Member
United States Department of the Interior
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex
BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
2145 Key Wallace Drive
Cambridge, MD 21613
TEL: 410-228-2677
(FAX: 410-228-3261)
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2008
INFORMATION: Maggie Briggs
410-228-2677
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Initiates Waterfowl Hunt
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) that was completed in
2006 identified two new hunting opportunities for the refuge. These include a waterfowl hunt and a spring
turkey hunt. These two hunts have completed the required planning process and were approved through the
Federal Register in late August.
Full implementation of the waterfowl hunt will be difficult for the 2008-2009 hunting season due to the timing
of the approval process. Refuge Manager Baird is working closely with the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources and the Maryland Waterfowler?s Association to provide some opportunity for waterfowl hunting this
year. Information regarding the Spring Turkey Hunt will be released at a later date.
For the first year of the refuge waterfowl hunt program, hunting will be limited to sites on Barren Island, Spring
Island, and the Bishopshead Division. A Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Permit will be required by all hunters.
Hunting will be by boat access only and on a first come, first serve basis. Each island/division will have 2 sites.
A party of up to four individuals will be allowed at each site. Hunters must remain within 50 yards of the GPS
coordinate of the site. They can hunt from a temporary blind or from a boat directly adjacent to shore.
This year it will only be a half season, non-transferable pass for $15 per person. Beginning December 1, 2008,
permits can be purchased at the refuge Visitor Center on Key Wallace Drive between the hours of 8:00 am to
4:00 pm on week days and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.
All hunting will follow Maryland State regulations and bag limits. In addition to a refuge waterfowl hunting
permit, a hunter must be in possession of a valid Maryland State waterfowl hunting license, Federal Duck
Stamp, Maryland State Duck Stamp, and photo identification. The hunt season will be Wednesdays and
Saturdays during December 16, 2008 ? January 24, 2009 and includes New Years Day January 1, 2009 and
Martin Luther King Day, January 21, 2009. If you have any further questions, please call 410-228-5018.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish,
wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and
natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work
and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/pdf/waterfowl_hunt_2008.pdf
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Chesapeake Marshlands NWR Complex
BLACKWATER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
2145 Key Wallace Drive
Cambridge, MD 21613
TEL: 410-228-2677
(FAX: 410-228-3261)
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2008
INFORMATION: Maggie Briggs
410-228-2677
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Initiates Waterfowl Hunt
The Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) that was completed in
2006 identified two new hunting opportunities for the refuge. These include a waterfowl hunt and a spring
turkey hunt. These two hunts have completed the required planning process and were approved through the
Federal Register in late August.
Full implementation of the waterfowl hunt will be difficult for the 2008-2009 hunting season due to the timing
of the approval process. Refuge Manager Baird is working closely with the Maryland Department of Natural
Resources and the Maryland Waterfowler?s Association to provide some opportunity for waterfowl hunting this
year. Information regarding the Spring Turkey Hunt will be released at a later date.
For the first year of the refuge waterfowl hunt program, hunting will be limited to sites on Barren Island, Spring
Island, and the Bishopshead Division. A Refuge Waterfowl Hunt Permit will be required by all hunters.
Hunting will be by boat access only and on a first come, first serve basis. Each island/division will have 2 sites.
A party of up to four individuals will be allowed at each site. Hunters must remain within 50 yards of the GPS
coordinate of the site. They can hunt from a temporary blind or from a boat directly adjacent to shore.
This year it will only be a half season, non-transferable pass for $15 per person. Beginning December 1, 2008,
permits can be purchased at the refuge Visitor Center on Key Wallace Drive between the hours of 8:00 am to
4:00 pm on week days and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends.
All hunting will follow Maryland State regulations and bag limits. In addition to a refuge waterfowl hunting
permit, a hunter must be in possession of a valid Maryland State waterfowl hunting license, Federal Duck
Stamp, Maryland State Duck Stamp, and photo identification. The hunt season will be Wednesdays and
Saturdays during December 16, 2008 ? January 24, 2009 and includes New Years Day January 1, 2009 and
Martin Luther King Day, January 21, 2009. If you have any further questions, please call 410-228-5018.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish,
wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and
natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work
and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
http://www.fws.gov/blackwater/pdf/waterfowl_hunt_2008.pdf
BuzzTheDecoys
Elite Refuge Member
Not the greatest spots but an excellent start. More to come !
7bartman
Elite Refuge Member
Yeah, I'm going to hunt wildlife drive tomorrow. I've be seeing alot of ducks there.
fur-fins-feathers
Elite Refuge Member
Those three sites have some nasty open water so if you use them be careful and have a seaworthy boat.
Rockfish
Elite Refuge Member
Has anybody else noticed that Jerky is just a wealth of knowledge when it comes to this stuff. 
Your like our new grass hopper.
Your like our new grass hopper.
Dizzy Duck
Elite Refuge Member
,,,,,,,,if it's been anything like the past four weekends there. Very Slim Pickens. We've been down photographing there and usually start at Bombay in DE. and end up at Blackwater on the way home. Very Dissapointing.. Perhaps they'll come later after all of the Eagles leave! There are a hundred or so of them. You reckon that might be the reason for no ducks considering Eagles feed on them on a regular basis...
Dizzy
Dizzy
Trailman
Elite Refuge Member
Gotta love that
It's great to see your name in print and not have it be a police report
BuzzTheDecoys
Elite Refuge Member
Tight Pattern if you are a member of MDWFA you would have recieved an email update with the info and some other interesting details about the opening. Become informed.
Become informed.Tight Pattern
Elite Refuge Member
Where the heck are these locations, I have check my maps and can't find them ! So if I was to hunt one of these sites, what kind of setup ? Puddles ducks or more on the side of divers ?
