DNR Announces Deer Hunting Dates at Wye Island N.R.M.A

8/22/2005 - WYE ISLAND – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today the 2005-06 dates for archery and muzzleloading deer hunts at Wye Island Natural Resources Management Area (N.R.M.A.). As in the past, all hunts will be by permit only.

This year's dates for archery hunts are from Oct. 1 to 19, and Oct.25 to Nov. 23, Tuesday through Saturday only – (Sundays and Mondays are excluded). All archery permits will be issued daily on a first-come first-served basis. Permits will be limited to 25 archery deer hunters per day. Hunters must sign-in and out using the self-registration system at the Wye Island check-in station. All deer harvested at Wye Island as part of the archery hunt will be considered part of the daily and season bag limit. All deer harvested must be checked-in utilizing the new deer checking procedures established by DNR for the 2005-06 Hunting Seasons. All pertinent laws and regulations apply. Consult the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2005-06 for details.

Bag limits for the Wye Island archery hunts follow the state guidelines with the following exceptions:

	An archery hunter may hunt for and harvest antlered deer only if they have already harvested an antlerless deer in Region "B" for the 2005-06-bow season. Bowhunters must take two antlerless deer before they can take a second antlered deer.
	One of these two antlerless deer must be harvested at Wye Island NRMA during the 2005-06-bow season, before a hunter may attempt to take his second antlered deer at Wye Island.

Muzzleloading deer hunts by lottery permit will be held on Oct. 20-22 and December 5-10. Some important dates to remember during the season:

	Oct. 20, the muzzleloader hunt will be limited to “Physically Challenged Hunters.” Physically Challenged Hunter applicants must have a current DNR Hunt from Vehicle Permit or have a mobility impairment.
	Oct. 21, the muzzleloader hunt will be a ”Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Hunt.”
	Oct. 22, the muzzleloader hunt will be limited to “Junior Hunters.”

Muzzleloading applications for these three special hunts in October must be postmarked on or before Sept. 16. Permits will be selected by random drawing on Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. A $10 non-refundable application charge must accompany each muzzleloader application. One application per hunter with a maximum of three applications per group hunt – staple all group applications together. Qualified hunters can only apply for one special hunt in October.

The December Muzzleloader hunt will be held during the second week of the Deer Firearm Season, Dec 5-10. This hunt is open to all eligible hunters and is restricted to muzzleloaders only. All deer harvested at Wye Island as part of this hunt will be considered part of the daily and season bag limit for the Deer Firearm Season. Muzzleloader applications for the December hunt must be postmarked on or before Oct. 28. Permits will be selected by random drawing on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. A $10 non-refundable service charge must accompany each muzzleloader application. One application per hunter with a maximum of three applications per group hunt – staple all group applications together.

You must file a separate application for the October and December Deer Hunts

Applications are available in the Maryland Hunting and Trapping Guide 2005-06, or to receive an application send a SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED ENVELOPE to Wye Island N.R.M.A., 632 Wye Island Road, Queenstown, MD 21658. Applications can also be downloaded from the Department of Natural Resources Web site at www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/manhuntapps.asp

All deer harvested at Wye Island will be considered part of the daily and season bag limits. All pertinent laws and regulations apply. ALL deer harvested during these hunts will be checked-in utilizing the new on-line or telephone call-in procedures established by DNR for the 2005-06 hunting seasons. Consult the Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland 2005-06 for details.

For more information or details, call Wye Island N.R.M.A. at 410-827-7577 or send your email request to wye-island-nrma@dnr.state.md.us