Frequently Asked Questions

How much are permits? See Hunting Permits for details.

Can I hunt with a bow during firearm and muzzleloader seasons?  PRR follows Maryland's "lesser weapon rule" and you may hunt with a bow (vertical or cross) during these seasons under the following conditions: 

• • During muzzle loader only season you must have a muzzle loader stamp (state regulation). 

  • You must wear orange/pink at all times. 

  • For CT Lottery Hunts the "lesser weapon rule" does NOT apply, you may only use a bow at the 3 designated bow sites (see the CT rules in the guidelines).  

Can I use a rifle to hunt deer?  We follow Maryland regulations for Region B regarding the use of straight-walled rifles.  Common straight-walled rifles include 350 Legend, 360 Buckhammer, 405 Winchester, 444 Marlin, 450 Bushmaster.  If your cartridge has a bottle neck - it is prohibited at the Refuge.  

Can I use an air gun at PRR?  We follow Maryland regulations for air guns.

Can I hunt with a Falcon?  YES!  Falconry is permitted at PRR.  If you bring your falcon, please call ahead - the FWS would love to get pictures.  (Ok, this isn't frequently asked - but it's pretty cool.)

Can I scout on Sundays, federal holidays, and the off-season? The short answer is "no."  When the HCS is closed (Sundays, federal holidays, and off-season), you must follow the Refuge's rules for General Visitors - that means you must stay on the roads and trails, in other words, you cannot enter the woods.  Read the PRR rules here.  Call the FWS PRR Visitor Center if you have questions about their rules.  

Can I take two antlered deer on the same day? No. Maryland rule is one antlered deer per day.  This rule applies for lottery hunts too.

Can I call from South Tract or Schafer Farm and check in by phone?  No. We must track all hunters using our check-in process.  We tried the call-in process in the past and hunters forgot to call and check-out. That resulted in late nights for our HCS managers tracking down hunters who were already home.

Can I use bait? No.  Baiting is prohibited for all hunting activities.

Can I use a trail camera? Trail cameras are permitted while hunting only.  Law enforcement will confiscate and investigate trail cameras that are found without their owner near by.

Can I bring an observer?  Yes. You are permitted to have up to 2 observers with you while hunting.  Observers may not handle the weapon or shoot.

Do I need my own tree stand for a lottery hunt?  Yes, you must bring your own tree stand.  Disabled hunters at the two disabled hunter designated sites may hunt from the ground.

Do I need to have an MD Shooter Qualification to particpate in Lottery hunts?  No.  Lottery hunts follow the PRR rules - no qualification card required.

Why can't we hunt on Sundays? The USFWS, like MD DNR, has to balance the interest of hunters with those of recreational visitors (hikers, horseback riders, bird watchers, bikers, etc) who use the refuge/parks.  It's a wildlife refuge and a day without disruption is actually good for the wildlife.  It's economics - we would have to hire another intern to cover the additional shifts and that would increase permit fees.  (That's the short answer.)

When will the trees blocking the ST-D access road be cleared? A component of the USFWS refuge management plan is to allow the forest to defragment - that is to allow the forest to fill in unnecessary "cuts" in the forest canopy.  Not all of this road is needed for access and the USFWS wants the area beyond the trees to defragment.

What is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything else? 42.