The Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary’s County and the Department of Recreation and Parks announce that applications for bow hunting permits are now being accepted for the County managed Elms hunting area. This area is part of the overall 1020 acre Elms property which is owned by the State of Maryland and of which 476 acres is leased to the County for an Environmental Education Center and Elms Beach Park.  Eighty-five (85) acres of the County managed area is being made available for bow hunting for deer on a one-year trial basis.

To apply for an annual permit, hunters must provide a 2010-2011 Maryland Hunting License number, address, date of birth, telephone number(s) and vehicle tag number(s).  Hunters may download an application at http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/recreate and mail, fax or apply in person to St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks, P.O. Box 653, 23150 Leonard Hall Drive, Leonardtown, MD 20650, Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. There is no fee for the County hunting permit.

Some facts to remember:
• Only bow hunting for deer will be allowed on this 85-acre site.  The annual deer bow hunting season is generally between September 15 and January 31 each year. Check the State DNR website for specific dates for bow hunting.

• Hunter access to this site is from the Elms Beach Park entrance road only.  Hunters information board, kiosk and small parking area near Bay Forest Road are available for hunter use.  Hunters are not allowed to access the site from the State of Maryland managed hunting area.

• No more than six (6) bow hunters are allowed on the site at any given time.  This will be monitored by a daily hunter sign-in sheet, on an honor system basis, and will be monitored periodically by R&P staff.

• To hunt on this site, hunters must have a valid Maryland hunters’ license; a permit from R&P displayed on the vehicle dash; and sign in and sign out at the information kiosk.

• Permission to hunt does not include permission to trap, target shoot, build tree stands, camp, build fires or litter.  Failure to comply with these rules may result in a fine and/or suspension from the program.

For more information on registration, please call the R&P main office at (301) 475-4200 extension 1800 or 1801. For information on the site or rules and regulations, please call (301) 863-8400 extension 3570, during the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 3:30 P.M.