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New to Maryland, hunting from the shore

3K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Ubes the Dog 
#1 ·
Hey Folks,

I just moved to Frederick, MD from Colorado. I don't have a boat so I am having trouble "scratching" my duck hunting "itch" without a boat. When I lived in Colorado I found plenty of places to hunt ducks from the shore of rivers or reservoirs. I've tried McKee Beshers and couldn't believe how crowded that place is. Anyone know of any public lands where you can hunt from the shore without a boat? I'm willing to drive to escape the crowds. (I don't expect anyone to give up their "honey hole", just looking for someone to point me in the right direction).

Thank you all.
 
#2 ·
Welcome to Maryland. Although shore hunting for waterfowl in Maryland is tough, it is not impossible. You just have to know where to go. Before I list some suggestions I would tell you to invest in a canoe if possible. Just having a canoe will open up MANY more opportunities than just hunting from shore. Check on Craigslist for used canoes. You can typically get a used canoe, paddles, life jackets, etc for only a few hundred dolllars. The Upper Potomac River is a great place for hunting waterfowl if you have a small boat or canoe.

The only two public places that I know of near you are:
Frederick City Watershed (many small wooded ponds you can hunt)
Prather's Neck WMA (you can hunt the Potomac while on shore here)
 
#3 ·
You dont happen to drive a suburban do you? I noticed someone moved into my GFs neighborhood with one with out of state plates a few months ago with DU sticker on the back. And someone else moved into my parents neighborhood with a ton of fowl stickers on their truck too. Im slowly getting surrounded hahaha. Welcome in any case bud
 
#4 ·
Thanks MdMallard. I'll look into getting a canoe. I know I'll use it to fish in the spring too, so I can tell the wife it will be money well spent. :wink:

PSUbuzz: Thanks for the welcome. I don't drive a Suburban, I drive an Outback (the unofficial state car of Colorado). I have seen a lot of trucks with DU stickers in Frederick too. It's nice to be surrounded by like minded people.

I spent some time checking out the dnr website and saw that it says "Limited waterfowl hunting is offered" at Indian Springs WMA in Washington County. I think I will go check it out this weekend and just walk around. Anyone ever hunt Indian Springs?

Thanks again.
 
#5 ·
Indian Springs and the only area I know of is Blairs Valley lake and it's Probably been pounded once and anything there chased off.

Prathers neck is a nice place, but I would say it's better for deer and turkey hunting. That is one of the deep water spots as it is above Dam 5. The shores there are really steep and don't offer much area to hunt from and the bank drops off real fast meaning you are swimming for birds if you don't have a dog. This area is better hunted with a boat, but 1/2 the WVA shore is covered in houses and camp ground and you have to shoot at them to hunt the MD side. This cuts off a lot of shore line you can hunt from, without involving calls to the police. :) The birds seem to know to hang out around the campground and house is safe too.
 
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