To: City Council
From: John L. Fitzwater Acting City Manager
Subject: Belt Woods Hunting
Date: November 16, 2016
City Council has received concerns about hunting activities on the Belt Woods property located in the northwest quadrant of Church Road and Route 214. In October 2016, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened Belt Woods to public hunting for the first time.
The following e-mail was sent by DNR to hunters describing this opportunity.
“There is a new public hunting opportunity available in Prince George’s County. As of October 20, 2016 the 625 acre Belt Woods Natural Environment Area (NEA) will be available for regulated deer hunting which will take place during the archery, muzzle loader, and firearms seasons. The program will follow established season dates and bag limits found in the 2016-2017 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.
Hunter access to Belt Woods NEA will require possession of a free Southern Region Public Hunting Permit and daily reservations available from the Myrtle Grove WMA office. Hunters must park in the designated parking area only. This property can accommodate up to 8 hunters per day.
This program is designed to provide managed public hunting access to the site (Belt Woods NEA). After a comprehensive analysis and review of existing activities and practices on the property, park managers, in consultation with wildlife biologists and experts, decided to continue the limited and managed deer hunt program as a vital tool in ongoing efforts to manage the local population of white-tailed deer.”
As indicated above the property is open to eight hunters per day by permit and reservation. Deer hunting is all that is allowed. There is a 300 yard safety zone from the Tall Oaks School, which abuts the Belt Woods property, and a 150 yard safety zone around the entire property. According to DNR, Belt Woods has been hunted for years by a private hunt club. This is the first year that it has been open to the general public. The buffer zone is labeled and posted on the property so hunters should clearly know when they are able to hunt. Three tenants live on the Belt Woods property and a safety zone around these properties has been created as well. DNR marks the property by signs that indicate hunting, non- hunting and safety zones. The signs are placed close enough together so that you can see one sign when standing next to a different sign. They are planning on having more presence of the Natural Resources Police on this property as well. According to DNR the shots will not go beyond the buffer 2
zone and exit the property. Hunting is allowed ½ hour before sunrise and ½ hour after sunset. The number of shots fired will not be continuous like a firing range, but will be periotic and infrequent.
Parking for the hunters is designated just inside the gate to the property that is accessed off of Church Road. Hunters that register are given the combination to the pad lock that is on the gate that allows the hunters to bring their cars through the gate and off of Church Road.
The weapons that will be allowed for hunting are bow, cross bow, muzzle loader single shot rifle and shotguns. Deer hunting is all that is allowed. There are overlapping seasons for each of these weapons as follows:
• Muzzle Loaded Rifle Hunting – October 20th to October 29th • Bow and Crossbow Hunting – October 30th to November 26th • Firearms/Shotgun Hunting – November 26th to December 10th • Bow and Crossbow Hunting – December 11th to December 16th • Muzzle Loaded Rifle Hunting – December 17th to December 31st • Bow and Crossbow Hunting – January 1st to January 5th • Firearms/Shotgun Hunting – January 6th, 7th, and 8th • Bow and Crossbow Hunting – January 9th to January 31st
Part of the reason hunting is being allowed is to better manage this old growth forest. Too large of a deer population creates overeating of the forest and damage to the forest as a result of this overeating. These kinds of programs help keep this old growth forest, which is unique, healthy. DNR emphasized that deer are an ecological danger to this property that can have devastating consequences if left unchecked. An overabundance of deer also impacts surrounding areas in terms of increased number of deer and vehicle strikes and deer coming onto private property and eating vegetation. Finally, there is an increased likelihood of Lyme disease with an overabundance of deer.
DNR owns the property so this is considered public lands. There is currently no exterior management group associated with this property. This is totally managed by DNR. The Park Service Division of DNR manages the property. The Wildlife and Heritage Division of DNR manages the hunting.
Notification to the public about public hunting on this property involved a news release on the web site of DNR. According to DNR, the reason for not having a public hearing on this is that hunting has occurred on this property for at least 25 years. DNR contacted the principal and security staff at Tall Oaks Elementary and provided schedule details and maps. They also notified Six Flags and the three tenants that live on the property.
DNR’s perspective is that this is a much more structured and managed process. The only thing that is new is the public hunting aspect. Before unlimited number of hunters could hunt on the property through the private gun club. Now, only eight hunters per day are allowed. Before there were 150 yard buffers around any house and school, but the buffers around roads were less than 150 yards. The new buffers, at 150 yards around the entire property and 300 yards at the school, are greater than they were before. DNR indicated that this is a very conservative buffer zone and much greater than they put on some of their properties.
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The following DNR representatives will attend the City Council meeting:
• Ranger Steve McCoy, Central Regional Manager Maryland Park Service • Mike Riley, Maryland Park Service Regional Manager • David Heilmeier, Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service Regional Manager
The following attachments have been provided by DNR:
• Map of the Hunting Area • Specific Hunting Information that is shared with all hunters using Belt Woods • Principles of Leave No Trace
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Rules for the Southern Region Public Hunting Areas 2016-2017 SEASON
New this year: - Parkers Creek WMA in Calvert County will open to deer hunting on Oct. 14th (all seasons). A shooter qualification and orientation will be required in addition to your permit and daily reservation. For information on qualification and orientation dates see schedule on reverse side. - At Riverside WMA a blind site has been established – open Monday through Saturday permit and daily reservation required. - Myrtle Point Park CWMA will open to archery deer hunting on Oct. 17th. The Southern Region Public Hunting Permit and daily reservation are required. During the month of October, hunting is Monday through Friday. Starting in November until the end of archery season, hunting is Monday through Saturday. - Belt Woods NEA will open to deer hunting only on Oct. 20th. The Southern Region Public Hunting Permit and daily reservation are required. Note: - Trapping applications are due by October 14th.
1. To apply for an annual permit, you must provide your 2016-2017 MD Hunting License Number, DNRid, Mailing Address, Date of Birth, telephone number(s) and vehicle tag number(s). You can apply online at http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/wmasouthern.aspx or mail the information to: Myrtle Grove WMA, 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd., La Plata, MD 20646. NOTE: Permits and maps are available in person Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 12 noon, nine calendar days before the September dove season through January 31, excluding holidays and service reduction days. Outside of these dates and times, you should call ahead before stopping by (301-743-5161).
2. You can make a reservation by calling 301-743-5161 between the hours of 8:00 am and 12 noon. You must give your permit number and the date and area you wish to hunt. Calls will be taken on first come first serve basis. Reservations are “Phone Only” from 8-9. After 9, reservations may be made in person or by phone. NO RESERVATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON THE ANSWERING MACHINE OR BY EMAIL. Reservations may be made as follows:
You can only have a reservation at one site on any date. You may make a reservation for yourself and two other hunters in the same area (three other hunters for waterfowl and Cheltenham WMA deer). You may reserve one date and area per phone call and can call as many times as needed to make your reservations or reservations for other permit holders.
Reservations for waterfowl hunting will be accepted no more than 4 calendar days in advance. All other reservations will be accepted no more than 8 calendar days in advance. PLEASE NOTE: From February 1st through the end of the late resident goose season reservations will be taken only on Tuesday and Friday from 8:00 am until 9:00 am.
Spring Turkey season reservations for those areas that require them will be taken on Mondays from 8:00 am until Noon.
3. 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.
4. Vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas, access points and roads. Driving in fields is prohibited for any reason.
5. Waterfowl hunting is permitted only from State blinds or designated blind sites in tidal areas unless the adjacent waters are designated as open to waterfowl hunting. Waterfowl may also be hunted at non-tidal streams and ponds unless prohibited by area regulations.
6. In accordance with COMAR 08.03.02.22, hunters must be within 50 feet of the stake or sign marking the designated blind or blind site except for the purpose of retrieving crippled game lawfully taken.
7. Waterfowl Lottery Procedures: Reservations for the opening day of the October duck split, opening day of the November duck split, the opening day and first Saturday of the third duck split will be determined by lottery. The field blinds will be filled through a separate lottery for the opening day of the November Goose split and the opening day and first Saturday of the December Goose split. Opening day for blind sites that are not open on the day the December duck and goose splits open will be defined as the first day those sites are available that falls before the first Saturday. Application deadlines and drawing dates are listed on the applications. Hunters need not be present to be selected. The remaining days will be filled through the reservation system.
8. BIG GAME CHECK SYSTEM: If you take a deer or turkey from public land, please use the appropriate pubic land code found in the Guide to Hunting & Trapping when you check your game by phone or internet. This will help the Department better manage these areas by receiving an accurate count of big game taken on DNR controlled properties.
9. Maps are available for pickup in the Myrtle Grove WMA office, Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays and service reduction days between 8:00 AM and 12 Noon, 9 calendar days before the September dove season through January 31st.
Color Maps of all areas are available on line at http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/wmasouthern.aspx . Maps can be mailed upon request. To have maps mailed you must provide a self addressed envelope with correct postage. Contact the office for current postage and envelope requirements.
Parker’s Creek WMA Orientation and Shooter Qualification Schedule:
-August 26, 2016 9:00 AM at Myrtle Grove WMA - Orientation and Archery Qualifications
-Sept. 2, 2016 3:00 PM at Myrtle Grove WMA - Orientation and Archery Qualifications
-Sept. 9, 2016 8:00 AM at Myrtle Grove WMA - Orientation and Archery / Firearms Qualifications
-Sept. 24, 2016 9:00 AM at Parkers Creek WMA - Orientation Only
-Oct. 7, 2016 9:00 AM at Parkers Creek WMA - Orientation Only
-Oct. 14, 2016 1:00 PM at Myrtle Grove WMA - Orientation and Archery / Firearms Qualifications
-Nov. 18, 2016 12:00 PM at Myrtle Grove WMA - Orientation and Archery / Firearms Qualifications
**Call the Myrtle Grove WMA Office at (301) 743-5161 for specific shooter qualification requirements** Reservation Waterfowl Blind Site Schedule for sites with limited days open Important information about changes to Area Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat Note Blossom Point CWMA the Myrtle Grove WMA phone system: Cedar Point WMA, Goose 1 Creek & Kings Creek Sites In an effort to provide better service, we have made changes to the Chicamuxen WMA 1 phone system at the Myrtle Grove Office. There are now two NPS Sites 1-10 incoming lines for reservations. Both lines are reached by calling NPS Sites 13-15 301-743-5161. On most days, there will be two people taking Nottingham #3 St. Inigoes SF, Smith Creek reservations. 2 Sites St. Mary’s Lake If you call and both lines are busy, you will hear one ring and then Zekiah NEA (Allen’s Fresh) 2 your call will go to voicemail. If you are calling during reservation 1- Sites open on last 2 days of November split, last 2 days of 3rd split and hours and this happens, hang up and dial again. Do not attempt to last 2 days of Resident Goose late season. leave a reservation on the voicemail, as it will not be honored and 2- Sites open on last 2 days of November split, last 2 days of 3rd split and last 2 days of AP Goose season. you will not receive a call back until after reservations are finished.
Reservation Waterfowl Blind Site Schedule for Sites open during the Third If you are calling for another reason during reservation times, you Duck Split Only will be able to reach the voicemail of any staff member. There is a Area Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat Myrtle Point CWMA third line that staff will be able to use to return your call during Sandy Point State Park reservation hours if they are in the office. This line is not for making reservations and is not connected to the voicemail system. Field Blinds for Goose Hunting (Will open after crops are harvested) For this reason, you will need to call 301-743-5161 to reach any of Area Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat Note the Myrtle Grove Staff. Cedar Point WMA 3 King’s Landing NRMA 4 Newtowne Neck SP Nottingham NRMA 4 St. Inigoes State Forest 4 3- Sites open on last 2 days of November split and last 2 days of Resident Goose late season. 4- Sites open on last 2 days of November split and last 2 days of AP Goose season.
Dove Field Schedule Area Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. Myrtle Grove WMA “*” = Permit and Reservation Required All Dove Fields will be open on Opening Day Waterfowl Hunting Zone MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Wildlife and Heritage Service It is now legal to hunt from a boat at anchor or while standing on the natural bottom adjacent to certain properties as delineated on the maps of WATERFOWL BLIND LOTTERY APPLICATION FOR ALL BLIND the area according to the following conditions: SITES THAT REQUIRE RESERVATIONS
OPENING DAY OF FIRST DUCK SPLIT - Each hunter must have the free Southern Region Permit in their Application Deadline: September 19, 2016– 3:00 PM possession while hunting, however no reservations are required. Drawing Date: September 21, 2016
PLEASE PRINT: - Hunters must remain at least 250 yards from the property line of Permit #:______any adjoining properties, or where the line would be if it were extended into the water. (This point will be marked on shore of Name:______each property by a metal stake wrapped in reflective material and Address:______painted orange.) Home Telephone:______- Hunters must remain at least 250 yards from any licensed Daytime Telephone:______stationary blind or blind site or another person or party hunting waterfowl. DATE AREA BLIND #
1 ST CHOICE______- Hunters must be no more than 300 yards from shore. 2 ND CHOICE______
- A person may not guide hunting parties for economic gain in any 3 RD CHOICE______of these areas.
Additional hunters must be added upon lottery notification.
The following areas permit hunting under this regulation: A person’s name may appear only once in the lottery drawing. We ask that you have the courtesy to submit applications for only those dates and locations that you can accept. If for some reason you are selected and cannot use the permit, please call and cancel so it can be assigned to another hunter. - Calvert Cliffs State Park – The waters of the Chesapeake Bay. - Cedar Point Wildlife Management Area – Excluding the waters Failure to comply with any of the above could result in loss of privileges for the properties in this system. of Kings Creek and Goose Creek - Chapman State Park – Boat access only must remain below mean high tide. Hunting from shore is prohibited. RETURN TO: DNR – WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE Myrtle Grove WMA - Nanjemoy WMA – Excluding the 250 yard radius around the 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. ADA accessible blind. La Plata, MD 20646 - Newtowne Neck State Park – Excluding the waters of Breton Bay north of channel marker “5”. Boat access only must remain below mean high tide. Hunting from shore is prohibited.
- St. Clement’s Island State Park - St. Inigoes State Forest – Excluding the waters of Smith Creek and Chicken Cock Creek.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Wildlife and Heritage Service Wildlife and Heritage Service
WATERFOWL BLIND LOTTERY APPLICATION FOR ALL BLIND SITES THAT REQUIRE RESERVATIONS WATERFOWL BLIND LOTTERY APPLICATION FOR ALL BLIND SITES THAT REQUIRE RESERVATIONS OPENING DAY OF SECOND DUCK SPLIT Application Deadline: October 24, 2016– 3:00 PM OPENING DAY AND FIRST SATURDAY OF THIRD DUCK SPLIT Drawing Date: October 26, 2016 Application Deadline: November 21, 2016 – 3:00 PM Drawing Date: November 23, 2016 PLEASE PRINT: PLEASE PRINT: Permit #:______Permit #:______Name:______Name:______Address:______Address:______Home Telephone:______Home Telephone:______Daytime Telephone:______Daytime Telephone:______DATE AREA BLIND # DATE AREA BLIND # 1 ST CHOICE______1 ST CHOICE______2 ND CHOICE______2 ND CHOICE______3 RD CHOICE______3 RD CHOICE______
Additional hunters must be added upon lottery notification. Additional hunters must be added upon lottery notification. A person’s name may appear only once in the lottery drawing. We ask that you have the courtesy to submit applications for only those dates and locations that you can accept. If for some reason you are A person’s name may appear only once in the lottery drawing. We ask that you have the courtesy to selected and cannot use the permit, please call and cancel so it can be assigned to another hunter. submit applications for only those dates and locations that you can accept. If for some reason you are selected and cannot use the permit, please call and cancel so it can be assigned to another hunter. Failure to comply with any of the above could result in loss of privileges for the properties in this system. Failure to comply with any of the above could result in loss of privileges for the properties in this system.
RETURN TO: DNR – WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE Myrtle Grove WMA RETURN TO: DNR – WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. Myrtle Grove WMA La Plata, MD 20646 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. La Plata, MD 20646
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Wildlife and Heritage Service Wildlife and Heritage Service
GOOSE SEASON GOOSE SEASON LOTTERY APPLICATION FOR FIELD BLIND SITES THAT REQUIRE LOTTERY APPLICATION FOR FIELD BLIND SITES THAT REQUIRE RESERVATIONS RESERVATIONS
OPENING DAY AND FIRST SATURDAY OF NOVEMBER GOOSE SEASON OPENING DAY AND FIRST SATURDAY OF DECEMBER GOOSE SEASON Application Deadline: October 24, 2016– 3:00 PM Application Deadline: November 21, 2016 – 3:00 PM Drawing Date: October 26, 2016 Drawing Date: November 23, 2016
PLEASE PRINT: PLEASE PRINT:
Permit #:______Permit #:______
Name:______Name:______
Address:______Address:______
Home Telephone:______Home Telephone:______
Daytime Telephone:______Daytime Telephone:______
DATE AREA BLIND # DATE AREA BLIND #
1 ST CHOICE______1 ST CHOICE______
2 ND CHOICE______2 ND CHOICE______
3 RD CHOICE______3 RD CHOICE______
Additional hunters must be added upon lottery notification. Additional hunters must be added upon lottery notification.
A person’s name may appear only once in the lottery drawing. We ask that you have the courtesy to A person’s name may appear only once in the lottery drawing. We ask that you have the courtesy to submit applications for only those dates and locations that you can accept. If for some reason you are submit applications for only those dates and locations that you can accept. If for some reason you are selected and cannot use the permit, please call and cancel so it can be assigned to another hunter. selected and cannot use the permit, please call and cancel so it can be assigned to another hunter.
Failure to comply with any of the above could result in loss of privileges for the properties in this Failure to comply with any of the above could result in loss of privileges for the properties in this system. system.
RETURN TO: DNR – WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE RETURN TO: DNR – WILDLIFE & HERITAGE SERVICE Myrtle Grove WMA Myrtle Grove WMA 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. 5625 Myrtle Grove Rd. La Plata, MD 20646 La Plata, MD 20646
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are the bedrock of the Leave No Trace program. They provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created impacts. The principles have been adapted to they can be applied in your backyard or your backcountry.
Plan Ahead and Prepare Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary. In popular areas: Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. In pristine areas: Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
Dispose of Waste Properly Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
Leave What You Find Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
Minimize Campfire Impacts Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
Respect Wildlife Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.