Deal Island Wildlife Management Area

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area
Aerial view of Deal Island WMA behind a residential area
Map showing the location of Deal Island Wildlife Management Area
Map showing the location of Deal Island Wildlife Management Area
Location in Maryland
LocationSomerset, Maryland, United States
Coordinates38°11′11″N 75°51′55″W / 38.18639°N 75.86528°W / 38.18639; -75.86528
Area13,565 acres (54.90 km2)
OperatorMaryland Department of Natural Resources
WebsiteDeal Island WMA

Deal Island Wildlife Management Area protects 13,565 acres (54.90 km2)[1] in western Somerset County, Maryland near the community of Deal Island. As a wildlife management area, the area is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife and Heritage Service to conserve wildlife populations and their habitats, while providing public recreational use of wildlife resources.[2]

Deal Island WMA includes a 2,800-acre (11 km2) man-made pond or "impoundment", and flat trails frequented by hiking and off-road cycling enthusiasts. Recreational activities include photography, fishing, small boating (canoe and kayak), birdwatching (waterfowl including uncommon duck species), hunting (geese and duck) and crabbing.[2] According to the Maryland Ornithological Society, over 220 different species of birds have been seen within the area.[3]

  1. ^ Wilson, Emily (July 29, 2016). Fiscal Year 2016 DNR Owned Lands Acreage (PDF) (Report). Maryland Department of Natural Resources. pp. 12–15. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Deal Island WMA. Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2010-12-24.
  3. ^ Parson, Will (2020-06-04). "An Eastern Shore wetland is a hotspot for birds | Chesapeake Bay Program". www.chesapeakebay.net. Retrieved 2020-07-07.