St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) has announced changes to bow hunting regulations at the Elms Beach property in Lexington Park, MD. Effective immediately, hunting will no longer be permitted on the 85 acres leased by St. Mary’s County from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR has officially discontinued the pilot bow hunting program on this land and revoked permission for hunting.
The affected area is located at 19350 Back Door Road in Lexington Park. Hunters and local organizations holding permits for the now-restricted area have been directly informed of the change. Additionally, “No Hunting” signs have been posted around the site to raise public awareness and ensure compliance with the new regulations.
While bow hunting is no longer allowed on the county-leased land, hunters can still access the adjacent 545 acres of the Elms property that is managed by the DNR. This area remains open for hunting in accordance with DNR guidelines. More information on public hunting lands managed by DNR in Southern Maryland can be found at the agency’s website: Maryland Department of Natural Resources Public Hunting Lands.
The county’s decision to halt bow hunting on the leased acreage aligns with a broader commitment to expand the land’s use for environmental education and to enhance public access to waterfront recreation. According to SMCG, additional improvements at the Elms property are moving through the approval process. These enhancements aim to create more opportunities for outdoor education and recreation for the local community. Residents are invited to explore the future development plans outlined in the Elms Beach Master Plan, which is available online at Elms Beach Master Plan.
A map illustrating the newly restricted area has been provided with this announcement for the public’s reference.
For further inquiries, residents can contact the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks via email at webtrac@stmaryscountymd.gov or by calling (301) 475-4200, extension 1800.
