Ellis Bay Wildlife Management Area: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 32 deer on Ellis Bay Wildlife Management Area in the 2025-26 season, 12 antlered and 20 antlerless, against 32 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR wildlife management area of about 3,052 acres in Wicomico County, in deer management Region B.
Data updated October 2026. Harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II. Area: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP); DNR's page for Ellis Bay WMA. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState forestEllis Bay WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 3,052 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Wicomico County |
| Managed by | Wildlife and Heritage Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 32 (12 antlered, 20 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 32 |
| Sika among them, 2025-26 | 17 |
| Deer management region | Region B |
| Nearest towns | Waterview (next to it), Nanticoke (next to it) and Nanticoke Acres (next to it) |
How many deer are taken on Ellis Bay WMA each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 12 | 20 | 32 |
| 2024-25 | 11 | 21 | 32 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive). Totals include sika deer.
What is Ellis Bay WMA like?
DNR describes it: "Mostly marsh and forested wetland, Ellis Bay is a 3,200-acre wet wonderland. It is perfect habitat for ducks and wading birds, like herons and egrets."
On hunting and other uses: "Hunters will find white-tailed deer, squirrels, woodcock, ducks, Canada geese and cottontail rabbits. Trapping is offered by yearly lease."
On wildlife: "Ellis Bay WMA is best seen by boat. Boat ramps, including one located on the property and others located nearby, provide convenient access."
Quoted from DNR's page for Ellis Bay WMA.
What are the rules on Ellis Bay WMA?
- Use of Ellis Bay WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year.
- Hunting is allowed in accordance with open seasons and shooting hours.
- All State and Federal Hunting Laws and Regulations are applicable.
From DNR's page for Ellis Bay WMA.
When can you hunt Ellis Bay WMA in 2026-27?
Seasons follow Region B: archery September 11 to January 31 with breaks, early muzzleloader October 22 to 24, firearm November 28 to December 12 and January 8 to 10, 2027, late muzzleloader December 19 to January 2. Spring turkey runs April 19 to May 24, 2027.
| County | Deer, 2025-26 | Antlered, 2025-26 | Spring turkeys, 2026 | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wicomico County | 2,787 | 1,112 | 242 | 11% |
Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
How do you get to Ellis Bay WMA?
Highways within five miles: MD 349, MD 363, MD 352 and MD 362. Nearest towns: Waterview (next to it), Nanticoke (next to it), Nanticoke Acres (next to it) and Jesterville (next to it).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Ellis Bay WMA?
32 in 2025-26: 12 antlered and 20 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 32.
Do you need a permit to hunt Ellis Bay WMA?
DNR's page for Ellis Bay WMA says: "Use of Ellis Bay WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year. Use of Ellis Bay WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year."
What county is Ellis Bay WMA in?
Wicomico County. Wicomico County reported 2,787 deer in 2025-26, 1,112 antlered, and is in Region B.
What can you hunt on Ellis Bay WMA?
DNR: "Hunters will find white-tailed deer, squirrels, woodcock, ducks, Canada geese and cottontail rabbits. Trapping is offered by yearly lease."
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Where these facts come from
- Deer by area: the public land tables in Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive. Boundary: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP).
- Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027; Maryland DNR: 2026-27 archery deer season opens September 11. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
- Public land around it: Maryland DNR owned lands (Maryland iMAP) for state land; USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1) for federal land. Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
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