Fort Frederick State Park: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 7 deer on Fort Frederick State Park in the 2025-26 season, 1 antlered and 6 antlerless, against 4 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR state park of about 766 acres in Washington County, in deer management Region A and 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 Fort Frederick SP. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState parkNational Park ServiceFort Frederick SPCounty lineHighway
| Size | 766 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Managed by | Maryland Park Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 7 (1 antlered, 6 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 4 |
| Deer management region | Region A and B |
| Nearest towns | Big Pool (next to it), Ernstville (next to it) and Indian Springs (2 mi) |
How many deer are taken on Fort Frederick SP each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1 | 6 | 7 |
| 2024-25 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive).
When can you hunt Fort Frederick SP in 2026-27?
Seasons follow Region A and 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. Bear season in the western counties is October 26 to 31. Spring turkey runs April 19 to May 24, 2027.
| County | Deer, 2025-26 | Antlered, 2025-26 | Spring turkeys, 2026 | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington County | 4,560 | 2,337 | 382 | 10.5% |
Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
How do you get to Fort Frederick SP?
Highways within five miles: US 40, I-70, I-68, MD 56, MD 144 and US 522. Nearest towns: Big Pool (next to it), Ernstville (next to it), Indian Springs (2 miles) and Big Spring (3 miles).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Fort Frederick SP?
7 in 2025-26: 1 antlered and 6 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 4.
Do you need a permit to hunt Fort Frederick SP?
DNR's public land table counts deer taken in the park, so it is hunted. Check DNR's page for Fort Frederick SP for where in the park and on which days hunting is allowed, and whether a permit or drawing applies, before you go.
What county is Fort Frederick SP in?
Washington County. Washington County reported 4,560 deer in 2025-26, 2,337 antlered, and is in Region A and B.
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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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