Idylwild Wildlife Management Area: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 86 deer on Idylwild Wildlife Management Area in the 2025-26 season, 33 antlered and 53 antlerless, against 125 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR wildlife management area of about 3,702 acres in Caroline 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 Idylwild WMA. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState forestIdylwild WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 3,702 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Caroline County |
| Managed by | Wildlife and Heritage Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 86 (33 antlered, 53 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 125 |
| Deer management region | Region B |
| Nearest towns | Federalsburg (next to it), Williston (7 mi) and Preston (7 mi) |
How many deer are taken on Idylwild WMA each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 33 | 53 | 86 |
| 2024-25 | 30 | 95 | 125 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive).
What is Idylwild WMA like?
DNR describes it: "The scenic Marshyhope Creek, which winds through the quaint turn- of-the-century town of Federalsburg, forms the western boundary of the 3,800-acre Idylwild WMA in southeastern Caroline County. The area is a mix of agricultural fields, upland forests and bottomland forests, with topography ranging from flat to somewhat sloped."
On hunting and other uses: "Hunters will enjoy a day afield, pursuing white-tailed deer, turkey, dove, cottontail rabbits, woodcock, squirrels and waterfowl. Roads and trails will promise a day's adventure and exploration for hikers and all-terrain bicyclists."
On wildlife: "Mature hardwoods, loblolly pine and Virginia pine forests surround many of the trails and support a rich variety of wildlife species. The surprisingly large pileated woodpecker, with its red crest, hammers on rotted logs in search of insects."
Quoted from DNR's page for Idylwild WMA.
What are the rules on Idylwild WMA?
- Use of Idylwild WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year.
- Hunting is allowed in accordance with open seasons and shooting hours, unless otherwise noted.
- All State and Federal Hunting Laws and Regulations are applicable.
- Trapping is by permit only. Trapping bids are available in September and awarded in late October.
- Dove hunting is restricted to certain days and shooting hours.
- Only ATV’s, UTV’s and golf carts are permitted in the accessible hunting zone.
- Some fields are managed as Special Dove Areas and as Quail Demonstration Areas and may have restricted hunting dates.
From DNR's page for Idylwild WMA.
When can you hunt Idylwild 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline County | 2,540 | 916 | 192 | 3.6% |
Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
How do you get to Idylwild WMA?
Highways within five miles: MD 313, MD 318, MD 404, MD 16, MD 307 and MD 392. Nearest towns: Federalsburg (next to it), Williston (7 miles), Preston (7 miles) and Hurlock (7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Idylwild WMA?
86 in 2025-26: 33 antlered and 53 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 125.
Do you need a permit to hunt Idylwild WMA?
DNR's page for Idylwild WMA says: "Use of Idylwild WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year. Trapping is by permit only. Trapping bids are available in September and awarded in late October."
What county is Idylwild WMA in?
Caroline County. Caroline County reported 2,540 deer in 2025-26, 916 antlered, and is in Region B.
What can you hunt on Idylwild WMA?
DNR: "Hunters will enjoy a day afield, pursuing white-tailed deer, turkey, dove, cottontail rabbits, woodcock, squirrels and waterfowl. Roads and trails will promise a day's adventure and exploration for hikers and all-terrain bicyclists."
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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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