Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 101 deer on Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area in the 2025-26 season, 64 antlered and 37 antlerless, against 123 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR wildlife management area of about 6,485 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 Indian Springs WMA. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState parkNational Park ServiceIndian Springs WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 6,485 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Washington County |
| Managed by | Wildlife and Heritage Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 101 (64 antlered, 37 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 123 |
| Deer management region | Region A and B |
| Nearest towns | Pecktonville (next to it), Clear Spring (2 mi) and Indian Springs (2 mi) |
How many deer are taken on Indian Springs WMA each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 64 | 37 | 101 |
| 2024-25 | 67 | 56 | 123 |
| 2023-24 | 61 | 34 | 95 |
| 2022-23 | 55 | 36 | 91 |
| 2021-22 | 51 | 39 | 90 |
| 2020-21 | 52 | 55 | 107 |
| 2019-20 | 61 | 42 | 103 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive).
What is Indian Springs WMA like?
DNR describes it: "Indian Springs WMA is a 6,400-acre tract in Washington County near the town of Clear Spring. Pictured above is Blair's Valley Lake, a popular fishing spot."
On hunting and other uses: "Indian Springs archery deer hunting area is famous for a challenging hunt. Hunters also enjoy deer firearm and muzzleloader seasons, as well as the pursuit of squirrels, turkey, grouse, woodcock, rabbits and quail."
On wildlife: "Visitors enjoy strolling a self-guided nature trail, learning about many plants which are used by wildlife. History buffs look for the ruined pioneer homesteads and family cemeteries that dot Indian Springs WMA."
Quoted from DNR's page for Indian Springs WMA.
What are the rules on Indian Springs WMA?
- Use of Indian Springs WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year.
- Hunting is allowed in accordance with open seasons and shooting hours
- No special permits or drawings are required to hunt this area, except appropriate licenses and stamps.
- No gasoline motors are permitted on the lake.
- Use of the dog training area is allowed year round. This area is indicated on the map and by signs in the field. No reservations are required.
- If releasing live birds, a Retriever Dog Training Permit is required.
- The field trial area, located in the Blairs Valley section of the WMA, requires a permit from the Service if used for organized field trial events.
- Field trials may be permitted during the following timeframes: September 1 through October 15 and March 1 through April 15.
From DNR's page for Indian Springs WMA.
When can you hunt Indian Springs WMA 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 Indian Springs WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-70, US 40, MD 56, MD 615, MD 57 and MD 68. Nearest towns: Pecktonville (next to it), Clear Spring (2 miles), Indian Springs (2 miles) and Big Spring (2 miles).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Indian Springs WMA?
101 in 2025-26: 64 antlered and 37 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 123. DNR's tables go back to 2019-20 for this area.
Do you need a permit to hunt Indian Springs WMA?
DNR's page for Indian Springs WMA says: "Use of Indian Springs WMA is generally permitted seven days a week throughout the year. No special permits or drawings are required to hunt this area, except appropriate licenses and stamps."
What county is Indian Springs WMA in?
Washington County. Washington County reported 4,560 deer in 2025-26, 2,337 antlered, and is in Region A and B.
What can you hunt on Indian Springs WMA?
DNR: "Indian Springs archery deer hunting area is famous for a challenging hunt. Hunters also enjoy deer firearm and muzzleloader seasons, as well as the pursuit of squirrels, turkey, grouse, woodcock, rabbits and quail."
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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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