Riverside Wildlife Management Area: deer harvest, hunting rules and map
Hunters reported 8 deer on Riverside Wildlife Management Area in the 2025-26 season, 5 antlered and 3 antlerless, against 9 in 2024-25. It is a Maryland DNR wildlife management area of about 1,081 acres in Charles 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 Riverside WMA. Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027.
Wildlife management areaState forestState parkNational Park ServiceMilitary (closed unless the base allows)Riverside WMACounty lineHighway
| Size | 1,081 acres (measured from DNR's map) |
|---|---|
| County | Charles County |
| Managed by | Wildlife and Heritage Service |
| Deer reported, 2025-26 | 8 (5 antlered, 3 antlerless) |
| Deer reported, 2024-25 | 9 |
| Deer management region | Region B |
| Nearest towns | Port Tobacco Village (11 mi), Indian Head (13 mi) and Potomac Heights (13 mi) |
How many deer are taken on Riverside WMA each year?
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 2024-25 | 7 | 2 | 9 |
Source: the public land table (Appendix II) in DNR's report for each season (Maryland DNR deer and big game report archive).
What is Riverside WMA like?
DNR describes it: "This 680-acre site situated on the Potomac River in southwestern Charles County consists of a mix of mature forested and reforested habitats as well as tidal marsh, non-tidal ponds and wetlands."
On hunting and other uses: "Hunters come to Riverside WMA for the white-tailed deer, gray squirrels and wild turkey which roam the forests. Hikers will find unmarked trails for bird-watching, nature photography or just a daytime get-away."
On wildlife: "Forest wildlife, including many species of songbirds dwell at Riverside WMA. Wood ducks and Great blue herons can be seen in the non-tidal wetlands and marshes of Halfway Creek."
Quoted from DNR's page for Riverside WMA.
What are the rules on Riverside WMA?
- Use of Riverside WMA is generally permitted seven days a week.
- Hunting is allowed in accordance with open seasons, bag limits and shooting hours.
- Trapping and waterfowl hunting is by permit only.
From DNR's page for Riverside WMA.
When can you hunt Riverside 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles County | 2,096 | 874 | 452 | 7.6% |
Seasons: Maryland DNR Hunting Seasons Calendar for 2026-2027. County harvest: Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026.
How do you get to Riverside WMA?
Highways within five miles: MD 224, MD 6 and MD 425. Nearest towns: Port Tobacco Village (11 miles), Indian Head (13 miles), Potomac Heights (13 miles) and Pomfret (13 miles).
Questions hunters ask
How many deer are taken on Riverside WMA?
8 in 2025-26: 5 antlered and 3 antlerless (Maryland DNR Annual Big Game Report 2025-2026, Appendix II). In 2024-25: 9.
Do you need a permit to hunt Riverside WMA?
DNR's page for Riverside WMA says: "Use of Riverside WMA is generally permitted seven days a week. Trapping and waterfowl hunting is by permit only."
What county is Riverside WMA in?
Charles County. Charles County reported 2,096 deer in 2025-26, 874 antlered, and is in Region B.
What can you hunt on Riverside WMA?
DNR: "Hunters come to Riverside WMA for the white-tailed deer, gray squirrels and wild turkey which roam the forests. Hikers will find unmarked trails for bird-watching, nature photography or just a daytime get-away."
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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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