Chesapeake Forest 2022 Hunting Tract Lottery

Tract Available for Lease

Background:

The department has completed its comprehensive planning process for managing hunting opportunities on Chesapeake Forest Lands, which will incorporate both Public Forest lands and Leased Hunting. Chesapeake Forest tracts open to Public Hunting can be viewed on the Chesapeake Forest website here. Hunt clubs that are interested in obtaining a hunting lease agreement on Chesapeake Forest can enter the lottery for one of the non-leased tracts that are currently available for Hunt Club leasing.

Lottery Guidelines:

The following are requirements and information for entering the Hunt Club Lottery:

• Only hunt club members at least 18 years of age can participate in the lottery.
• A hunt club must have at least two members licensed to hunt in the State of Maryland with one person designated as the club president.
• Each member may fill out a lottery form. Only one submittal per person will be placed in the lottery.

If your lottery entry is selected, you will be awarded the first available tract that you choose.

It is recommended that you visit the tracts before you make your selection. Some tracts have limited access.

Hunt clubs are expected to help maintain access roads, gates and signs along on the leased property.

A hunt club is also permitted to camp on the tract; however they must obtain a camping permit from the Forest Service Office for each camping trailer. Permits are $50 for deer season camping (Sept. 1 - Jan. 31) and $25 for Turkey season camping (Apr. 1 - May 31). Trailers must be removed from the property from Feb. 1 - Mar. 31.

There is NO FEE to enter into the lottery drawing.

Hunt clubs are required to carry a Commercial General Liability Insurance Policy, with one million dollars per occurrence, two million annual aggregate, for the club. Proof of insurance is required upon payment.

These lottery tracts will include a ten-year lease agreement for the upcoming hunting seasons in 2022-2023 through 2031-2032. To see a copy of a State Hunting Lease click here.

The lottery entry deadline is Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 11:59 pm.

A random automated on-line drawing for available Chesapeake Forest tracts in the lease program will be held on Thrursday, August 25, 2022 at 2:00 pm.

The MD Forest Service will contact the winners by phone or e-mail within 2 business days of the drawing. If you decline the tract that you won it will be awarded to another lottery participant.

The deadline for payment and required paperwork will be on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 4:00 pm.

Any club that fails to make payment on a lease by the payment deadline indicated will forfeit their lease. The tract will then be offered to the runner up club chosen in the lottery that had that tract selected on their lottery submission.