MILLINGTON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

What's There?

Wood Duck Reflection
© Heather R. Davidson
Click here for an enlarged image.

The Millington Wildlife Management Area (MWMA), used for years as the primary upland game management and research area in the state, has many recreational attractions These include bird watching,fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and nature photography. It was the first recorded nesting site on the Eastern Shore for Hooded Mergansers. Pileated Woodpeckers, Scarlet Tanagers, Wood Ducks and various species of warblers nest here and the courtship dance of the Woodcock can be witnessed on warm spring evenings. There are four farm ponds that are stocked with bass and bluegill. During the hunting seasons a permit is required to use the area.

Fox
© Heather R. Davidson
Click here for an enlarged image.

Data is obtained here on quail and rabbit populations, food habits and habitat use. It is also a popular area for whitetailed deer, which in Kent County are renowned for their large size. Dove, woodcock, squirrel, fox, raccoon, ducks and geese attract hunters from around Maryland and neighboring states. A new addition to the game species here is Wild Turkey, established as a result of a highly successful trap and transplant program.

Wild Turkey
© Heather R. Davidson
Click here for an enlarged image.

Upland management practices on the property are aimed at providing escape cover, nesting cover and winter food for quail, rabbits and other upland wildlife such as songbirdss and raptors. The 700 acres of open land are maintained in different stages of succession through mowing, discing and prescribed burning. Crop fields and food plots are planted throughout the area and bordered by strips of native grasses and weeds which provide nesting cover. Trails are mowed to provide foraging areas as well as firebreaks and access for hunters and farm equipment.

How to Get There

The MWMA is located in rural, northeastern Kent County on Maryland's "Eastern Shore" and is situated between the towns of Massey, Millington and Golts. It is bordered on the east by the Delaware State Line. Located just a few miles off of Route 301, the area is an easy 2 hour drive from the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area.

What's Its History?

In the 1940s a 500 acre parcel called the Toth farm was purchased by the Maryland Department of Game and Fish to establish a State Game Refuge. By the 1960s it was renamed the Millington Wildlife Management Area and designated a public hunting area. Over the years the office has been moved from Millington, where the area got its name, to Massey, and has grown to approximately 3800 acres.

The land on which MWMA lies was originally used by the Lenni Lenape Indians. The area is rich in artifacts and a small collection can be seen at the Bozie Robinson Work Center on Maryland Line Road. After settlement by the Europeans in the 1600s, the area was cleared for small scale farming. From the early 1800s, freed slaves populated the surrounding area, finding work on some of the larger farms.

The soil in the area is generally fragile and poorly drained. The farming practices of the day left it mostly depleted. As it lost its value for farming, much of the land was abandoned. During Prohibition, the woods became popular for hiding stills.

What's It Topography?

The MWMA is located in the Coastal Plain; a physiographic province characterized by low topographic relief. Cypress Branch drains the MWMA, eventually joining the Chester River near the town of Millington. Several beaver dams are found along the branch, creating excellent wood duck habitat.

One of the most unique features of the MWMA is the presence of Carolina Bays. These are shallow depressions, varying in size from less than one to a few acres, which hold water 8 to 10 months of the year. There are many theories as to their origin. One of the more colorful is the "whale wallow" theory which attributes their creation to whales left stranded as the oceans receded following the great flood! These "potholes" are highly attractive to waterfowl and also serve as breeding areas for the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander.

Most of the area is woodland, consisting primarily of hardwoods. White oak was the dominant species until recent gypsy moth infestation, which killed off most of the larger trees. This opening of the canopy allowed for the growth of numerous shrub species and the creation of new types of habitats.

Interested in Hunting?

The MWMA is open for public hunting during all legal seasons. A permit must be obtained before hunting on the area. A permit box has been set up at the entrance to the main office on Maryland Line Road. You would stop at the box and get a daily permit and parking permit from the box. You must fill out the daily permit with your name, date, and hunting license number. You do not have to fill out any other information on this permit. The daily permit is then kept with your hunting license and the parking permit goes in the front dash of your vehicle. At the end of the day, throw your daily permit away, but the parking permit can be used over. If you find the box empty, take a plain piece of paper and fill out the same information on it that you would have filled out for a daily permit. Do the same for your parking permit. This box is checked daily and filled. There is an information board at the end of the land beside the box which should be checked for any changed.

Deer Buck
© Heather R. Davidson
Click here for an enlarged image.

Opening Day of Upland Game Season

A total of 75 permits will be issued at the office starting 1/2 hour before legal shooting time on a first-come, first-served basis. As hunters leave, permits will not be reissued.

Opening Day of Deer Firearms Season

A total of 250 permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the office starting at 4:00 AM. As hunters leave, permits will be reissued starting at 12:00 PM. The remainder of the season will be by self registration.

Duck and Snow Goose Hunting

This is done by daily permit. Although no reservations are needed to hunt, reservations are required to use the 8 goose blinds, which can be done up to 5 days in advance by calling the WMA office.

Spring Turkey Season

All hunting during Spring Turkey Season will be by advance reservation only. An annual permit is required before a reservation can be made. You must mail in a copy of your hunting license, vehicle tag number you will be using and a telephone number, along with a self addressed, stamped envelope with correct postage. An annual permit will be sent back with a copy of regulations and a map of the area. Licenses by fax are not accepted. Six hunting parties (one hunter and one companion) will be allowed on the area per day. Each party can reserve one of the 6 zones (see previous area diagram). All reservations will be made by calling or visiting the MWMA office between 8 AM and 12 PM Monday through Friday. Reservations will be limited to one per person during any eight day period with remaining reservations being available the day preceding the hunt.

Catch-A-Poacher

Citizens who supply the Natural Resources Police will receive cash rewards for the information leading to the arrest and conviction of a violator. Be specific in the description of the individuals. When possible, give names, addresses and vehicle descriptions. The anonymity of the information/caller is guaranteed. There is a 24 hour hotline at 1-800-635-6124.

Additional Information

• All vehicles must be parked in designated parking lots.

• No overnight parking or camping is permitted on the area.

• No game except deer may be hunted during the deer firearms season.

• On a date to be posted, each year there will be a statewise Junior Deer hunt. The MWMA will be closed to all hunters except Junior Deer Hunters. The hunt is limited to the first 100 Juniors and 100 companions. Companions must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid hunting license. Companions are there to supervise only and will not be allowed to hunt. Permits will be issued starting at 4:30 AM.

• Boundary lines are marked with yellow paint and red and white "Managed Hunting Area" signs. Adjacent land is private property. Protect the spsort of hunting; respect landowners rights.

• An annual permit is needed to hunt raccoons and foxes and for fox chasing. These permits are specific for these activities. Prior notification of usage is required for each activity.

• The Wildlife Division reserves the right to refuse to issue a permit, deny further privileges, revoke any permit and eject forthwith the holder from the area for disorderly conduct, intoxication, violating any area, State or Federal regulation or any other behavior which endangers the general safety of persons or which interferes with the proper management of the area.

As is true of all parks in the county, these facilities are available to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age (except as noted above), national origin, or physical or mental disability.

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