Fox Hunting with AR at Monocacy Nature Reserve?

[sclag22]

I may be going out tomorrow with some buddies and initially I thought we'd be doing Doves, but they told me they want to do fox now and all I have is an AR at the moment. Is that allowable? I've read the regs and it seems like it is, but I don't want any trouble tomorrow.

Thanks!

 

[outrider58]

I may be going out tomorrow with some buddies and initially I thought we'd be doing Doves, but they told me they want to do fox now and all I have is an AR at the moment. Is that allowable? I've read the regs and it seems like it is, but I don't want any trouble tomorrow.

Thanks!

Is that in MoCo or Frendeck Co?

 

[sclag22]

Pretty sure it's in Fred right over the border

 

[outrider58]

Not sure of the legalities involved:

Fox is in season?
You'll need to stay on the Fredric side of the river.
Be aware, there are going to be people out there still trying to kill deer.

 

[sclag22]

Not sure of the legalities involved:

Fox is in season?
You'll need to stay on the Fredric side of the river.
Be aware, there are going to be people out there still trying to kill deer.

Yeah it's in season right now - I plan on keeping clear of late ML hunters. In the regs it says that rifles are allowed in all counties except XYZ for deer hunting. I'm just not sure if it means like rimfire only etc. My one friend seems to think it won't be allowed.

 

[Pale Ryder]

When it says for deer it applies to deer only. You can use the AR for groundhogs, fox, coyotes, etc in all counties except where otherwise prohibited. Certain lands such as Liberty Res., urban area of Montgomery County etc.

You will need a fur bearer stamp though.

 

[lazarus]

When it says for deer it applies to deer only. You can use the AR for groundhogs, fox, coyotes, etc in all counties except where otherwise prohibited. Certain lands such as Liberty Res., urban area of Montgomery County etc.

You will need a fur bearer stamp though.

And keep in mind since it is public land, check what is allowed for that specific reserve, park,WMA, etc. none in Howard or Montgomery allow rifles on public land and only one in Carroll allows rifles (Hanover). I think most in Frederick allow rifles. Keep in mind when it is mentioning the public land allowance, unless it says deer, it means rifles are BANNED (include rimfire sadly) for any game.

 

[Uncle Duke]

Make sure your ammo isn't the AR standard fare FMJ.

It's not legal to hunt with it.

 

[lazarus]

I looked it up for you, Monocacy is bow, ML and shotgun only. Nearby Seneca creek river road area allows all fire arms. Rest of Seneca creek is bow or Bow, ml and shotgun only and patuxent is bow, ML and shotgun only. Sigh. Maybe I'll try the river road area of Seneca (I really want to find an area near me I can take my 22lr squirrel/rabbit hunting).

 

[sclag22]

And keep in mind since it is public land, check what is allowed for that specific reserve, park,WMA, etc. none in Howard or Montgomery allow rifles on public land and only one in Carroll allows rifles (Hanover). I think most in Frederick allow rifles. Keep in mind when it is mentioning the public land allowance, unless it says deer, it means rifles are BANNED (include rimfire sadly) for any game.

When it says for deer it applies to deer only. You can use the AR for groundhogs, fox, coyotes, etc in all counties except where otherwise prohibited. Certain lands such as Liberty Res., urban area of Montgomery County etc.

You will need a fur bearer stamp though.

Thanks guys I hate how complicated MD has to be. I have a fyr bearer permit. My friend I'm going with always tells me he's gonna bring me coyote hunting with him so I buy it every year...guess how many times I've been?

I also have soft points so I'm in compliance with that too. If what you're saying about monocacy is true then that sucks ...

 

[lazarus]

Neighbor pointed out Fredrick only recently allowed rifles in the other half of the county. So DNRs website for Monocacy might now be out of date. Call DNR to ask. It may now be allowed (but also just because all of Fredneck allows rifles doesn't mean all public lands do).

 

[foxtrapper]

If you find a place to hunt foxes and use the AR, tell me what the soft points do to the fur. I am curious about the exit hole.

If you have a buddy with a turkey shotgun, ask to borrow it and use #4 shot (no steel shot though, and not #4 buck either- turkey load #4), that will get you on the shotgun only places. You can get hits at 30 yards easily.

 

[sclag22]

Thanks for the tip Foxtrapper.

I just heard back from DNR for clarification:


Question about fox hunting in Monocacy Nature Reserve
Tracey Spencer -DNR- <tracey.spencer@maryland.gov> Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 11:29 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx <xxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Hello Sxxxxx,

It is legal to use an AR platform (.223 cal.) rifle to hunt fox in Maryland. Full metal jacket and other military type rounds are not legal, though. Your ammo must have an expanding bullet (e.g. soft point, ballistic tip, etc.). You will also need to obtain a furbearer stamp if you haven't already. Good luck!

Harry Spiker
Game Mammal Section Leader
MD DNR, Wildlife & Heritage Service
(301) 334-4255



Sincerely,

Tracey Spencer
Assistant to the Director,
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Office: 410.260.8564
Fax: 410.260.8596
tracey.spencer@maryland.gov

On Thu, Dec 31, 2015 at 11:35 AM, xxxxxxxx <xxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
Good Morning,

I was reading through all of the regs and I can't seem to confirm if it is alright to hunt foxes with an AR-15 (.223 caliber). I believe it is, but would appreciate confirmation before I venture out.

Thanks!

 

[outrider58]

Thanks for the tip Foxtrapper.

I just heard back from DNR for clarification:


Question about fox hunting in Monocacy Nature Reserve
Tracey Spencer -DNR- <tracey.spencer@maryland.gov> Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 11:29 AM
To: xxxxxxxxxx <xxxxxxx@gmail.com>
Hello Sxxxxx,

It is legal to use an AR platform (.223 cal.) rifle to hunt fox in Maryland. Full metal jacket and other military type rounds are not legal, though. Your ammo must have an expanding bullet (e.g. soft point, ballistic tip, etc.). You will also need to obtain a furbearer stamp if you haven't already. Good luck!

Harry Spiker
Game Mammal Section Leader
MD DNR, Wildlife & Heritage Service
(301) 334-4255



Sincerely,

Tracey Spencer
Assistant to the Director,
Wildlife and Heritage Service
Office: 410.260.8564
Fax: 410.260.8596
tracey.spencer@maryland.gov

On Thu, Dec 31, 2015 at 11:35 AM, xxxxxxxx <xxxxxxxx@gmail.com> wrote:
Good Morning,

I was reading through all of the regs and I can't seem to confirm if it is alright to hunt foxes with an AR-15 (.223 caliber). I believe it is, but would appreciate confirmation before I venture out.

Thanks!

Cool. Thanks for passing that along.