Starting August 4 at locations statewide, hunters may apply for a 2015-2016 waterfowl blind site license. Opening-day applicants will be entered into a lottery drawing for the first chance to pick their sites.

Each blind site license is assigned to a designated location in Maryland waters where hunters can anchor their boats to hunt waterfowl. Dates and instructions are as follows:

• August 4 from 7:30 to 8 a.m. at the four Lower Shore counties listed below. The drawing will start at approximately 8:30 a.m. Once selected, applicants have eight minutes to choose their blind sites, with a max of two sites per day. Site selections will end at 4:30 p.m. and resume the following day. Note: Anyone arriving after 8 a.m. will not be eligible for the lottery.
• August 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. licensing will be held at all DNR Service Centers and offices as listed.
• August 6 and thereafter, the centers will operate on normal business hours.

Citizens must present a 2014-2015 or 2015-2016 Maryland resident hunting license in order to participate in the blind site process (landowners or individuals with written permission of landowner who desire to license their own property are exempt from this requirement). Applicants must also present their Maryland driver’s license or other photo ID to verify identification and residency. The 2015-2016 Maryland hunting license is now available at any DNR sport license agent, online or by calling 1-800-918-2870.

Landowners who would like to license their own property should bring a copy of the property information (available online), and a tax map or other legible map showing the exact location of the shoreline to be licensed.

Preview maps of shoreline licensed by waterfront landowners will be available on July 15 at the locations listed below. The maps will also be available online.

Dorchester County: LeCompte WMA, 4220 Steele Neck Road, Vienna. Preview maps available at same location, call ahead to confirm office is staffed 410-376-3236.

Somerset County: Wellington WMA, 32733 Dublin Road, Princess Anne. Preview maps available at same location, call ahead to confirm office is staffed 410-543-8223.

Wicomico County: Salisbury Regional Wildlife Office, 201 Baptist St., #22, Salisbury. Preview maps available at same location.

Worcester County: Snow Hill Fire Dept., 4718 Snow Hill Road, Snow Hill. Preview maps available at Shad Landing State Park Camp Store – Off Rt. 113.

On August 5, and thereafter, licenses for Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties will be issued at the Salisbury Regional Service Center, 201 Baptist St., Suite 22, Salisbury.