Shooter Qualification Card Program
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) facilitates the Shooter Qualification Program. Through this program local sportsman’s clubs, shooting clubs, and other groups avail their facilities and expertise to certify hunters. Those hunters, who meet certain shooting qualification standards, become certified and receive a Maryland State Shooter Qualification Card valid for the current year. This card serves as “proof of proficiency” and enables a qualified hunter to be eligible to apply for many of the managed deer hunts held across Maryland.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
AAF&G offers Shooter Qualification events throughout the year, with details available on the DNR event calendar. Note that these are not “sight in” days, and participants are expected to have already zeroed their firearms before arriving.
To become certified, shooters must meet the following qualifications:
- Shotgun: 3 out of 5 slugs in a 9-inch circle at 40 yards,
- Muzzle-loader: 2 out of 3 shots in a 9-inch circle at 40 yards, and
- Bow: 3 out of 5 shots in the vitals of a 3D deer at unmarked distances under 30 yards.
Shotgun and muzzle-loader qualifications will be conducted on the Eccles High Power Range. Bow qualifications will be conducted on the Archery Range.
A complete listing of shooter qualification dates and locations statewide (by county) is given at the DNR website.
