Maryland Public Lands Managed by the Wildlife and Heritage
Service The Wildlife & Heritage Service (WHS) oversees the
management of 47 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), ranging in
size from under 20 acres to over 29,000 acres. The WMA system
encompasses a total of 111,000 acres, with WMAs located in 18 of
Maryland's 23 counties. Mission of the WMA System To conserve
and enhance diverse wildlife populations and associated habitats
while providing for public enjoyment of the State’s wildlife
resources through hunting and other wildlife-dependent
recreation. Goals of the WMA System The Wildlife and Heritage
Service manages the WMAs for diverse wildlife populations and
their habitats in a number of ways, such as applying prescribed
burns, planting food plots, establishing native grasses,
managing wetlands and performing timber stand work. Some
habitats, such as forested areas, provide for wildlife without
any direct management. Providing for wildlife-dependent
recreation involves the installation and maintenance