42nd YEAR Hunt Week
JanUARY 16-18, 2025
The Grand National Waterfowl Hunt is held annually on thirty thousand acres of privately held land in the heart of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay tidelands, an area generally considered the home of the largest concentration of migratory waterfowl and resident game on the Atlantic Flyway.
Hosted by the Grand National Waterfowl Association Inc. (GNWA), a privately funded non-profit organization recognized as a leader in wildlife management, habitat restoration, scientific research and community support, the Grand National Hunt is truly a memorable sporting experience, as was noted by Former NRA President, John Sigler in a 2009 edition of “American Hunter” magazine.
The GNWA was chartered in 1983 as a private-non-profit organization dedicated to ornithological research and redevelopment of wildlife habitat on both private and public lands to help assure the future of migratory waterfowl, while encouraging the skill and enjoyment of our hunting heritage. Our specific concentration is Dorchester County, Maryland, located in the area known as the “Eastern Shore.”
Hosted by the Grand National Waterfowl Association Inc. (GNWA), a privately funded non-profit organization recognized as a leader in wildlife management, habitat restoration, scientific research and community support, the Grand National Hunt is truly a memorable sporting experience, as was noted by Former NRA President, John Sigler in a 2009 edition of “American Hunter” magazine.
The GNWA was chartered in 1983 as a private-non-profit organization dedicated to ornithological research and redevelopment of wildlife habitat on both private and public lands to help assure the future of migratory waterfowl, while encouraging the skill and enjoyment of our hunting heritage. Our specific concentration is Dorchester County, Maryland, located in the area known as the “Eastern Shore.”
The primary purpose of the Hunt is to draw attention to the importance of the waterfowl preservation and raise funds to support our conservation projects.
Dorchester County is unique in that although it is the largest County in the State, it is one of the least populated. Agriculture and commercial fishing are major economic drivers in the area. Besides being located adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay, the County also has two major Maryland rivers that border it to the north and east…the Choptank and the Nanticoke respectively. The history of the Choptank River is a major focus in the James Michener novel, “Chesapeake.” The physical attributes of the County account for its popular status with migratory waterfowl.
To celebrate and support this amazing environment, the GNWA underwrites several wildlife and waterfowl programs, including the annual invitational Waterfowl Hunt. The primary purpose of the Hunt is to draw attention to the importance of the waterfowl preservation and raise funds to support our conservation projects. The Hunt is also meant to foster economic development for the County by industries involved in or interested in the environment. The GNWA hosts wounded veterans of our military and two wounded veterans are invited to be our guests each year. It is an exciting and very special experience for them…and for us!
Since the inception of these programs and events, our duck release program has surpassed the million bird mark.
To celebrate and support this amazing environment, the GNWA underwrites several wildlife and waterfowl programs, including the annual invitational Waterfowl Hunt. The primary purpose of the Hunt is to draw attention to the importance of the waterfowl preservation and raise funds to support our conservation projects. The Hunt is also meant to foster economic development for the County by industries involved in or interested in the environment. The GNWA hosts wounded veterans of our military and two wounded veterans are invited to be our guests each year. It is an exciting and very special experience for them…and for us!
Since the inception of these programs and events, our duck release program has surpassed the million bird mark.
