Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Rock Hall in Kent County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting
⎯⎯⎯
Hunting Skiff

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2025

1. Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting / Hunting Skiff Marker

Inscription. Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting Eastern Neck Island has always been a major feeding and resting place for over-wintering waterfowl. Prior to becoming a wildlife refuge the area had a rich history in sport and market hunting. Many people earned their living guiding hunting parties and selling waterfowl to Baltimore restaurants.

This flat-bottom boat (circa 1910-1920) maybe the sole surviving example of a Chesapeake Region gunning skiff that was adapted for use with a battery gun. Battery guns (displayed inside the lodge building) are multi-barreled muzzle-loading guns, arranged to shoot in a series. The goal was to kill as many ducks or geese at one time, as possible. These guns were outlawed in 1918, but outlaw hunters continued to use them.

Hunting Skiff This hunting skiff was discovered in an old shed on Eastern Neck Island. It is thought to have come from Chincoteague, Virginia. It is a flat-bottom wooden cross-planked boat 17 feet, 11 inches in length and 48 inches wide. The stem and transom are constructed from white oak. The sides are made from cedar. It is fastened with steel nails.

Erected by The Friends

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of Eastern Neck, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1918.

Location. 39° 1.295′ N, 76° 13.789′ W. Marker is near Rock Hall, Maryland, in Kent County. It is in Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. It is on Tidal Marsh Trail west of Office-Visitor Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1730 Eastern Neck Rd, Rock Hall MD 21661, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hunting Waterfowl in the Chesapeake

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2025

2. Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting / Hunting Skiff Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Wickliffe (approx. 0.4 miles away); Living Shorelines at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (approx. 1.3 miles away); History of Bogles Wharf (approx. 1.3 miles away); In Recognition of Howard E. McIntyre (approx. 1.7 miles away); Tundra Swan Range (approx. 2.3 miles away); New Yarmouth (approx. 3.2 miles away); From Marsh to Working Waterway (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rock Hall.

Other markers no longer nearby. Birds of Prey-Hunters in the Sky (was approx. 1.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); Long Distance Travelers (was approx. 1.7 miles away but has been permanently removed); Clever Ruse (was approx. 2.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on May 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting⎯⎯⎯Hunting Skiff

Chesapeake Waterfowl Hunting
⎯⎯⎯
Hunting Skiff