Natural Resources News
Suspect Charged in Spree of Boat Break-ins and Kayak Thefts
Pennsylvania Man Charged with Drunken Boating
A Glen Burnie man was arrested on multiple counts of burglary and theft from marinas and private piers after a joint investigation by the Maryland Natural Resources Police and Anne Arundel County Police.
Daniel Francisco Bohle, 19, was charged with 40 counts, including felony and misdemeanor theft and burglary, destruction of property, trespassing and destroying serial numbers. He turned himself in Aug. 10 and was released on his own recognizance. Read more…
Trapper Education Course Offered in September
Registration Required by Sept. 14
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is holding a trapper education course from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22, 2018, at the Casselman Valley Sportsman’s Club in Garrett County (8751 National Pike, Grantsville).
Anyone interested in trapping furbearers, under the authority of a Furbearer Permit, must first obtain a Certificate of Trapper Education from the department.
Maryland Fishing Report: August 15
Travis Long was enjoying catch-and-release fishing for large red drum in the Chesapeake Bay recently and holds up a prize caught while jigging, before slipping this big girl back into the bay waters. Photo courtesy of Travis Long
One of the fun and exciting things about fishing is you just never know what surprises await when you cast your fishing line into the water. Some have been surprised with a record-breaking catch, a novelty catch or just a fun encounter with a fish to help round out a peaceful day. Enjoying the outdoors tends to be that way; you never can be sure what is around the next bend in a trail, or what a day out on the water has in store for you.
Lifeguards Compete to Showcase Skills, Build Camaraderie
Annual Competition Demonstrates Expertise, Tenacity
Photo of lifeguard chair by Richard Dos Santos
Six teams of lifeguards from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources put their skills to the test in a competition held Aug. 7 at Hart-Miller Island State Park in Baltimore County.
The Maryland Park Service hires more than 120 lifeguards each year to protect summer swimmers and waders at the state’s beaches, lakes and pools. They continually complete strenuous skills training to maintain peak physical condition to guarantee the best protection available for state park patrons.
2018 Photo Contest Deadline Approaches
Submissions Accepted Through End of August
Photo by Stephanie Somers
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting entries for its 15th annual photo contest until Aug. 31. Photographers of all skill levels can enter online or by mail for a chance to win cash and other great prizes.
This year is shaping up to be a banner year for submissions, with more than 300 photographers already entering their original work.
Contest categories include birds, flora, insects, outdoor recreation, nature in action, scenic landscapes and wildlife. First, second and third place winners for each season, as well as one grand prize winner, will be selected by a panel of judges. An additional “Fan Favorite” winner is selected by popular vote on Facebook. Read more…
National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebrated Sept. 22
Free, Family-Friendly Event in Washington County
Anglers, conservationists, hunters and others interested in the great outdoors are invited to take part in the annual National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration Sept. 22.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Izaak Walton League of America will host a free, family-friendly event – rain or shine – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 12759 Independence Road, Clear Spring in Washington County.
Featuring exhibits from various sportsman clubs, conservation organizations and small businesses, visitors will enjoy educational and interactive activities and programming, including spin-casting and wildlife identification, as well as instructor-led archery and target shooting. Read more…
Maryland State Parks Offer View of Perseid Meteor Shower
Stargazing Events Light up August Weekends
Photo by Konstantinos Mamalis
Several Maryland state parks will offer opportunities to observe the Perseid meteor shower and other celestial vistas in August.
Commonly referred to as “the Perseids,” this spectacular display of meteors is one of the most popular astronomical events of the year. At peak Aug. 11-13, between 60 and 70 meteors per hour might be seen from the ground, depending on location and weather.
The darker the location, the better the chance for the shooting stars to be visible, making state parks – areas devoid of light pollution – ideal locations for viewing. And this year, the dark “new moon” arriving Aug. 11 should make viewing even better. Read more…
Late July 2018 Hypoxia Report
Heavy Rainfall and Sustained Winds Helped Produce Best Recorded Results Ever
Due to extreme summer weather, dissolved oxygen conditions in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay mainstem were the best ever observed in late July, reports the Maryland Department to Natural Resources. The department tracks hypoxia throughout the summer during twice monthly monitoring cruises.
The hypoxic water volume (areas with less than 2 mg/L oxygen) was 0.26 cubic miles.*
Maryland Fishing Report: August 8
Poppy Lewis is all smiles with her white perch that she caught all by herself. Photo by Keith Lockwood
It is often said that summertime is for kids, and truer words could not be spoken this month.
August will be gone in a flash so don’t delay getting any youngsters you know out or near the water to enjoy some fun fishing.
Two fish that are always ready to accommodate our young anglers are bluegill sunfish and white perch. Kids need plenty of action to keep them interested and these two species can provide that if you take the steps to ensure success.
It is pretty hard to beat worms and a bobber for bluegills at a local pond or fishing under a dock with grass shrimp and a simple one-hook bottom rig for white perch.
Eastern Shore Waterfowl Hunting Applications Now Being Accepted
Permits for Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas
Hunters can now submit applications for the annual permit-only waterfowl hunting days at Deal Island Wildlife Management Area and Fairmount Wildlife Management Area impoundments in Somerset County.
Applications to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources must be received by Sept. 10.
Permits will be issued through a lottery drawing, with assignments based on a hunter’s stated preference for area and date.
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