DNR Secretary Honored by Maryland Sportsmen
MLSF presenting Griffin with the Sportsmen’s Best Friend of the Year Award
The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF) presented DNR Secretary John R. Griffin with its prestigious Sportsmen’s Best Friend of the Year Award at its 12th Annual Banquet and Auction. More than 200 people attended the event, which was held on May 15 in Annapolis.
“Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Maryland, and the State’s sportsmen are among our most committed environmental stewards and conservationists,” said Griffin, who takes on a new role as Governor Martin O’Malley’s Chief of Staff on May 20. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the department’s extraordinary team of dedicated natural resource professionals, who work to manage our fish and wildlife populations and provide extraordinary opportunities for sportsmen and women.”
Learn more about foundation’s work at www.mdsportsmensfoundation.org.
Marylanders Reminded to Keep Fawns Wild
With late spring being the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases the doe is nearby protecting and feeding their offspring as needed. Removing these animals from the wild for care is unnecessary, dangerous and illegal. Read more 
Spring Turkey Hunts to Open Mid-April
Jermaine Johnson, Jr. with his 22-pound wild turkey from last year’s junior hunt.
Youth hunters will kick-off Maryland’s spring turkey season with Junior Turkey Hunts on April 13 on public or private land statewide, and April 14 on private land in Caroline, Dorchester, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. Spring turkey season will run from April 18 through May 23 statewide. Read more
Riparian Property Licensing Open
Application Deadline June 1
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for offshore waterfowl blind and shoreline licenses for riparian (waterfront) property owners. A license will establish offshore stationary blinds or blind sites for hunting waterfowl, or prevent others from licensing the shoreline at a later date. Read more
2013 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey Results Are In
Waterfowl Areal Survey
Each winter, during the first weeks of January, pilots and biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. This year survey teams saw an overall increase in the total number of waterfowl compared to last year. Crews counted more Canada geese and snow geese but observed fewer ducks, compared to 2012. Read more
DNR Seeks Black Bear Conservation and Migratory Game Bird Stamp Designs
The 17th annual Black Bear Conservation and 39th annual Migratory Game Bird Stamp design contests are open and ready for submissions. Waterfowl and wildlife artists can submit their original artwork for the contests through March 15. The Department of Natural Resources will judge the contest entries on March 24, 2013 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md., in conjunction with the 24th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show.
Read more
Crownsville Cooperative Wildlife Management Area Opens to Hunting
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened a new deer hunting area in Anne Arundel County. The 546 acre Crownsville Cooperative Wildlife Management Area (CWMA) will open for regulated deer hunting beginning on Nov 26, 2012 and running through Jan 31, 2013. Deer hunting only is permitted at Crownsville CWMA. The program will follow established season dates and bag limits found in the 2012-2013 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.
The new program is designed to provide managed-access to the site through a partnership with DNR and Anne Arundel County Parks. Anne Arundel County Parks acquired this property in 2009. At that time, the Maryland Board of Public Works required development of a CWMA as a mandatory condition of the transfer.
Two Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Announced
Experienced waterfowl hunters are invited to introduce young people to the sport during Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days to be held on November 3, 2012 and February 9, 2013.
Youth ages 15 years or younger may hunt duck, geese, merganser and coot in public and private waterfowl hunting areas, when accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old who holds a valid Maryland hunting license or is exempt from the hunting license requirements.
More Deer on Roadways
Photo by Dwight Burdette
Deer activity is beginning to increase as these animals seek fall food supplies and enter their breeding season. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges motorists to be alert for deer and other wildlife during this time.
Bidding Opens for Trapping Privileges on Select Lower Eastern Shore Properties
Photo by: John White
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting bids for the 2012-2013 trapping season for Johnson Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Janes Island State Park, Hickory Point Natural Heritage Area and all Somerset and Worcester County WMAs.
