Natural Resources Police Blotter

A Thurmont man has been charged with illegal hunting activities at Cunningham Falls State Park this fall by the Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Darryl Eugene Rice, 46, of Thurmont, received two citations last Thursday: one, for constructing a permanent stand without a permit; and a second for placing bait on state-owned land open to public hunting. Rice received warnings for a second permanent stand and a second baited site.

An officer on patrol in early October found corn and fruit in two locations in the park with trail cameras overlooking the baited areas. He found tree stands within 30 yards of both baited areas. The tree stands had steps screwed into the trees and were starting to grow into the tree.

From Oct. 7 to Nov. 22, the officer continued to check the sites and saw that the areas were rebaited and cameras were removed and returned. The trail cameras had abbreviated identifying names and numbers written on the backs of the trail cameras.

On Dec. 11, the officer received a call for a dispute between hunters, one of whom was Rice. Days later, while the officer interviewed Rice about the dispute, the hunter acknowledged having trail cameras, bait and tree stands on public land.

Rice is scheduled to appear in Frederick District Court on Feb. 9. If found guilty of both violations, he could be fined as much as $1,000.