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Fred Bedell Honored for Service to Maryland Boating Access The States Organization for Boating Access recently awarded Maryland Department of Natural Resources employee Fred Bedell with the organization’s Outstanding Service Award. Bedell received the award in late August at the organization’s annual meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Bedell was recognized for 45 years of service with the Read the Rest…
Cold weekend temperatures have descended on just about every location in Maryland, putting an end to any summer plants and many of those pesky insects that were lingering into November. Cold weather is also pushing freshwater and saltwater fishing closer to a winter pattern. This is a time of great transition and great opportunity for Read the Rest…
Users Encouraged to Follow Posted Detours during Construction Project Significant project improvements along the Western Maryland Rail Trail will force temporary closures along sections of the trail between Nov. 27, 2017, and Jan. 27, 2018. This two-phase project will clean ditch lines and replace damaged guardrails and fencing along the trail. “For the safety of Read the Rest…
Public Comments Accepted Through Dec. 6 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the 15-year vision plan for Idylwild Wildlife Management Area, a 3,578-acre property in Caroline County. The vision plan was developed to establish long-term goals, and maintain and manage public access for outdoor recreation and natural resource protection. It Read the Rest…
Officers on saturation patrol for illegal deer hunters in southern Caroline County charged a Delaware man Saturday night with spotlighting a field. An observer aboard Natural 1, the Maryland Natural Resources Police helicopter, saw a vehicle slowly approach the intersection of Gregg and Ellwanger roads near the Maryland and Delaware state line. The vehicle then Read the Rest…
Diverse Group Graduated from Ranger School Nov. 10 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to welcome a new group of Maryland Park Service rangers. The 19 graduated Nov. 10 from Maryland Park Service Ranger School, which took place at New Germany State Park in Garrett County.
Reservations Taken for Nov. 20-22 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that it is continuing the Canada goose hunt on Deep Creek Lake and waterfowl hunt at Broadford Lake. Canada goose and waterfowl hunting is by permit and reservation only during select days of the season (Nov. 20-22). Interested hunters can apply for a permit Read the Rest…
Tom Brower is a project manager for the Shoreline Conservation Service, within the Chesapeake and Coastal Service, Center for Habitat Restoration and Conservation.
Orders Placed by Dec. 15 Receive Certificate in Time for the Holidays For a gift that will give back for years to come, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers the Gift of Trees, a program that allows individual and organizations to purchase native trees for planting in honor of a celebration, commemoration or observation. Read the Rest…
Complimentary Benefit Extends to Residents and Nonresidents In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Larry Hogan announced today that all military veterans, including residents and nonresidents, will be granted free admission and entrance to the network of 72 state parks managed by the Maryland Park Service. The governor’s announcement directly impacts over 414,000 veterans living in Read the Rest…
Effort Among Largest Such Projects in Maryland History The Nature Conservancy and Maryland Department of Natural Resources have announced the completion of the first stage of a major new project to restore floodplain connectivity to a nine-mile stretch of the Pocomoke River that had been dredged and channelized in the mid-20th century. By doing so, Read the Rest…
The fall colors are in full swing throughout much of Maryland this week, offering some added delight to fishing experiences; the leaves won’t last much longer so don’t miss out. Meanwhile, many of the best fishing opportunities are occurring this month, as fish feel the need to feed and prepare for the winter.
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 11-12, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. In western Maryland it appears that everything is happening at once, as eastern Allegany, Washington and Frederick counties are all reporting peak conditions, although muted. Weather has Read the Rest…
Turkey Hunters Take 105 Birds The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters harvested more deer during the early hunting season compared with last year. Maryland hunters wrapped up the early portion of the archery and muzzleloader seasons by harvesting an estimated 22,199 deer in September and October, an 11 percent increase from Read the Rest…
Officers Also Assist in Finding Lost Hunters in Worcester County Four Prince George’s County men were charged with deer poaching Saturday evening and their firearms, compound bow and tree stand were seized. Acting on a citizen complaint, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Prince George’s County officers went to a construction site near Ritchie Marlboro Road, Read the Rest…
Young Hunters Can Learn Sporting Skills and Traditions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to introduce youth to the time-honored cultural and sporting tradition this month during two Junior Deer Hunting Days. The hunt will be held Nov. 11 on private and public land in all counties, and Nov. 12 on Read the Rest…
The fall months offer some exciting fishing opportunities for anglers across Maryland, from the trout management waters of Garrett County to the shores of Ocean City. Daylight is getting sparser and this weekend the clocks fall back an hour, making it a little harder to get some fishing time after work and school. We’re all Read the Rest…
The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources acquisition of 191 acres in Kent County as an addition to Sassafras Natural Resources Management Area, which is adjacent to the property. The site features rolling farmland and mature forests as well as 1 mile of accessible shoreline along the Sassafras River and Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 4 – 5, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. In November we’re starting to think of oyster dressing, pumpkin pie and turkey dinners, despite the fairly mild temperatures and presence of still-green leaves on Read the Rest…
I regularly encourage everyone to get outside to enjoy Maryland’s great outdoors, especially our state parks and their 900 miles of trails, as well as unique water access and camping facilities found throughout the state. As part of that encouragement, we’re always looking to be innovative in our ways of providing outdoor recreation opportunities, both Read the Rest…
Park Programming Nov. 4 and 5 Ever wondered who the Indians were that fought in the French and Indian War? You can find out yourself at Historic Fort Frederick State Park Nov. 4 and 5, 2017. Discover the tale of the Cherokee Indians who worked with Maryland forces to defeat the French and their allies, the Read the Rest…
Two Dates Offer Introduction to Maryland Tradition The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites young hunters to hone their skills with the help of an experienced adult during two Youth Waterfowl Hunt days: Nov. 4, 2017, and Feb. 10, 2018. Anyone 16 years of age or younger can hunt coots, ducks, geese and mergansers on Read the Rest…
Historic Reenactments of Wartime Actions Oct. 28-29 For Americans keeping watch for the approaching British during the War of 1812, the aptly named Point Lookout in St. Mary’s County served as an ideal location. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources this weekend offers visitors to Point Lookout State Park a chance to witness living history of Read the Rest…
Results Indicate 131 Bears Harvested Unpredictable weather conditions in “Mountain Maryland” didn’t hamper hunters from enjoying time afield this week during the state’s 2017 Black Bear Hunting Season. Results of the 14th annual hunt reveal that 131 hunters successfully harvested a bruin over the four-day hunt in western Maryland despite battling heavy rains, reduced daylight Read the Rest…
Rescue Two Canoeists on Chester River; Cite Three for Striped Bass Violations A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer on patrol Wednesday evening arrested two men for possession of heroin during a traffic stop on Route 24 in Harford County. Joseph Francis Vanderwiele, 29, of Abingdon, was driving down the shoulder of the road around a traffic Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Water Quality Monitoring Data Indicates Second Best Year on Record Dissolved oxygen conditions in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay mainstem were much better than average this summer, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The results show that 2017 had the second-smallest Chesapeake Bay hypoxic volume (dissolved oxygen concentrations below two milligrams per liter) since 1985, for the regions and times Read the Rest…
It seems hard to believe but the month of October is slipping away and November is just around the corner. Temperatures continue to be somewhat mild, and it is a wonderful time to take the young ones out fishing after school or on the weekends. The fall trout stocking program for October is almost over; these put-and-take Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 28 and 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. Well, this is the weekend for ghosts, goblins and other fright-worthy tricks and treats, and there are lots of Halloween events for everyone to enjoy!
Hunters Encouraged to Wear Fluorescent Orange The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the fall turkey hunting season will open Oct. 28 and continue through Nov. 4 in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter. The 2017 Wild Turkey Observation Survey Summary shows turkey reproduction in Read the Rest…
Workshop Set for Nov. 2 in Crownsville The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will co-host a workshop Nov. 2 to solicit feedback on options to further develop data available on ocean marine life and habitat. Input received will help refine existing marine mammal and seabird data that is available on the Mid-Atlantic Ocean Data Portal, a Read the Rest…
Residents Reminded to Take Common Sense Precautions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents that black bears are beginning a period of increased feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation. During this time, bears may become more attracted to human-provided food sources and lose their natural fear of people, which can lead to potentially dangerous Read the Rest…
Passports Purchased Now Provide Extra Time for Public Access The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers access to outdoor recreation opportunities for everyone, and right now is an ideal time to get passes for entry to public lands for 2018. The Maryland State Park & Trail Passport available now provides access to our network of state parks now through Read the Rest…
Boat Explosion, Tree-Stand Falls among Maryland Natural Resources Police Responses A Sparrows Point man who thought he bagged a buck in North Point State Park paid hundreds of dollars in fines instead after he shot a Maryland Natural Resources Police robo-deer decoy. On the evening of Oct. 7, Thomas Ervin Minton, 45, was spotted by Read the Rest…
The much anticipated annual striped bass young of the year survey results have been released and they are positive. The number of two-year-old striped bass that are being encountered in all three regions of the bay also bode well for the future of striped bass fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. At present the two- and Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 21 and 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. The Mid-Atlantic region is basking in the glow of an Indian summer, and if you’re planning to head west this weekend, you should meet with good Read the Rest…
Eighteenth Century Recreation Highlighted Oct. 21-22 Visitors to Fort Frederick State Park this weekend can experience the type of diversions from military life that were available at the fort during the French and Indian War, as members of the recreated Joshua and Alexander Beall’s Company and Maryland Militia bring the fort to life. From 10 Read the Rest…
National Program Extends to Maryland State Parks The Maryland Department of Natural Resources once again is partnering with the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Every Kid in a Park program, which provides fourth-grade children and their families free admission to Maryland state parks along with national parks and other federal lands across the country. The purpose of Read the Rest…
Annual Young-of-Year Survey Tracks Spawning of State Fish Results of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2017 young-of-year striped bass survey in the Chesapeake Bay shows the fish is reproducing in strong numbers. The annual survey’s index is 13.2, above the 64-year average of 11.7. Striped bass, popularly known as rockfish, is Maryland’s state fish. The Read the Rest…
Will Strengthen the Outdoor Recreation Industry, Boost Rural Maryland Economy Governor Larry Hogan today announced Executive Order 01.01.2017.24 establishing the Maryland Outdoor Recreational Economic Commission (MORE). This commission will be responsible for developing strategies and making recommendations to the governor to strengthen the state’s outdoor recreation industry and help ensure increased investment in our state’s Read the Rest…
One-Stop Shopping for Outdoor Recreation Licenses Available Delivering on the Hogan Administration’s Customer Service Promise, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Maryland Department of Transportation/Motor Vehicle Administration have begun operating a combined service center in Salisbury.
Governor Larry Hogan Honors Conservationists at Government House More than 100 guests attended a reception Oct. 12 at the Government House in Annapolis to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Maryland Environmental Trust and honor landowners who have voluntarily and permanently preserved their land. Governor Larry Hogan, along with Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Read the Rest…
Recent warm weather has caused Chesapeake Bay and tidal river water temperatures to be rather stagnant this week. Water temperatures in all three regions of the bay are holding around 73 degrees to 75 degrees and the tidal rivers are running about 3-5 degrees cooler. It is going to take a prolonged cool front to Read the Rest…
Hunters Reminded to Practice Tree Stand Safety The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens statewide Oct. 19. This is one of several deer hunting opportunities offered in the state and typically coincides with pleasant fall weather. The early muzzleloader season runs from Oct. 19-21 in Deer Management Regions A and B. Region A Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Oct. 14 and 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Office of Tourism. Garrett County’s biggest event of the year, the Autumn Glory Festival, is underway in Oakland and other locations throughout the county. Highlights of the festival Read the Rest…
Pollinator-Friendly Species Highlighted This Year The John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is currently accepting shrub and tree seedling orders. The nursery offers more than 50 species of trees and shrubs to meet a wide variety of landscaping preferences and conservation needs. Popular this year are the many trees Read the Rest…
Public Comments Accepted Through Nov. 6 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the 15-year vision plan for Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area vision plan was developed to establish long-term goals and maintain and manage public access for outdoor recreation and natural resource protection on Read the Rest…
Rescued, Recovered Reptile Released A loggerhead sea turtle that had been found stranded in the Chesapeake Bay last fall has been released back to the water. On Thursday morning, the joint efforts of several organizations and individuals culminated when “Bailey,” an 86-lb. juvenile male, returned safely to the sea from Assateague State Park. Bailey was Read the Rest…
Deer Breeding Season Means Added Danger Cooling temperatures, colorful foliage and unpredictable wildlife are all signs that the fall season is upon us. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges motorists to stay alert for deer and other wildlife this time of year as these animals seek food supplies and mates. During this time of Read the Rest…
Poult Production Lower Than Average, But Turkey Population Resilient The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently completed the annual Summer Wild Turkey Observation Survey. The reproduction index of 2.3 poults per adult hen was below the 15-year average of 3 poults per hen, but slightly higher than the record-low 2016 index of 2 poults per Read the Rest…
