Department Cites Charter Boat Operators Maryland Natural Resources Police have charged six charter boat operators with multiple fishing violations following a lengthy investigation into the use of prohibited fishing gear. The investigation began in October 2019 in response to tips received by concerned citizens. During the investigation, police discovered several charter boats had violated the Read the Rest…
Fishing opportunities abound in Maryland waters from the far western region to the Atlantic Ocean. Whether you are vacationing at Deep Creek Lake or Ocean City, be sure to make fishing part of your vacation plans — you will not regret it. On Aug. 27 at noon the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosts its Read the Rest…
Reservations Available for Free Boating Basics The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is partnering with Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) and the Boat U.S. Foundation for Safety and Clean Water for a series of free “Welcome to Boating” clinics. These clinics will provide instruction on how to properly launch, load, retrieve, and dock a Read the Rest…
New Primitive Deer Hunt Days in February The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that archery hunting for white-tailed and sika deer opens statewide Sept. 11, and continues through Jan. 30, 2021. New for the upcoming deer season, archery and muzzleloader hunters may participate in Primitive Deer Hunt Days from Feb. 1-3, 2021. During this Read the Rest…
New Deadline for Certain Licenses Sept. 30 Recognizing there have been unforeseen circumstances due to the pandemic, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is extending the deadline for certain 2020 -2021 Maryland commercial fishing license holders to renew their licenses and authorizations to Sept. 30, 2020.
Mourning Dove Season Opens Sept. 1 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the state’s 2020-2021 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the 2020-2021 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.
Summer fishing trips with the kids are always filled with fun — one never knows what will occur. On Aug. 20 at noon the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosts another Maryland Fishing Roundtable webinar on summer fishing. Biologist Matt Sell will discuss the unique and world-class fishing that can be found from Deep Creek Read the Rest…
Deadline for Hunt Clubs to Enter Lottery is Aug. 25 Hunt clubs interested in obtaining a hunting lease agreement on Chesapeake Forest Lands can now enter a lottery for individual, non-leased tracts in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will accept online entries until 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2020.
A Dorchester County resident has officially been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for a new state fishing record, Chesapeake Bay Division, for sheepshead. Daniel Mastronardi, Jr. caught the 14.1-pound record-breaking fish around noon on August 9, 2020 in the lower bay, with peeler crab for bait in about 15 feet of water Read the Rest…
Fishing opportunities are being found throughout Maryland during these warm days of August. From the smallest freshwater ponds to the Atlantic Ocean, all promise adventure and fun for those who take the time to seek them out. On Aug. 13 at noon the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosts another Maryland Fishing Roundtable webinar on Read the Rest…
Record July temperatures drive worse than average Bay oxygen conditions Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) monitoring data show that dissolved oxygen conditions in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay mainstem were worse than average in late July 2020. The hypoxic water volume (areas with less than 2 mg/l oxygen) was 1.75 cubic miles Read the Rest…
Original Work Submissions Taken Until Nov. 10 Artists are invited to submit their original works for the annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp design contest from now until Nov. 10, 2020. The winning entry will appear on the 2021-2022 Migratory Game Bird Stamp hunters purchase to hunt migratory game birds in Maryland.
Lottery Open for Wildlife Management Area Impoundments The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced a new schedule and process for annual permit-only waterfowl hunting at Deal Island Wildlife Management Area and Fairmount Wildlife Management Area impoundments, located in Somerset County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The changes are being made to reduce crowding and improve the Read the Rest…
August seems to have arrived in the blink of an eye, and families are doing their best to fit in some outdoor summer recreation time. Be sure to stay safe and follow the latest COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor recreation. On Aug. 6 at noon the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hosts another Maryland Fishing Roundtable Read the Rest…
Five Successful Applicants Begin Month-long Introductory Program The Maryland Natural Resources Police is proud to welcome five new entrants in its Cadet Program. Akin to an internship, this month-long program provides an opportunity for eager men and women between the ages of 18-21 to learn first-hand the job of a Natural Resources Police officer. Cadets Read the Rest…
Proficiency Tests Necessary to Participate The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the 2020-2021 Shooter Qualification Schedule which includes 20 qualification sessions at 15 locations across the state. Additional events are available upon reservation. Hunters should note that several shooter qualification sessions are conducted by appointment only and that many charge a minimal fee Read the Rest…
The land and the water are connected in so many ways, and many of these connections are unseen or little known. What washes off the land surrounding waterways, from manure to fertilizer to soil particles with traces of chemicals–even at a microscopic level–can have long-lasting impacts on a variety of species inhabiting Maryland waters.
Weighing just about the same as a penny, the mighty ruby-throated hummingbird makes a 1,000-plus mile journey each year. It travels from Central America back to the eastern United States in the spring to breed. The familiar hum of its flight and the flash of green are a welcome sight in gardens.
Here’s a tough question. How do we know where fish go or which underwater habitats they prefer when they are out of sight? Biologists have developed some special techniques to monitor fish and track their whereabouts. One method that helps biologists monitor fish populations is telemetry, which is the process of obtaining data remotely by Read the Rest…
Autumn is a time marked by cooling weather, falling leaves, and, of course, elections. While the pandemic has initiated an important discussion on how to hold elections, historically, Marylanders gathered in election houses to cast their votes. Election houses were small, purpose-built structures constructed specifically for voting. Today only a handful of them survive. One Read the Rest…
The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970 marked the birth of the modern environmental movement. In response to the movement, the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts were all created and Congress authorized the Environmental Protection Agency. On this 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we continue to focus our concern on sustaining Read the Rest…
Here in Maryland’s section of the Chesapeake Bay, gamefish such as striped bass are under constant pressure both from fishing and large fluctuations in environmental conditions like high temperatures and low oxygen. Striped bass, known colloquially as rockfish, are Maryland’s state fish. Pursuing this fish for sport is a time-honored tradition, as is protecting them, Read the Rest…
Born and raised in the Baltimore area, Beth Schlimm has always had an appreciation for Maryland’s wildlife. As a kid and aspiring herpetologist, she loved nothing more than spending days outside on the hunt for slimy and scaly critters like salamanders and snakes.
