It’s mid-October here in Maryland and we have something to offer every fall foliage enthusiast. Crossing our state from west to east, you will experience it all — glorious autumn jewel tones decorating the skyline in the west —breathtaking sunrises and local critters basking in the last warm days of fall in the east. We Read the Rest…
This week is an exciting time for family and friends to be out fishing and enjoying the outdoors, as daytime temperatures become more moderate and a wide variety of fish become more active as waters cool.
Maryland’s ‘Other’ Hunts Provide Active Enjoyment The Maryland Department of Natural Resources remind hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. These species offer generous seasons and bag limits and a chance to make some great memories this fall and winter.
Time is Now to Plan Spring Planting Orders are being accepted for the spring 2022 planting season for shrubs and trees from the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Positive Change for Maryland’s Outdoors Maryland’s landscape is starting to showcase the vibrant colors of fall. Along with cooler, more pleasant weather, it is a spectacular and inviting backdrop that signifies the changing of the seasons. Governor Larry Hogan has also given us a reason to enjoy Maryland’s outdoors by proclaiming October as “Walktober” month Read the Rest…
Striped Bass Reproduction Below Average, Other Species Strong in Rivers The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of the iconic fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2021 young-of-year index is 3.2 which is slightly higher than last year but still below the Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) filed charges in September for a variety of conservation law violations including boating while intoxicated, possessing live snakeheads, illegal fishing and hunting, and selling potentially unsanitary crabs and oysters.
Here we are, mid-October, and reports indicate that the leaves are dropping quickly. With wet conditions the past few days and some wind in the forecast for the weekend we may see significant leaf loss through the next week. Fall seems to have taken hold across the state with the west near or at peak Read the Rest…
Children always offer a different window into our world, certainly a simpler type of fun and excitement. This could not be truer when they accompany us on our fishing and crabbing adventures. Right now blue crabs are heavy and laden with meat so do not put that crabbing gear away just yet.
Popular Season is Great Way to Enjoy Maryland’s Outdoors The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season runs from Oct. 21-23 statewide. Hunters in Region B — the state’s central, southern, and eastern regions — can also use muzzleloaders from Oct. 25-30 for antlerless deer only. The popular season Read the Rest…
Here we go folks, we’re seeing more color out west and the rest of the state is being blanketed in subtle yellows and reds. In the far western portions of the state our reports are indicating we’re at the mid-point, especially in the higher elevations. Through central and southern Maryland, we have a mixed bag Read the Rest…
Conservation Officers Cited for Going Beyond the Call of Duty The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony at Sandy Point State Park Oct. 2 to recognize contributions to conservation law enforcement made by officers in the year 2020. During a year that presented many challenges and difficulties, NRP officers remained steadfast and Read the Rest…
Early fall offers a wonderful opportunity to spend time outdoors with family and friends, especially our younger anglers. The fall trout stocking program has begun, offering excellent trout fishing at waters in most areas of Maryland. The Atlantic waters near Ocean City and Assateague Island, along with the Coastal Bays and the Chesapeake Bay all 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 be dangerous for both people and bears. Read the Rest…
$320,000 Available for Community Beautification, Greening, and Environmental Initiatives Forever Maryland, in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is now accepting applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program. Four different grants are being offered to help volunteer and nonprofit groups, communities, and land trusts support environmental education projects, Read the Rest…
New State Law will Reduce Plastic Pollution that Degrades Waterways and Threatens Animal Life The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) remind Marylanders that a new state law that prohibits intentional balloon releases is now in effect. The new Maryland law bans the releasing of balloons that, upon landing, create Read the Rest…
Maryland Motorists Should Remain Alert for Deer Deer mating season is right around the corner, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds motorists to be vigilant. During this time deer travel across roads in often unpredictable patterns at all times of the day in search of a mate. Most wildlife species are also more Read the Rest…
Cooler evenings and crisp mornings bring a change in the air, and the leaves are responding. Thanks to submissions from our readers, it looks like fall colors have finally spread across Maryland. Keep checking back each Thursday for the latest information.
As September fades into October, cooling temperatures will bring on more true fall-like fishing conditions. Anglers in the upper Chesapeake Bay are putting more focus on the fall striped bass run, while lower Bay anglers are also trying to get their last shots at Spanish mackerel, red drum, bluefish, and spotted sea trout. Fishing for Read the Rest…
Event Continues Outreach to Grow Stewardship and Involvement In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sandy Point State Park will host a Hispanic Heritage Environmental Festival on Oct. 2. Presented by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Conservancy, Corazón Latino, the National Park Service, and Defensores De La Cuenca, the event runs 10 a.m. to Read the Rest…
Proclaims Sept. 25 for National Public Lands, Fishing and Hunting Day Governor Larry Hogan today announced the creation of the Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the hiring of J. Daryl Anthony to serve as its first executive director. “One of our state’s hallmarks is the stewardship of Read the Rest…
Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. F. Scott Fitzgerald Fall is officially here and the trees are starting their transformation across the state. The western parts of Maryland will see the first true signs of color beginning this week, although things are off to a slow start. With the Read the Rest…
The pleasant days of September offer wonderful opportunities to spend time with children and make lasting memories they will take into their adult life.
St John’s Rock Campground Now Open to All Via Online Reservation The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced it has eliminated the day-use fee for riding the St. John’s Rock off-road vehicle (ORV) trail at Savage River State Forest, saving trail users $9 per rider and also removing the need for advance registration. Additionally, the Read the Rest…
Monarchs and Milkweed Festival Returns Sept. 25 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary to celebrate the fall migration of the monarch butterfly on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Adults and kids of all ages are encouraged to take part in a variety of activities, including tagging Read the Rest…
Bids for Annual Trapping Privileges Due in October The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is currently accepting bids for the 2021-2022 trapping season at several Wildlife Management Areas and other public lands. Deadlines for submitting bid packages are in October. The individual with the highest bid for each area will be awarded annual trapping privileges.
Hypoxic Volumes Increased, Heat and Rain Likely Contributors Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Old Dominion University show that dissolved oxygen conditions in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia worsened in August following two better-than average months. The hypoxic water volume — areas with less than 2 mg/l Read the Rest…
“Autumn comes with regal ease, content to arrive with slow grace. Though the first leaves have tumbled to the soil so rich with rain, most remain green, fluttering in the strengthening wind. And so, though I’m wishing for that garland of reds and golds, I must be as patient as she.” – Angela Caroline Abraham, Read the Rest…
Summer is still holding sway over the Maryland landscape but cooler weather keeps slipping in with more frequency. All of this makes for the perfect opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. For anglers who want to learn or brush up on boating skills, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and partners are Read the Rest…
Maryland Waters to be Ready for Harvest The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the fall trout stocking season will begin in early October. Thousands of brown, golden, and rainbow trout will be released in several creeks, ponds, and lakes throughout Maryland. Anglers should consult the 2021 Maryland Guide to Fishing and Crabbing for Read the Rest…
Living History Offers View into America’s Foundations Fort Frederick State Park invites Marylanders to experience Fort Frederick’s unique role during three centuries that shaped our country from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 18. A day of events will offer a glimpse of the historic fort in four key eras: as Maryland’s frontier defense Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Outdoors Preparing a Cool Transition to Fall One of Maryland’s favorite summer pastimes is visiting the Maryland State Fair. Now in its 140th year, DNR was pleased to participate again this year and showcase the many ways we work to preserve, protect, and enhance our state’s natural resources. It was also a great Read the Rest…
Fan Favorite Winner to Be Chosen on Facebook The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2021 Natural Resources Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Nathaniel Peck of Flintstone for his dramatically captured photo of nature in action, “A Raven Having Breakfast.”
“Autumn leaves don’t fall, they fly. They take their time and wander on this their only chance to soar.” -Delia Owens The maples and black gums continue to lead the fall transition, however most of Maryland is still seeing little change. Three factors influence autumn leaf color: leaf pigments, weather, and most importantly, length of Read the Rest…
Special Season Provides Additional Waterfowl Opportunity The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the September teal-only hunting season will be open from Sept. 16 through Sept. 30. Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset, the daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged), and the possession limit is 18 teal, or three times Read the Rest…
October Deadlines for Online Applications The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will be offering two opportunities for hunters to pheasant hunt throughout Maryland. The department invites all junior license holders, apprentice license holders, and lapsed hunters to apply to participate in this year’s stocked pheasant hunts and/or apply for the mentored pheasant hunt event. The stocked pheasant Read the Rest…
‘Small Grants, Big Impact’ Program Launched in 2020 Maryland State Parks are completing 15 projects with the assistance of a new grant program of the Friends of Maryland State Parks, improving trails and habitats and enhancing opportunities for kids and adults to learn about aquatic river life, pollinators, terrapins and more. Launched in 2020, the Read the Rest…
Maryland anglers will gradually begin to see their varied fisheries react to cooling water temperatures through September. Currently the summer migrant species in the Chesapeake Bay and offshore waters are present in good force, and freshwater anglers have plenty of fishing action across the entire Maryland landscape.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) announced charges for individuals throughout the state for illegal activities including boating while intoxicated, drunk driving, illegal fishing, and more.
Popular Hunting Opportunity Continues Through Jan. 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that archery hunting for white-tailed and sika deer opens statewide Sept. 10, and continues through Jan. 31, 2022. Archers may also use vertical longbows and vertical recurve bows Feb. 1-3, 2022 during the second annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days.
Free Basic Instruction Program Back by Popular Demand The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Marine Trades Association of Maryland, Annapolis School of Seamanship, and the Boat U.S. Foundation for Safety and Clean Water are sponsoring free “Welcome to Boating” clinics at Sandy Point State Park. The clinics — held on Friday September 17 from 11 Read the Rest…
Mourning Dove, Early Canada Goose Seasons Now Open The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the state’s 2021-2022 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the 2021-2022 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping.
There are many fishing opportunities in Maryland and many anglers are taking full advantage of the late summer fishing scene. Although the Labor Day weekend is traditionally the end of the summer vacation season, Marylanders know that great fishing will continue for the months to come. Be sure to check the Maryland striped bass fishing Read the Rest…
State Forest Facility to be Closed Four Weekdays to Allow Work All three shooting ranges at Elk Neck State Forest — rifle, pistol, and shotgun- – will be closed to the public on Monday, Sept. 13, and Tuesday, Sept 14 and again on Monday, Sept. 27, and Tuesday, Sept 28 to allow a contractor to Read the Rest…
Maryland’s Agreement with Exelon Will Bring Even Greater Results in Eel Passage and Increased Numbers of Water-filtering Mussels The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announce that more than half a million eels have passed from below the Conowingo Dam to be placed in the river above this Read the Rest…
Artists can Submit Original Work until Nov. 5, 2021 Artists are invited to submit their original works for the annual Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp contest, which is open to residents and nonresidents until November 5, 2021. The winning entry will appear on the 2022-2023 Migratory Game Bird Stamp required to hunt migratory game birds Read the Rest…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Exhibits in the Mosner Miller Building The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will bring displays, exhibits and programs about our state’s forests, fish, waters, and wildlife to the 2021 Maryland State Fair at the Timonium Fairgrounds from Friday, Aug. 26 – Monday, September 6.
Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio Presents ‘State of the Lake’ Address Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio on Tuesday delivered a “State of the Lake” to homeowners, officials, and stakeholders with interest in Deep Creek Lake. The secretary also announced $2.2 million in additional funding for dredging as part of her presentation. Speaking to the Read the Rest…
Mother Nature is dealing Maryland some hot daytime temperatures this week, and many of those seeking some relief will flock to the water. Fishing for a variety of freshwater and saltwater fish could hardly be better as we approach the zenith of our summer fisheries, from the cool mountain streams of Western Maryland to the Read the Rest…
Florida Man Recognized with 1,135-pound Catch at Tournament A Florida angler is the new Maryland state record holder for a blue marlin, which he caught in an August 20 tournament at Ocean City.