The Maryland Park Service is challenging visitors to walk one mile for each year since the founding of our country – 250 miles for America’s 250th. The “Miles for Maryland” Trail Challenge encourages everyone to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and be active in 2026. Visit your nearest park, or explore the state to Read the Rest…
Maryland State Parks will offer First Day Hike opportunities across the state from December 31, 2025 through January 2, 2026. Hikes are held in every region of Maryland. Visitors can find a First Day Hikes event near them on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative Read the Rest…
Winter hunt offers last opportunity to bag deer with conventional firearms in the 2025-2026 season The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the winter firearm deer hunting season on Jan. 9, 2026 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from Read the Rest…
Harvest decreased about 10% compared to last year’s total Maryland hunters reported harvesting 27,620 deer during the two-week firearm season from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13. The firearms season harvest was 10.4% lower than last year’s official count of 30,833 deer but only 3% lower than the five-year average of 28,467 deer. The deer harvest fluctuates Read the Rest…
Early indicators suggest the coming months could be active for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wild birds again this year. Avian influenza, often called “bird flu,” is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds. While once considered rare in Maryland, the virus is now being detected more commonly in the state’s wild Read the Rest…
Each year, anglers, hunters, and other wildlife enthusiasts flock to remote areas of the United States in pursuit of regional species for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Many are familiar with the classics: Bull elk hunting in the Rockies, casting for elusive tarpon in the Florida Keys, and searching for ducks along the Mississippi Flyway. Each of Read the Rest…
Marina, boatyard, and yacht club operators are invited to attend a free seminar in January 2026 to learn about best practices to protect our waters and how to earn a Maryland Clean Marina designation. Seminars will also present results from the department’s 2025 Maryland Marina Survey, resiliency tools for marina, and offer free education and Read the Rest…
More than 555,330 Added in FY2025 Toward 2031 Goal Maryland’s 5 Million Trees program has reached more than 1.5 million native trees planted, marking a major milestone and reflecting strong momentum toward reaching the state’s ambitious goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031. More than 555,330 trees were planted in Fiscal Year 2025, according Read the Rest…
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local and Rural Legacy programs, and to support local recreation communication boards The Board of Public Works today approved $113.2 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for parks and land conservation in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Read the Rest…
Lethargic sea turtles and marine mammals should be reported to 800-628-9944 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks those visiting the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic coast to be vigilant of sea turtles who exhibit signs of cold-stunning, a condition that causes animals to become debilitated and experience hypothermia-like symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cold Read the Rest…
Anglers are now picking the days they fish based on weather, and there will be those sunny days with little wind that will invite anglers to wet a line. After December 10, the 2025 striped bass season will be closed in Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries. The tidal Potomac River Read the Rest…
Recognition for conservation, education, and sportsmanship The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission are seeking nominations for the annual Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award, a celebration of conservation, education, and sportsmanship. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who have worked to improve efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research, or made other Read the Rest…
Harvest down during opening weekend but DNR expects a firearms harvest similar to years past Maryland hunters reported harvesting 9,633 deer on the opening weekend of the 2025 firearm season from Nov. 29 – Nov. 30, according to data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The opening weekend harvest decreased 11.5% from last year’s official Read the Rest…
In the last week of October, Maryland’s outdoor recreation community gathered in Baltimore for our second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. Bringing together the partners that comprise and support Maryland’s outdoor recreation community – local and state government, environmental organizations, educators, outfitters, and other businesses – is essential. The science is clear: time in nature Read the Rest…
The second half of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer hunting season will be open Dec. 20 through Jan. 3, 2026. The first half of the split season was held in October. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this time.
Maryland anglers are adjusting to the colder weather and water temperatures and enjoying good fishing when the weather allows
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Rural Legacy, and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Permanent Easement programs The Board of Public Works today approved $3.75 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreation and land conservation in Baltimore, Cecil, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and St. Read the Rest…
Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University showed that 2025 seasonal hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l of oxygen—was slightly above average in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia. Hypoxia was below average in May and early June, then higher than average in late June through early Read the Rest…
Governor Wes Moore on Dec. 2 led the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Executive Council in approving the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which includes goals that will improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, increase access to nature, and support livelihoods that depend on this nationally treasured resource. The revised agreement supports the environmental and economic Read the Rest…
Pilot project will guide development of a restoration plan at an exciting period for mussel efforts in the state On a chilly fall morning, as fog drifted over the Potomac River, scientists with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hauled three concrete balls out of the water. Inside each of these 25-pound, thick-walled bowls was Read the Rest…
Colder weather is upon us but there are wonderful fishing opportunities for anglers who dress warmly.
Reisterstown and Forest Hill anglers complete 10-species milestone The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has recognized Darwin Hayward of Reisterstown and Vincent Tucciarella of Forest Hill for catching 10 different species of trophy-size fish to earn the FishMaryland Master Angler milestone. These two anglers bring the total number of Master Anglers in the program, now Read the Rest…
The project showcases how shoreline protection can benefit freshwater areas On the edge of Great Bohemia Creek, where in past years rushing water, boat wakes, and storm runoff undercut the riverbanks, a variety of natural shoreline protections now buffer the land at Bohemia River State Park. Marshes planted with grasses are reinforced with log structures Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” holiday gift drive at several locations across the state in advance of the 2025 holiday season. NRP officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for local children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Toys for Read the Rest…
Atlantic Population Canada goose season begins Dec. 19 Maryland’s Atlantic Population (Migratory) Canada goose hunting season opens Friday, Dec. 19. The season contains two segments, Dec. 19 through Jan. 3, 2026, and again from Jan. 14 through Jan. 31, 2026. Late southern and late western resident goose hunting split seasons run from late November into Read the Rest…
Warm days of early fall are well behind us and the leaves have fallen, but there is still a lot of good fishing to be had in the Chesapeake Bay and freshwater areas.
Funding approved for DNR’s Program Open Space Local, Community Parks and Playgrounds, Greenspace Equity, Rural Legacy programs The Board of Public Works today approved nearly $3.3 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreation and land conservation in Baltimore City and Baltimore, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Read the Rest…
The Maryland Park Service graduated 20 new State Park Rangers following four weeks of job training. Maryland Ranger School this year was held at the future Savage Highlands State Park in Garrett County, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2026. The rangers were honored in a ceremony held Nov. 11 at the Read the Rest…
Maryland State Park rangers and foresters found color this fall in the leaves, mushrooms, fruits, and flowers of Maryland, even a seasonal drought tamping down some of autumn’s glory. Here is a look back at some of the most impressive photos from this year’s Maryland Fall Foliage reports. While the opportunities to go leaf-peep may Read the Rest…
Allegany County residents and travelers should not be alarmed by smoke The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a controlled burn on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County in mid-November as weather and other conditions allow. The fire will create smoke. It will be a low, controlled flame targeting underbrush and Read the Rest…
The colder weather of late fall and early winter is knocking on our door. A cold front has swept across Maryland this week, so anglers will need to bundle up.
Popular deer hunting season provides quality time outdoors with friends and family Maryland’s two-week firearms hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Saturday, Nov. 29 and runs through Saturday, Dec. 13. The two-week season includes the opportunity to hunt on certain Sundays in all but three counties, affording hunters more weekend opportunities to hunt and contribute Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery is accepting orders for spring tree plantings at nursery.dnr.maryland.gov. More than 31 tree and shrub species remain available for purchase this year.
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) took action to stop illegal hunting during the state’s annual black bear hunt, held Oct. 20-25 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Officers cited several individuals for one or more violations including hunting without a license or without a black bear permit, illegally targeting bears over bait, and hunting Read the Rest…
Deer hunting opportunities still abound for the rest of the year Maryland hunters harvested 18,930 deer during the early portion of the 2025 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was an 8.1% decrease from last year’s official harvest of 20,592 deer for the same period. The annual deer harvest fluctuates from year to year for Read the Rest…
Leaves in western Maryland are well past peak, as are leaves in central Maryland. Lots of crunching underfoot. On the Eastern Shore, leaves are at their peak, with some vivid hues on display along fields and roads. Sweet gums and black cherry trees are turning orange and yellow; shrubs like lowbush blueberry are turning light Read the Rest…
Late fall is definitely arriving, with frost showing up in the mornings, leaves falling, and anglers bundling up when fishing. Sneakers are being replaced with knee boots and warm hats and coats prevail and gloves are soon to follow. The sunny days of fall offer fun opportunities for a day of fishing.
Last month, Maryland representatives joined officials from around the Mid-Atlantic region to put forth a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that includes firm timelines, required pollution reductions, and ambitious, yet reachable goals for improving the health of the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee approved the revised Agreement at its Oct. 28 meeting Read the Rest…
Board also approves dedication of Howard Heritage Trail at Freedman’s State Historical Park The Board of Public Works today approved more than $3.1 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and a land trust for parkland, recreational improvements, and land conservation in Anne Arundel, Howard, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Read the Rest…
More than 1,100 tern chicks have fledged from the artificial coastal bay island Maryland’s tern raft hosted hundreds of terns again this year—including nesting pairs of two different state-listed-endangered species—and saw more than 350 tern chicks fledge during the island habitat’s fifth year in operation. The wooden-framed artificial island has floated in Chincoteague Bay in Read the Rest…
Octogenarian hunter bags his first deer after years on the hunt At 89 years old, Ken Hibbs was moving slower than he once did, but that twinkle in his eye when he spoke about going into the woods during the early muzzleloader deer season was still there. Mr. Ken, as I call him, owned his Read the Rest…
Trails named in honor of Anna Murray Douglass and Sandtown community The Maryland Park Service today marked the 50th anniversary of Tuckahoe State Park and celebrated the contributions of abolitionist Anna Murray Douglass and the Sandtown community, dedicating more than five miles of trail inside Tuckahoe State Park to these cornerstones of Black Maryland history. Read the Rest…
Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Outdoor Equity Mini Grant program is doubling its impact in 2025, providing $65,000 to projects that are introducing more Marylanders to camping, mountain biking, outdoor education, and nature-based wellness. Projects chosen by DNR’s Office of Outdoor Recreation for funding include an initiative to introduce mountain biking to women in Read the Rest…
As cool temperatures set in, fall foliage is at its peak in Maryland – and past peak in Garrett County, where fallen leaves offer crisp contrast to the grays and greens of rocky trails. Trees along the Catoctin Mountain range have continued to change through the past week. The region is currently at peak color, Read the Rest…
The fall months offer comfortable temperatures for plenty of outdoor fun and the scenery of the changing foliage is icing on the cake. It is a wonderful time to share good times fishing together.
In early fall, as the leaves on the trees in Maryland’s western counties signal their seasonal transition, brook trout prepare for a change as well as their spawning season will begin soon. During this time, males’ colors become more brilliant, and females create underwater nests called redds where they will lay their eggs. Maryland Department Read the Rest…
Maryland hunters harvested 89 black bears during the state’s 22nd annual black bear hunt held Oct. 20-25 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The 2025 harvest was slightly lower than the 5-year average of 100 bears. The 2025 harvest consisted of 44 male and 45 female bears. The total harvest from each county was 62 Read the Rest…
Hypoxia volumes decreased in late summer from earlier highs Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University showed an above average volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l of oxygen—in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in early August, that then decreased to below average in late Read the Rest…
Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel will be afforded a unique opportunity to experience the tradition of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 1, 2025 and Feb. 7, 2026.
Much of Maryland is experiencing midpoint, near-peak, or peak foliage. Dry conditions and crisp temperatures are expected this weekend throughout the state, ushering in ideal conditions for fall foliage. The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory for Washington County Thursday evening.
