Natural Resources News
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Return is Sentinel of Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Recovery
Department Researcher among 14 Co-Authors in National Academy of Sciences Report
A new research article published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzes the positive impact of long-term nutrient reductions on an important and valuable ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay. The research indicates that a resurgence of underwater grasses is due to nutrient reductions from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Total Maximum Daily Load along with conservation incentives which have resulted in a healthier Chesapeake Bay.
Jonathan Lefcheck of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science, along with 13 co-authors, showed that a 23 percent reduction of nitrogen and an eight percent reduction of phosphorus has resulted in more than a threefold increase in abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay.
Florida Man Nabbed for Contraband Snakes and Lizards
Also, Officers Rescue Dog from Burning Boat, Make Arrests for Stuffed Owls and State Park Damage
A Florida man was fined and sentenced Thursday in federal court to probation and community service for illegally transporting snakes and lizards in a case investigated by Maryland Natural Resources Police.
William Carl Bartlett, 66, of Eastpoint, was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, received three years of probation and was ordered to perform 300 hours of community service. U.S. Magistrate Judge William I. Garfinkel also prohibited Bartlett from entering any Maryland state park or forest.
Bartlett, a snake and reptile collector, pleaded guilty last December to two counts of illegally transporting protected wildlife. He is the fourth person prosecuted as part of “Operation Kingsnake,” an investigation spearheaded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into individuals who trafficked hundreds of illegally collected snakes from 12 states and Canada.
Oldest State Police Department Welcomes Newest Recruits
Largest Academy Class in Maryland Natural Resources Police History
Thirty-four men and women yesterday took the first step to becoming Maryland Natural Resources Police officers when they were sworn in as the agency’s 59th basic recruit class.
The class is the largest in the department’s history and is beginning its training as the agency celebrates its 150th anniversary. Read more…
Secretary’s Message: March 2018
Seeking the Input of Maryland’s Experts – You
I have the privilege of working with a dedicated team of experts in the natural sciences. The staff of every unit at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is committed to constantly refining the management of public resources – fisheries, forests, public lands, waterways and wildlife.
But nothing we do can move forward without the most important member of our team – you!
Public comment and input are essential to our mission.
Right now, Marylanders have multiple opportunities to make their voices heard before we design or implement policies and practices that impact our shared natural resources. Read more…
Weekly Fishing Report: February 28
Photo by Brett Coakley
Most everyone has some observations they consider harbingers of spring. It could be as simple as crocus or daffodils popping up in the yard, geese flying north or even the sound of spring peepers in a nontidal wetland, singing the evening away.
For many anglers spring means fishing for yellow perch and white perch as they begin their annual spawning runs in Maryland’s tidal rivers – and they take center stage for the next couple of weeks. Both yellow and white perch are now being caught in various tidal rivers and creeks, but the best is yet to come.
Restoring Freshwater Mussels to Maryland Streams
Project’s Goal to Raise and Release Bivalves into Wild
The presence of freshwater mussels indicates a healthy stream, with the bivalves acting as natural filters – removing excess nutrients and sediment from the water and then slowly releasing food for other aquatic life. However, the once-plentiful mussels have been on a decline in Maryland streams due to a number of factors.
To help restore the state’s mussel population, Maryland Department of Natural Resources biologist Matt Ashton and Chesapeake Conservation Corps member Jennifer Tam are working to produce and rear freshwater mussels, with assistance of the Joseph Manning Hatchery in Brandywine.
Orchard Beach Marina Named Maryland Clean Marina
Annapolis Marina Met Department’s Voluntary Guidelines
Karen Fenwick of Orchard Beach Marina
Orchard Beach Marina in Annapolis recently passed inspection by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to become the latest Maryland Clean Marina, marking the 152nd marina to meet the state’s criteria.
Fourty-eight of the estimated 165 marinas in Anne Arundel County are certified as clean marinas. Read more…
Rosaryville State Park Completes Stormwater Project
Interagency Project Protects Bay, Improves Park
Three bioretention facilities have been completed at Rosaryville State Park in Prince George’s County, following a partnership between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration aimed at reducing the amount of nutrients and sediment entering the Chesapeake Bay.
The project is the first of several water quality projects on state land funded by the State Highway Administration. Other interagency projects include riparian tree plantings and stream restoration efforts.
Maryland Environmental Trust Offers Volunteer Training March 3
Opportunity to Get Directly Involved in Conservation
The Maryland Environmental Trust is offering a one-day volunteer training session for individuals interested in helping to monitor conservation easement properties. The training session will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 3 at Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, 600 Discovery Lane, Grasonville.
The Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, works with citizen land trusts and landowners to protect Maryland’s most treasured landscapes and natural resources as a legacy for future generations. These preserved lands are monitored annually to ensure the conservation easement values are permanently maintained. Read more…
Free Tree Seedlings Available for Allegany County Landowners
Riparian Homeowners Can Help Improve Water Quality
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted Allegany County communities.
County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program. Read more…
Maryland Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners Announced
First Lady Yumi Hogan Participates as Special Judge; Top Entries’ Schools Receive Free Tree Plantings
Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan with Arbor Day Poster Contest judges
Fifth-grade students who submitted Arbor Day posters to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources had their work judged today by a panel of forestry experts and a special guest judge, Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan, who is an accomplished artist and adjunct professor at Maryland Institute College of Art.
The posters were created using varied artistic techniques, including colored pencils, crayons, markers and paint, all illustrating this year’s contest theme, “Trees are Terrific…and Make Communities Healthy.”
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons Proposed for 2018-19
Public Comment Accepted Through March 14
Photo by Larry Hindman
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on the proposed 2018-2019 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons. The public comment period will close at noon March 14.
The seasons will be finalized in early spring after the department reviews public input and obtains approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read more…
522 Acres in Charles County Slated for New Wildlife Management Area
Board of Public Works Approves Program Open Space Acquisition
The Board of Public Works today unanimously approved a Maryland Department of Natural Resources acquisition of 522 acres in Charles County for the development of a new Wildlife Management Area that will provide both conservation and recreation benefits.
Adjacent to county managed land, the site will provide numerous recreational opportunities for Southern Maryland residents and visitors, including birding, hiking, hunting and trapping. The new property will be managed by the Wildlife and Heritage Service.
Ten Deer Test Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease
Samples Found Within Existing Management Area
Photo by Michael Douglas
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has received laboratory confirmation that 10 white-tailed deer sampled in Allegany and Washington counties tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease found in deer and elk.
All of the positive samples came from within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area.
Free Tree Seedlings Available for Garrett County Landowners
Riparian Homeowners Can Help Improve Water Quality
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted Garrett County communities.
County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program. Read more…
Two Florida Men Convicted of Hunting Violations
Two Florida men were convicted Wednesday of multiple counts of illegal deer hunting and were ordered to pay $6,000 in fines and restitution by a Cecil County District Court judge.
Lawrence Eugene Tatum II, 34, of Port Saint Lucie, received $2,000 in fines for four natural resources violations and a suspended $500 fine for trespassing. He was ordered to pay $2,000 in restitution to the state and perform 80 hours of community service. He also lost his Maryland hunting privileges for a year.
Chett Wade Cockrill, 46, of Boca Raton, was fined $2,000 for four natural resources violations and received a $500 suspended fine for trespassing. He had his Maryland hunting privileges suspended for a year and forfeited two rifles, a scope, a gun case and ammunition. Read more…
Maryland Hunters Harvest 86,542 Deer in 2017-2018 Season
Frederick County Led Statewide Totals
Photo by Paul Kane
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters harvested 86,542 deer during the combined archery, firearms and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 8, 2017, through Jan. 31, 2018.
The harvest exceeded the 2016-2017 total by more than 1,000 deer. Included in the statewide total were 7,204 deer taken on Sundays.
“Sunday hunting continues to be an important component in managing Maryland’s deer population,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said.
Free Tree Seedlings Available for Talbot County
Riparian Homeowners Can Reserve by April 13
White pine seedlings are among the varieties available through the Talbot County Backyard Buffer program
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Talbot County Forestry Board, is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted communities.
County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program.
Trees planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing nutrients, reducing sediment, stabilizing banks and lowering water temperatures. They also provide essential habitat for wildlife. Read more…
Public Input Sought for Hunting and Trapping Season Proposals
Comments Accepted until March 13
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is accepting public comment on proposed changes to the 2018-2020 hunting and trapping seasons. The department evaluates possible changes every two years.
Over the past several months, the department has presented proposed management concepts to a variety of external and internal partners and stakeholders, including farmers, hunters, trappers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Man Charged with Hunting Violations after Joint Investigation
A Cumberland man was charged Wednesday by Maryland Natural Resources Police with 14 hunting violations and faces additional charges in Pennsylvania after a joint investigation by wildlife officers from both states.
Christopher Alan Porter, 37, is due in Allegany County District Court May 8. If found guilty of all charges, he could be fined $5,500.
Late last year, a Maryland officer and a counterpart on the Pennsylvania Game Commission began following leads on complaints of illegal hunting activity and zeroed in on Porter after seeing photos circulating on social media of a dead nine-point buck extending from the trunk of a white sedan. Read more…
New Workforce Training Program Provides Entry to Green Careers
Work2Live WELL Now Recruiting Applicants in Baltimore City and Cambridge
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, today launched a new workforce development, skills and training program, Work2Live WELL, designed to provide entry into the emerging careers fields of the environment and natural resources.
With funding from the Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Maryland program, the pilot program is recruiting 30 adult applicants in the Baltimore City and Cambridge area.
Selected individuals will receive classroom instruction, field training, mentoring and a weekly stipend. Read more…
Free Tree Seedlings Available for Lower Eastern Shore Landowners
Available to Riparian Homeowners in Somerset and Worcester
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted Lower Eastern Shore communities.
Somerset and Worcester County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program.
Annual Survey Estimates Number of Ducks, Geese and Swans
Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Survey Shows Increase from 2017
Photo by J. Scott Bruce
Each winter, aerial survey teams of biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service make visual estimates of ducks, geese and swans along the state’s coast and shoreline. This year, teams counted about 1,023,300 waterfowl, well above the 812,600 birds observed during 2017 and higher than the five-year average of 851,980.
In general, biologists attribute much of the year-to-year variation to weather conditions in Maryland, as well as other locations on flyways used by migratory birds.
“Cold weather and accompanying ice and snow to our north will typically push birds south as they search for food and open water,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “The more severe that cold weather is the more dramatic migrations to more southerly locations can be.”
Navy, State and Nonprofits Partner to Conserve Land in Dorchester County
Farm Links Protected Areas to Create a 7,730-acre Corridor of Conserved Lands
Photo by Teena Ruark Gorrow for Chesapeake Conservancy
A partnership between the U.S. Navy, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and the Chesapeake Conservancy has led to the permanent protection of 230 acres on a family-owned farm in Dorchester County. Spread over three parcels, the farm is made up of 135 acres of prime agricultural fields and 85 acres of forest in the Nanticoke River watershed, one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most pristine landscapes and an important habitat for migratory birds.
Land Preservation and Recreation Survey Now Open
Citizens and Visitors Encouraged to Provide Feedback
Friends Forever by Ink Byers
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites residents and nonresidents to share their thoughts on land acquisition, conservation and recreation in the state by completing the Maryland Land Preservation and Recreation Plan Survey.
Individuals who complete the 3-5 minute online survey will be entered into a random drawing to win Maryland Park Service day-use passes.
The survey, which includes questions on outdoor activities, amenities and services like camping, fishing and hunting, helps guide the department’s decision-making, investments and programming.
195 Acres Permanently Protected in Washington County
Board of Public Works Approves Two Department Items
The Board of Public Works unanimously approved two Maryland Department of Natural Resources items today that will permanently protect 195 acres in Washington County through the department’s Rural Legacy and Conservation Reserve Enhancement permanent easement programs.
The two easements will complete the protection of the entire Pleasant Valley Livestock, LLC property in Smithsburg. Read more…
Youth Fishing Rodeos Set for 2018
Young Anglers Can Attend Free Events in 11 Different Counties
Even as winter gripped the region, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been making plans for the state’s young anglers when spring and summer finally arrive.
This year, 38 different organizations in 11 counties across the state are hosting youth fishing rodeos, providing fun and engaging educational opportunities for nearly 5,000 children.
“This is really exciting time of year,” said Youth Fishing Rodeo Program Coordinator Mike Anderson, who works with local organizations in developing these department-sponsored events. “Fishing rodeos provide opportunities to learn basic angling skills in a fun and safe environment, develop an understanding of the environment and natural resources and provide a unique experience that fosters an interest in conservation and fishing.”
Eastern Shore Waterfowler Recovering After Goose Injury
An Eastern Shore waterfowl hunter is in stable condition today at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center after he was knocked unconscious by a dead goose falling from the sky.
Robert Meilhammer, 51, of Crapo, was hunting with others shortly before 5 p.m. in the 25000 block of Voit Road in Easton, near the Miles River, when the group fired on a flock of geese overhead.
One goose fell about 90 feet to the ground and struck Meilhammer, knocking him out and causing head and facial injuries. Read more…
Winter Nest Box Maintenance
Now that nesting season is over, it’s time to take care of your nest boxes.
Bluebird nest box with old nest material; photo by J.N. Stuart, Flickr CC by NC ND 2.0
This is a great time of year to inspect any nest structures that you have and replace any potentially rotted material.
Winter Wildlife Safari
In winter, the weather gets colder and the days get shorter. Animals deal with these changes in different ways.
Some animals—like Baltimore orioles—migrate, or travel to other locations. Others—like little brown bats—hibernate, or go through a deep sleep. Others still—like gray squirrels—adapt to the cold by changing their daily activity patterns and layering on fat to insulate their bodies.
Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers
Have you ever noticed an almost straight line of holes gracing the trees in your yard or neighborhood? Most people generally identify these holes as belonging to a woodpecker, but only one species in our region feeds in a horizontal line: the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). Read more…
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day Feb. 10
Chance for Young Hunters to Hone Skills with Adult Mentor
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day statewide Feb. 10.
Hunters 16 years of age or younger may hunt coots, ducks, geese and mergansers on both private and public land this day when aided by an unarmed adult, at least 21 years old.
“Spending a winter day on a frozen tidal marsh or in a goose blind gives these young hunters a chance to see a side of Maryland that few get to witness” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said.
Secretary’s Message: February 2018
Bringing Everyone on Board for Stewardship
As we commemorate Black History Month and celebrate the many contributions of African Americans like Benjamin Banneker, Clarence Mitchell Jr., Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Josiah Henson, Matthew Henson and Thurgood Marshall, it is a time to reflect on Maryland’s past as well as the Free State’s future.
Midwinter Fishing Report: January 31
A member of the department’s trout stocking crew uses a chainsaw to cut into the ice at Greenbrier State Park.
Maryland started off 2018 with a deep freeze, and it remains to be seen what old man winter has in store for us in the next month. But as long as temperatures remain relatively moderate, there are all kinds of fishing adventures out there from the Atlantic Ocean to Mountain Maryland.
Anglers in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay are mostly pursuing yellow perch and catfish species in the middle to upper regions of the tidal rivers. Water temperatures are holding in the mid to upper 30s in most tidal rivers and yellow perch are holding in some of the deeper areas, waiting for warmer water temperatures next month. Often these deeper holes can be found near narrow bends in the rivers and a good depth finder can help locate where the perch are stacked. A bottom rig baited with a minnow is always a good bet to catch them.
Free Tree Seedlings Available for Eastern Shore Landowners
Available to Riparian Homeowners in Kent and Queen Anne’s
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree plantings to help improve water quality in targeted Eastern Shore communities.
Kent and Queen Anne’s County landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free tree seedlings through the department’s Backyard Buffers program.
Trees planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, reducing sediment, lowering water temperatures and stabilizing stream banks.
Maryland Clean Marina Workshops Scheduled in February
Registration Now Open
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will conduct a series of workshops in Anne Arundel, Dorchester and Harford counties to provide valuable information for marine facilities interested in learning about the Maryland Clean Marina Initiative.
Sessions times and locations are:
- 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Bush River Yacht Club, 4001 E. Baker Ave., Abingdon (please note this is a change from the original time.)
- 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 13 at Annapolis Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis
- 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 15 at Holiday Inn Express, Cambridge, 2715 Ocean Gateway, Cambridge
Workshops will provide valuable information to anyone interested in Clean Marina certification. All marine facility managers are encouraged to attend even those already certified. Read more…
Energy-Efficient Upgrades Completed at Sandy Point State Park
Save Nearly 400,000 Kilowatt Hours Annually
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently completed several energy-saving enhancements at Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County.
The new improvements are expected to reduce the park’s energy use by 45 percent, saving kilowatt hours used by almost 400,000 per year.
Public Input Sought on State Forest Work Plans
Comments Accepted Through Feb. 23
Green Ridge State Forest by Mark Beals
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 work plans for the following state forests: Chesapeake Forest/Pocomoke, Green Ridge, Potomac-Garrett and Savage River.
The comment period ends Feb. 23.
“We rely on the public’s input to help us develop the most comprehensive and effective management plans and practices to assure we all reap the positive benefits of healthy and sustainable forests,” Maryland Forest Service Director Don VanHassent said.
Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund Annual Report
Statewide Program Focuses on Most Cost-Effective and Efficient Water Quality Improvement Projects
Bishopville Dam Removal Project
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources released today the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund 2018 Annual Report, which details the program’s activities, expenditures and initiatives, including restoring 2,700 acres of wetlands, installing 1,161 acres of riparian buffer and educating and engaging over 34,600 students and volunteers.
The Trust Fund focuses limited financial resources on the most cost-effective and efficient pollution control and mitigation projects.
Governor Larry Hogan has continued to demonstrate his commitment to Chesapeake Bay restoration by fully funding the Trust Fund for the last three years. Read more…
Helicopter Assists in Arrest of Two Somerset County Watermen
Photo inside Natural One, the department’s helicopter
Maryland Natural Resource Police officers using radar, patrol boats and Natural One, the department’s helicopter, caught and arrested two Somerset County watermen Thursday for taking oysters from a state sanctuary.
David Thomas Wheatley Sr., 53, of Princess Anne and David Thomas Wheatley II, 30, of Deal Island, were each charged with one count of illegally harvesting oysters more than 250 feet inside the Manokin River Oyster Sanctuary. Read more…
Boating Slips Available at Pocomoke River State Park
Electrical and Water Hookups Located at the Shad Landing Marina
-
Shad Landing Marina at Pocomoke River State Park
Delmarva boaters are invited to rent annual, seasonal, monthly or daily boat slips at Pocomoke River State Park. The park, located within the 15,000 wooded acres of Pocomoke State Forest in Worcester County, has roughly two dozen slips available at reasonable rates.
Winter Turkey Season Results Announced
Fourth Annual Season Sees Harvest in 22 of 23 Counties
Photo by Isaac Bonneville
Hunters reported taking 87 wild turkeys during Maryland’s 2018 winter turkey season, which was open Jan. 18-20 statewide.
Turkeys were harvested in 22 of the 23 counties, with St. Mary’s, Dorchester, Garrett and Washington counties reporting the highest numbers, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Governor Larry Hogan’s Budget Fully Funds Bay Restoration and Land Conservation Programs
Hogan Administration Continues Strong Support for Environment and Natural Resources
Governor Larry Hogan’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2019 continues to demonstrate his administration’s strong support for Chesapeake Bay restoration and the preservation and protection of Maryland’s environment and natural resources.
“Actions speak louder than words and the governor’s budget can be heard loud and clear,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “Governor Hogan’s historic and targeted investments in bay restoration, land conservation and recreation programs are essential to our state’s progress meeting our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.” Read more…
Maryland Environmental Trust Protects Scenic Farm in Carroll County
Donation Conserves Scenic Farmland and Forest
The Maryland Environmental Trust has permanently protected a 45-acre property in northeast Carroll County.
Lewis M. Hale donated a conservation easement to protect prime agricultural land, forest and scenic views along Lineboro Road. The easement also protects a tributary of Muddy Creek.
Five Conservation Easements Protect 337 Acres in Baltimore County
Maryland Environmental Trust Accept Multiple Land Donations
The Maryland Environmental Trust accepted donations of five conservation easements in Baltimore County in December 2017 that permanently protect 337 acres of farm, forest, historic and scenic lands.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work with these forward-thinking landowners and our local community partners to help them achieve their goals for safeguarding these important pieces of our cultural and natural heritage,” Maryland Environmental Trust Director Bill Leahy said. Read more…
Community Resilience Grant Information Sessions Scheduled
Department Experts to Answer Questions about Funding Local Projects
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting four information sessions in two locations for local communities and nonprofits wishing to apply for funding through the Community Resilience Grant program in the coming fiscal year.
The department invites local partners to propose projects to prepare for coastal flooding, storms and other climate-related impacts, and to enhance community resiliency and sustainability through natural, nature-based and green infrastructure.
Maryland Winter Turkey Season Opens Jan. 18
Hunters Get another Chance to Bag a Wild Turkey
Photo by Lori R. Bramble
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering another opportunity for hunters this winter. Winter turkey hunting season runs Jan. 18-20 statewide, giving hunters that did not bag a turkey in the fall another chance.
The department established the winter season in 2015 in an effort to increase turkey hunting opportunities while minimizing conflicts with other seasons.
“Wild turkey populations are at all-time highs in many areas,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “This season offers a great opportunity for hunters to get outdoors when other popular hunting seasons are closed or winding down.”
Maryland Icebreaker Comes to Aid of Tangier Island
J. Millard Tawes Clears Ice for Neighbors in Need
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources buoy tender M/V J. Millard Tawes conducted emergency icebreaking operations to Tangier Island, Virginia, answering a call for help from our neighboring state. The crucial mission helped deliver food, fuel, mail, medications and other essential items to the island, which like nearby Smith Island, Maryland is usually only accessible by water. The Tawes sailed from Crisfield Thursday morning following a request coordinated through the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard. Additional photos here. Read more…
Duck Hunter Rescued From Icy Patapsco River
River Rescue, Illegal Hunting Top Natural Resources Police Activities
An Anne Arundel County man was rescued Thursday morning from the ice-clogged Patapsco River as he clung to the his overturned kayak.
Randall Heath, 46, of Pasadena fell from his boat while duck hunting about a quarter-mile offshore. His life jacket did not inflate and could not get back inside. A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer patrolling nearby heard emergency radio calls from Anne Arundel Fire Department and launched a patrol boat from Stoney Creek. Battling through ice floes up to six inches think, the officer reached the scene in 15 minutes. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Annual Photo Contest
15th Annual Photo Contest Runs Now Through Aug. 31
2017 Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner, “American Wigeon” by Nikunj Patel
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting entries for its annual photo contest. Photographers – novice or professional – can enter online or by mail for the chance to win cash and other great prizes.
Winning entries will be posted online, featured in an issue of the seasonal Maryland Natural Resource magazine, and placed in the 2019 wall calendar.