Natural Resources News
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Keith Eric Thomas
A waterman already prohibited from harvesting wild oysters was charged Wednesday with violating that order by Maryland Natural Resources Police. Read more…
Two Men Charged in Serious Jet Ski Accident on Middle River
Two Baltimore County men have been charged by the Maryland Natural Resources Police in connection with an alcohol- and drug-fueled jet ski accident in September that injured two people. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Officers Pounce on Poachers
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged poachers in Queen Anne’s and Somerset counties with fishing violations in recent cases. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Officers Seized an illegally harvested nine-point buck
Natural Resources Police officers charged deer poachers and rescued a lost hunter during the opening weekend of firearm deer season. Read more…
Maryland State Park Ranger Honored for Service and Volunteerism
(L to R) Steve McAdams, Executive Director, Gov. Office of Community Initiatives; Bill Basil, Executive Director, National Service Corporation; Ranger Chris Gleason-Smuck; First Lady Yumi Hogan. Photo credit Joe Andrucyk
The Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism recognized Maryland State Park Ranger Chris Gleason-Smuck for his exemplary public service. In addition to his state responsibilities, Gleason-Smuck volunteers many hours of his free time to his local fire and rescue departments. Read more…
St. Mary’s Waterman has Oyster License Permanently Revoked
A St. Mary’s County waterman had his commercial license permanently revoked by a district court judge after a hearing on multiple poaching charges. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged poachers in Queen Anne’s and Washington counties with fishing and hunting violations and arrested a felon with multiple firearms in Frederick County in recent cases.
Read more…
Firearm Deer-Hunting Season to Open in Maryland
Photo from FWS.gov
Two-Week Season Runs November 28 to December 12
The two-week firearm deer season opens Nov. 28 and runs through Dec. 12. Hunters who possess a valid Maryland hunting license or are exempt from license requirements may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season.
Berlin Angler Sets Maryland Coastal White Perch Record
On November 17, Finn McCabe from Berlin pulled in a record-setting 1.2-pound, 13-inch white perch from Ayers Creek as the sun began to set over the Route 376 Bridge west of Sinepuxent Bay and Assateague Island.
Improving the Annapolis Edge
When the staff of the Annapolis Maritime Museum noticed water lapping against their building’s foundation, they knew it was time to make some changes. Located at the mouth of Back Creek and the Chesapeake Bay, the museum’s shore is vulnerable to the effect of powerful storms and sea-level rise.
Through a partnership with Maryland Department of Natural Resources, its Maryland Conservation Corps, the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the museum launched a living shorelines project to halt the erosion. The $90,000 project was announced at an event held on Monday, Nov. 16, which included representatives from the partner organizations as well as Annapolis City Mayor Mike Pantelides.
Western Maryland Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation named Wildlife Conservationist of the Year
(L to R): Bobby Boarman, Pres. of State NWTF; Roger Griffin, Committee Member of Chapter; Brian Friend, Pres. of Chapter; Paul Peditto, Director WHS; Clarissa Harris, Regional Wildlife Response Coordinator; Shawn Weddle, Regional Director NWTF
The Wildlife Advisory Commission named the Western Maryland Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation its Maryland Wildlife Conservationist of the Year for 2014. The group was recognized for their continuing work regarding hunter recruitment, youth mentoring opportunities and wildlife conservation. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged three hunters for wildlife violations and one man for unauthorized driving on state land in incidents that occurred in Frederick, Allegany and Harford counties. Read more…
Canada Goose Hunting Season to Open in Maryland
Maryland’s migratory Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season runs from Nov. 21 through Nov. 27, and again from Dec. 15 through Feb. 3, 2016.
23,000 Deer Harvested in Maryland during Early Hunting Season
Turkey Harvest Declines 13 Percent from Last Year
Maryland hunters harvested more deer during early hunting season compared to this time last year. Department of Natural Resources biologists attribute the increased harvest to a scarcity of acorns across most of the state, causing deer to move more in search of food. Read more…
Three-Day Goose Hunting Season to Open at Deep Creek Lake
A new hunting opportunity on Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County will allow hunters to harvest geese at one of three open water sites on Nov. 23, 24 and 25, 2015. Goose hunting on Deep Creek Lake is by permit and reservation only during these select days of the season. Read more…
Maryland Park Service Graduates 24 New Park Rangers
Secretary Mark Belton addressing 24 new rangers
Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton addressed 24 new rangers who graduated from the month-long Maryland Park Ranger School at a ceremony at New Germany State Park in Grantsville. Comprised of both new and veteran state park employees, the graduates have devoted themselves to protecting the state’s historic and natural resources. Read more…
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police charged hunters in Frederick and Allegany counties last weekend with wildlife violations.
On Saturday, two Cumberland residents received citations for poaching deer by an officer responding to a complaint of shots fired near the intersection of West Flintstone Creek Road and Benson Farm Lane. Read more…
Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail Inducted into Rail-Trail Hall of Fame
Slated to become a part of the Grand History Trail linking Maryland, Pennsylvania and D.C.
Monkton Train Station
The Torrey C. Brown Rail Trail earned the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s highest award today at a ceremony in York, Pa., when it was inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame along with its connecting Pennsylvania counterpart, the Heritage Rail Trail County Park.
Out of more than 1,900 trails in the rail trail network nationwide, only 29 hold this title. Read more…
Somerset County Farmland Protected
Maryland Environmental Trust Conserves 30 Acres
A new conservation easement totaling 30.2 acres will permanently protect important farmland in Westover, located in Somerset County. Landowner Frederick Howard donated the easement to the Maryland Environmental Trust to safeguard its resources and his family’s legacy. Read more…
Two Junior Deer Hunt Days Set for November
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to introduce youth to this time-honored tradition during two Junior Deer Hunt Days: Nov. 14 on public and private land in all counties; and Nov. 15 on private land in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties. In Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, the junior deer hunt is open on Nov. 15 on private and designated public lands. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged hunters and anglers in Baltimore, Allegany and Talbot counties with poaching in recent cases. Read more…
Natural Resources Police Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a crab poacher in Queen Anne’s County and two illegal deer hunters in Allegany County in recent cases. Read more…
Dead Manatee Found at Assateague Island National Seashore
Photo from the National Park Service
A manatee carcass was discovered last week at Assateague Island National Seashore near the Maryland-Virginia border and is currently undergoing examination to determine the cause of death.
Record Number of Black Bears Harvested During 2015 Maryland Hunt
95 Bears Exceeds 2013 Record
Ronald Oberender of Toddville harvested the largest bear of the season.
The 2015 Maryland Black Bear Hunting Season came to a close on Oct. 29, with a record 95 bears harvested and reported into mandatory check-in stations across Garrett and Allegany counties. The harvest total is one more than the previous record of 94 set in 2013. Ronald Oberender of Toddville took the largest bear of the season, a 520-pound male. Read more…
Maryland on track to meet 2020 climate goal
Maryland on track to meet 2020 climate goal
Department of the Environment reports steady progress, emerging opportunities
Maryland is on pace to meet the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required under State law while benefiting from billions of dollars in economic growth, but continued progress will be needed to minimize the effects of climate change while continuing to create jobs, a new Maryland Department of the Environment report states.
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Three hunters were charged Wednesday with bear poaching on state land in Garrett County and another hunter was charged in Allegany County by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers. Read more…
Fall Turkey Season to Open in Western Maryland
Maryland’s Fall Turkey Hunting Season will open Oct. 31 and continue through Nov. 7, 2015 in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter.
Two Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Announced
Young Maryland hunters can hone their skills with the help of an experienced adult during two Youth Waterfowl Hunt Days on Nov. 7, 2015 and Feb. 6, 2016. On those days, hunters 15 years of age or younger may hunt ducks, geese, mergansers and coots on public and private land when aided by a qualifying adult.
All junior hunters and their adult mentors must possess a Maryland hunting license. Youth waterfowl hunters must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp, but do not need to purchase a federal duck stamp if under 16 years of age.
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Trees covered in peanut butter to attract bears
The Maryland Natural Resources Police charged nine men in Garrett and Allegany counties with illegal bear and deer hunting in separate incidents. Read more…
The Department of Natural Resources Announces New Members to the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today announced the four new members of the Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board. Deep Creek Lake residents Robert Kelly and Marta Shroyer will serve on the board as Garrett County appointees, and Greg Snook and James Bailey will serve as at-large members. Snook will also serve as the new board chairperson.
Natural Resources Police Blotter
Maryland Natural Resources Police officers charged men in Frederick County yesterday with violations of state forestry and hunting laws.
John Wade Dyer, 36, of Culpepper, Va., was issued two citations for operating a tree expert business without a license and soliciting business without a license (false advertising). He also was ordered to cease-and-desist operations.
Maryland pursues new tools, greater teamwork for faster, better restoration of Chesapeake Bay
Maryland is developing a nutrient trading policy to accelerate the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay while reducing costs to local governments and citizens and boosting private sector jobs, the Maryland Departments of the Environment and Agriculture announced today.
Cecil County Curatorship Opportunity
All those interested in becoming curators of the historic Old Bohemia Tennant House in Cecil County are invited to join the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for an open house. Come tour the house and grounds between 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 and learn more abut this historic property and Maryland’s Curatorship Program.
The Old Bohemia Tennant House is available for restoration under the Department’s Resident-Curatorship Program, which matches up historic properties with people interested in restoring, maintaining and periodically sharing them with the public in return for the right to lifetime tenancy.
Upper Marlboro Sportsman Sets New Maryland Snakehead Record
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that Michael Meade of Upper Marlboro, Maryland set a new state sport fish record with a 17.49-pound northern snakehead while fishing with bow and arrow along the marshes of Mattawoman Creek.
“It was about 10:30 at night when I brought it onboard, and it was the biggest snakehead I had ever seen,” Meade said. “When I got home, I stepped on a bathroom scale with the fish, and it was over 17 pounds. So, I put it in a bucket of ice water and went looking for a certified scale.”
The next day in Marbury, Gray Brothers Market Store Manager Stacy Long confirmed the weight on a Maryland Department of Agriculture-certified digital scale. Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist Mary Groves subsequently confirmed the species, making the record official.
Undammed: Bishopville Project a Success
A four-foot high sheet metal dam has been replaced with 635 linear feet of re-established stable stream channel and wetland habitat. The Bishopville Pond Dam removal project, which spanned a decade, cost $1.5 million — with over half funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through the Chesapeake & Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund.
Early Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens in Maryland on October 22
The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens Oct. 22, and serves as one of several deer hunting opportunities that help manage populations, and provide hunters with food and recreation.
The early muzzleloader season runs from Oct. 22-24 in Deer Management Regions A and B, which comprise the entire state with the exception of Baltimore City. Region A consists of Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties (private land codes 250 & 251), and Region B is the rest of the state.
Maryland Online Tree Nursery Now Accepting Orders
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting tree seedling orders through the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery for larger plantings on private lands. There are more than 50 tree species available to meet a variety of aesthetic and environmental needs.
NRP Blotter
The Maryland Natural Resources Police charged men in two counties with violations of fish and game laws. Read more…
Frederick County Shotgun Deer Hunting Zone has Changed
Effective immediately, the shotgun-only deer hunting area in Frederick County has been rezoned. The change was made at the request of Frederick County officials in cooperation with the Maryland Farm Bureau to incorporate the city and surrounding suburbs, and to give deer hunters the option to use rifles in the rural sections of the county. Read more…
Maryland Motorists: Stay Alert as Deer Activity Increases
Photo by Tim Ward
Cooling temperatures, colorful leaves and unpredictable deer ─ all surefire signs that fall is upon us. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges motorists to be alert for deer and other wildlife as these animals seek food and search for mates. Read more…
Black Bear Activity Increases in the Fall
Residents Reminded to take Precautions
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 dangerous encounters.
Read more…
Joanne Throwe Named Department of Natural Resources Deputy Secretary
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary (DNR) Mark Belton today announced the appointment of Joanne Throwe as deputy secretary. In this role, Throwe will manage the day-to-day operations and execute the direction and vision of DNR. Read more…
NRP Mourns Passing of K-9 Bear
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) mourns the death last weekend of K-9 Bear, assigned to the Central Region.
Born on Nov. 5, 2004, Bear was purchased as a hunting dog. But when the owner realized he did not have time to train the black Lab, he donated it to Delaware Fish and Game.
Maryland Striped Bass Juvenile Index is Eighth Highest on Record
American Shad, White Perch, Herring Reproduction Strong
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the 2015 striped bass juvenile index is the eighth highest on record. The survey, a measure of spawning success, found an average of 24.2 juvenile fish per sample, approximately double the long-term average of 11.9. Read more…
NRP Investigating Fatal Hunting Accident
Maryland Natural Resources Police investigators are continuing to gather evidence in a fatal hunting accident late Saturday afternoon in Queen Anne’s County. Read more…
NRP Recovers Body of Florida Man in Back Creek
Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers recovered the body of a man Tuesday morning in Back Creek. Read more…
DNR Awards Grants to 37 Volunteer Fire Departments
Funding to Aid Rural Maryland Communities
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance program grants, totaling $88,612, to 37 volunteer fire departments in 15 counties. The funding will help fire crews better prepare for and respond to wildfires in rural areas and communities.
Fall Trout Stocking Begins in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) kicked off the fall trout stocking season last week, releasing roughly 3,500 rainbow trout in Western Maryland.
“When and where we stock is largely dependent on weather conditions, water flow and temperatures,” DNR Inland Fisheries Manager Tony Prochaska said. “If the weather cooperates, we will release about 25,000 trout by the end of October.” Read more…
Eastern Shore WMAs Reopen to Waterfowl Hunting
Several Eastern Shore Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) ─ or portions of these areas ─ that were temporarily closed to waterfowl hunting have reopened. Read more…
Mallows Bay-Potomac River Headed Toward National Marine Sanctuary Status
First Designation in Maryland; First in Chesapeake Bay
Photo by Daryl Byrd
In a first for the state of Maryland, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today declared its intent to designate Mallows Bay in Charles County as a National Marine Sanctuary, and is seeking public input on how the site should best be used and managed. Read more…