Management Area Expanded into Additional Counties Following 2022 Report The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported today that 38 white-tailed deer sampled within Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties in 2022 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease found in deer and elk. The Department of Natural Resources works with neighboring states to monitor chronic wasting Read the Rest…
Bear County Residents and Visitors Urged to Keep Bears Wild Spring is a time for new growth and increased wildlife activity across Maryland’s natural areas. In portions of the state, black bears have already emerged from winter dens, in search of easily accessible food sources. Relying on their powerful sense of smell, black bears are Read the Rest…
Hunt Success Bolstered by Good Weather, Additional Day The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that hunters harvested 103 black bears during the state’s 19th annual black bear hunt held Oct. 24-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The harvest comprised 41 male and 62 female bears. An additional 10 bears (3 male and 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. As the leaves change and the weather cools, bears become more active as they search for food. During this time, bears will travel across roads more frequently. They Read the Rest…
Application Deadline August 31; Drawing Sept. 7 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the 2022 black bear hunt lottery. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the 6-day hunting season, which for the first time includes a Saturday. The hunt will be open October 24-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Read the Rest…
Positive Samples Were Entirely Within Existing Management Area The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that 53 white-tailed deer sampled within Allegany and Washington counties in 2021 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurodegenerative disease found in deer and elk. All of Maryland’s positive samples were found within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area.
Marylanders Urged to Keep Bears Wild Maryland’s black bears are leaving their winter dens and as they emerge, they are hungry. Bears will be searching for natural food sources such as acorns, plants, berries, and insects. With natural food sources in short supply until later in the spring, bears can be attracted to anything that Read the Rest…
Smoke May Be Visible from Nearby Highways The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a controlled burn on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area on a date to be set in December as weather and other conditions allow. Residents or drivers who see smoke in the area southwest of Rawlings should be aware that Read the Rest…
Weather and Abundant Food Prove Challenging for Hunters Hunters harvested 54 black bears during Maryland’s 18th annual black bear hunt. Official results have been compiled and reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources following the five-day hunt held Oct. 25-29 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Abundant natural food in the mountains of Western Maryland 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…
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.
Black Bears Roam Far and Wide in Seasonal Movements Throughout June and July, visitors and residents of Maryland’s bear country may encounter more bear sightings than they would at other times of the year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is receiving active reports of bears in suburban counties, which is a normal occurrence Read the Rest…
Marylanders Urged to Keep Bears Wild Maryland’s black bears are leaving their winter dens. As they emerge, they are hungry and searching for food. Natural food sources for bears — such as acorns, plants, berries, and insects — are in short supply until later in the spring, so the bears are attracted to anything that Read the Rest…
Maryland Natural Resources Police worked tirelessly to combat illegal hunting during the state’s annual black bear hunt, held Oct. 26-30 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Officers cited several hunters who, though legally permitted to participate in the hunt, were unlawfully using bait to attract and lure bears.
117 Bears Harvested in Four Counties Hunters harvested 117 black bears despite challenging conditions during Maryland’s 17th annual black bear hunt. Official results have been compiled and reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources following the five-day hunt held Oct. 26-30 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.
Three-County Hunt Runs Through Nov. 8 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the fall turkey hunting season will open Oct. 31 and continue through Nov. 8 in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties, with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter.
Welcome to the Fall Foliage Report for October 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. This season continues to bring on the best fall color Maryland has seen in years, as Washington and Frederick counties reach peak foliage.
Residents Reminded to Take Common-Sense Precautions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors that black bears are beginning a period of increased feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation. Black bears in Maryland are concentrated in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties.
It is now officially fall with a chill in the air and the welcomed return of the Canada geese. The most obvious indicator of autumn’s arrival, the changing of the foliage, is still a few weeks away for most of the state. However, in Western Maryland, pockets here and there are starting to show splotches Read the Rest…
Welcome to the 2020 Maryland Fall Foliage Report, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Although we will mention a festival or event occasionally, that will not be a major focus this year due to numerous cancellations of many seasonal events. However, the men and women working for Maryland’s Park Service and Read the Rest…
Application Deadline Aug. 31; Drawing Sept. 3 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the 2020 black bear hunt lottery. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the five-day hunting season, which will take place Oct. 26-30 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The department will issue 950 hunting Read the Rest…
Marylanders Urged to Keep Bears Wild After a mild winter, Maryland’s black bears are starting to leave their winter slumber to search for food. Natural food sources for bears — such as plants, berries, and insects — are in short supply until later in the spring, so bears are looking for anything that smells like Read the Rest…
Natural Resources Police Target Hunting Violations Maryland Natural Resources Police charged a Carroll County woman for driving while intoxicated after she struck a deer decoy and led officers on a chase. Police on Nov. 30 were patrolling for illegal spotlighting and using a decoy deer along Flag Marsh Road in Mt. Airy. Officers reportedly saw Read the Rest…
Action to Improve Wildlife Habitat, Protect Trees The Maryland Department of Natural Resources plans to conduct a prescribed burn on Dan’s Mountain Wildlife Management Area between Nov. 4 and Nov. 21, weather permitting. Access to the east side of the wildlife management area — at the primitive camping area and at Middle Ridge Road — Read the Rest…
145 Bears Harvested in Four Counties Favorable weather conditions helped bear hunters enjoy success during Maryland’s 16th annual black bear hunt. Official results reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources show that 145 hunters harvested a bear during the five-day hunt held in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The largest bear taken weighed Read the Rest…
Higher Turkey Population Anticipated This Year The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the fall turkey hunting season will open Oct. 26 and continue through Nov. 3 in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter. “Although many hunters are focused on deer this time of year, the Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Oct. 5 and 6, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. True fall weather is on the way! Garrett County is anticipating nighttime temperatures dipping into the 3os this weekend, reports Melissa Nash, forester and project manager. With the change in temperature comes Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Sept. 28 and 29, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “As we officially welcome fall this week, the cool nights and sunny days are making for a beautiful start to a colorful display in Garrett County,” reports Melissa Nash, Garrett County forest Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that counties and municipalities can now apply for grant funding from the National Park Service’s Land and Water Conservation Fund. Local governments should submit preliminary application forms by Sept. 19. Land and Water Conservation Fund projects must be in direct support of public outdoor recreation. Eligible proposals include Read the Rest…
Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants Total $59,750 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the award of two Land and Water Conservation Fund grants totaling $59,750 to two local recreation projects in Allegany County. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a federally funded program that provides up to 50 percent matching grants to Read the Rest…
Application Deadline Aug. 31; Drawing Sept. 3 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for the 2019 black bear hunt lottery. Successful applicants will receive a permit valid for the five-day hunting season, taking place Oct. 21-25 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The department will issue 800 hunting permits this Read the Rest…
Western Maryland Fishing Destination Offers Free Use of Gear The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is expanding its popular loaner tackle program to Rocky Gap State Park, offering park patrons free use of fishing gear and tackle. Eight youth-sized fishing rods have been refurbished and several tackle boxes have been donated to help promote youth Read the Rest…
Police Say Duo Taunted Injured Deer A 19-year-old Allegany County woman and a juvenile face animal cruelty charges over a social media video showing them taunting and throwing objects at a deer that was immobilized with two broken legs. Maryland Natural Resources Police were notified May 23 of a Snapchat video showing two female individuals Read the Rest…
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates the Completion of Phase IV The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. on June 1 to celebrate the completion of the Phase IV extension of the Western Maryland Rail Trail. The event will be held in the western terminus parking lot, 12719 High Read the Rest…
More than 10,000 deer tested in Maryland since 1999 – only 52 returned as positive The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported today that 25 white-tailed deer sampled in Allegany and Washington counties during 2018 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease found in deer and elk.
Marylanders Urged to Keep Bears Wild After a long winter slumber, black bears are now emerging from their dens, and human residents of Maryland’s bear country should take steps to keep both species separate and safe. Adult and newborn bears will emerge hungry and seeking natural food sources, but many of their preferred foods — Read the Rest…
Orders for Backyard Buffer Program Due March 29 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffers program. Trees and shrubs planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, lowering Read the Rest…
Harvest Tempered by Unusually Warm and Wet Weather The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters harvested 18,805 deer during the early portion of the archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was a 16 percent decline from last year’s official harvest of 22,250, which was largely attributable to abnormally warm and wet weather that caused Read the Rest…
Young Hunters Can Learn Sporting Skills and Traditions The Maryland Department of Natural Resources encourages experienced deer hunters to introduce youth to the time-honored cultural and sporting tradition this month during two Junior Deer Hunting Days. The hunt will be held Nov. 10 on private and designated public land in all counties, and Nov. 11 Read the Rest…
135 Bears Harvested in Four Counties Favorable weather conditions helped bear hunters enjoy success during Maryland’s 15th annual black bear hunt. Official results reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources show that 135 hunters harvested a bear during the five-day hunt held in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties. Several large bears were taken throughout the Read the Rest…
Hunting Available in Allegany, Garrett and Washington Counties The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the fall turkey hunting season will open Oct. 27 and continue through Nov. 4 in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter. The fall season was extended to include an additional day, Sunday, Read the Rest…
Popular Season Coincides with Changing Fall Weather The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens statewide Oct. 18. This is one of many deer hunting opportunities offered in the state and typically coincides with pleasant fall weather. The early muzzleloader season runs from Oct. 18-20 in Read the Rest…