Hunters in Region B Have Another Opportunity for Deer The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the winter portion of the firearm deer hunting season opens Jan. 4, 2019, in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest sika Read the Rest…
Harvest Numbers Strong Despite Poor Weather The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that hunters reported taking 31,588 deer during the state’s most popular hunt, the two-week firearms season. The total was eight percent lower than last year’s official harvest of 34,502. Bad weather during the prime Saturday hunt days contributed to the decline in many Read the Rest…
Public Input Helps Inform Deer Management Plan The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the results of a public opinion survey, done in cooperation with the University of Delaware and Responsive Management on white-tailed deer. The telephone survey covered a range of topics and will be used to support revision of the department’s deer management plan. Read the Rest…
Second Half of Season Runs Until Dec. 29 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the second segment of the muzzleloader deer hunting season opens Dec. 15 and runs through Dec. 29, 2018. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season. “The late muzzleloader season is a great Read the Rest…
Prince George’s County Site Available for Managed Archery Hunt There is a new public deer hunting opportunity available in Prince George’s County. As of Dec. 3, 2018, the 182-acre Queen Anne Bridge Road Cooperative Wildlife Management Area in Bowie will be open to regulated archery hunting for deer only. The program will follow established season 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…
Maryland’s Most Popular Hunting Season Runs Through Dec. 8 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that the two-week firearm hunting season for sika and white-tailed deer opens Nov. 24 and runs through Dec. 8. “The two-week firearms season remains our most popular hunting opportunity in the state,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. 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…
Limited to Select Dates in November The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that a managed archery deer hunt will take place at North Point State Park in Baltimore County on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in November, beginning Nov. 2 and continuing through Nov. 21, 2018. Thirteen hunters per day will be permitted to hunt in five specified areas Read the Rest…
Wildlife More Active in Fall Cooling temperatures, colorful foliage and unpredictable wildlife – all signs that the fall season is upon us in the Old Line State. As such, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges motorists to stay alert for deer and other wildlife this time of year as these animals seek food supplies and mates before Read the Rest…
Public Comments Accepted Until July 9 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now accepting public comment on proposed hunting and trapping seasons for 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The proposed regulations were published in the Maryland Register June 8, and would establish hunting season dates and bag limits for deer, bear, wild turkey, and small game Read the Rest…
Hunters Need Proficiency Test for Managed Deer Hunts The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released its 2018-2019 shooter qualification schedule. More than 20 qualification sessions will be held at 17 locations across the state, with more dates expected to be added later. These events allow hunters to take the proficiency test required to obtain a shooter qualification card. Passing Read the Rest…
Removing Wild Animals is Unnecessary, Dangerous and Illegal Late spring is the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases, the doe is nearby feeding and will return to Read the Rest…
In sections of Maryland, high concentrations of white-tailed deer have created a demand for “deer proof” plants. In reality, though, there is no such thing. Deer may nibble on anything once, especially when hungry, but they do dislike aromatics, prickly leaves and thorns. Unfortunately, many of the “deer proof” plants offered at stores include invasive Read the Rest…
Seven men in Washington and Frederick counties were charged this week at the start of spring wild turkey season with illegal hunting with the use of bait. Maryland Natural Resources Police officers fanned out before the season opened to locate illegal bait – mostly corn – left near hunting blinds. They returned before dawn Wednesday Read the Rest…
Natural Resources Police Cite Others for Oyster, Striped Bass Violations The deer poacher convicted of killing a massive deer known as “mega-buck” on someone else’s property was sentenced Monday in Kent County Circuit Court. Ronald Wayne Roe, 29, of Worton was convicted in February 2017 of multiple poaching charges in district court and appealed the Read the Rest…
Samples Found Within Existing Management Area 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.
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. Read the Rest…
Additional Hunting Opportunities Begin Jan. 5 in Region B The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the winter portion of the firearm deer hunting season opens Jan. 5 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all the state but its westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest Read the Rest…
A West Virginia man was convicted Tuesday in Allegany County Circuit Court of setting three fires earlier this year that damaged 57 acres in Green Ridge State Forest. Brian Chad Twigg, 20, of Paw Paw, pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree malicious burning, a felony. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with Read the Rest…
Sunday Hunting Contributed to Total Maryland hunters reported taking 34,412 deer during the state’s most popular hunt, the two-week firearm season. The total was similar to last year’s official harvest of 35,002. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that more than 4,000 deer were taken on the two Sundays during the season, more than 10 percent of Read the Rest…
Second Half of Season Runs Until Dec. 30 The second portion of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer hunting season is set to open Dec. 16. Hunters who possess a valid hunting license and a muzzleloader stamp from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources may use muzzleloading firearms to hunt white-tailed and sika deer during the season, which concludes Dec. 30. “Muzzleloader hunting Read the Rest…
A Maryland Natural Resources Police K-9 unit tracked a trespassing Pennsylvania man from his truck to a tree stand on public land in Kent County, where he was charged with illegal hunting. Kevin Lee King, 21, of Gordonville, received a citation Nov. 18 for hunting without written permission and was issued written warnings for failing Read the Rest…
Western Maryland Harvest Sees Jump; Junior Hunt Weekend Also Successful Hunters reported harvesting 13,514 deer on the opening weekend of the 2017 Maryland firearm season, the state’s most popular hunting season. The total includes 6,242 antlered and 7,272 antlerless deer, with sika deer comprising 201 of the antlered and 188 of the antlerless totals.
State’s Most Popular Hunting Season Starts Nov. 25 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the two-week firearm deer season opens Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 9. Hunters may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this hunting season. “The two-week firearms season is our most popular hunting opportunity in the Read the Rest…
Officers on saturation patrol for illegal deer hunters in southern Caroline County charged a Delaware man Saturday night with spotlighting a field. An observer aboard Natural 1, the Maryland Natural Resources Police helicopter, saw a vehicle slowly approach the intersection of Gregg and Ellwanger roads near the Maryland and Delaware state line. The vehicle then Read the Rest…
Turkey Hunters Take 105 Birds The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters harvested more deer during the early hunting season compared with last year. Maryland hunters wrapped up the early portion of the archery and muzzleloader seasons by harvesting an estimated 22,199 deer in September and October, an 11 percent increase from Read the Rest…
Officers Also Assist in Finding Lost Hunters in Worcester County Four Prince George’s County men were charged with deer poaching Saturday evening and their firearms, compound bow and tree stand were seized. Acting on a citizen complaint, Maryland Natural Resources Police and Prince George’s County officers went to a construction site near Ritchie Marlboro Road, 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. 11 on private and public land in all counties, and Nov. 12 on Read the Rest…
Boat Explosion, Tree-Stand Falls among Maryland Natural Resources Police Responses A Sparrows Point man who thought he bagged a buck in North Point State Park paid hundreds of dollars in fines instead after he shot a Maryland Natural Resources Police robo-deer decoy. On the evening of Oct. 7, Thomas Ervin Minton, 45, was spotted by Read the Rest…
Hunters Reminded to Practice Tree Stand Safety The first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens statewide Oct. 19. This is one of several deer hunting opportunities offered in the state and typically coincides with pleasant fall weather. The early muzzleloader season runs from Oct. 19-21 in Deer Management Regions A and B. Region A Read the Rest…
Deer Breeding Season Means Added Danger Cooling temperatures, colorful foliage and unpredictable wildlife are all signs that the fall season is upon us. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges motorists to stay alert for deer and other wildlife this time of year as these animals seek food supplies and mates. During this time of Read the Rest…
Officers aboard a Maryland Natural Resources Police patrol boat in Ocean City apprehended a Delaware man Saturday night wanted for the attempted murder of two police officers. Antonio Ambrosino, 18, of Seaford, was wanted after his vehicle struck an Ocean City officer and a Worcester County deputy sheriff attempting to arrest him on drug charges. Read the Rest…
Natural Resources Police Investigate Boating Accident, Charge Deer Poacher, Cite Fishing Violators A St. Mary’s County man whose Maryland commercial waterman’s license was revoked in 2015 for oyster harvesting violations has been banned from any oystering activity on the Potomac River for the coming season. James Phillip Nelson, 41, of California, was convicted in St. Read the Rest…
Department Requests Public’s Assistance in Reporting Impaired or Sick White-Tailed Deer The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and others to report any deer they encounter that appear sick or have recently died.
Maryland Bowhunters Have New Access Opportunities, Guidelines The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that archery hunting for white-tailed and sika deer opens statewide Sept. 8, and continues through Jan. 31, 2018.
Five Garrett County men were arrested after officers uncovered deer poaching activities that began in 2016 and continued into this year. Acting on tips from the public and social media posts, Maryland Natural Resources Police officers were able to connect a string of illegal hunting incidents. Last month, officers served search warrants on homes in Read the Rest…
Proficiency Necessary to Participate in Managed Deer Hunts The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has released the 2017-18 Shooter Qualification Schedule which includes more than 25 qualification sessions at 15 locations across the state. These events allow hunters to take the necessary proficiency test required to obtain a Shooter Qualification Card in order to participate Read the Rest…
Removing Wild Animals is Dangerous, Illegal and Unnecessary With late spring being the prime birthing time for white-tailed deer in the state, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds anyone who encounters a fawn to avoid disturbing it. While young deer often appear to be orphaned, in most cases the doe is nearby protecting and feeding her offspring. Read the Rest…
Cases Localized to Existing Management Area in Western Maryland The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently received laboratory confirmation that six white-tailed deer sampled in Allegany County tested positive for chronic wasting disease. All of the cases were found within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area.
Frederick County Leads State in Harvest Totals Maryland hunters harvested 85,193 deer during the combined archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons (Sept. 9, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017), according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The harvest exceeded the 2015-2016 total by more than 1,000 deer. Included in the statewide total were 7,684 deer taken on Sundays open Read the Rest…
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is pleased to report that members of its Wildlife and Heritage Service successfully rescued a juvenile male deer Sunday night after it was trapped for more than a week with a plastic snack container over its head. The animal, nicknamed “Jughead,” was found and later freed in Harford County.