Maryland hunters harvested 125 black bears during the state’s 21st annual black bear hunt held Oct. 21-26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The 2024 harvest was higher than the previous 5-year average of 104 bears. The 2024 harvest consisted of 52 male and 73 female bears. Total harvest from each county was 80 Read the Rest…
Whether it’s waterfront farmland , culturally important land where Harriet Tubman resided, a working farm in Baltimore County, or a stretch of quiet woodlands in Western Maryland, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rural Legacy Program has been protecting it for a quarter century. The Maryland Rural Legacy Program protects the viability of agriculture Read the Rest…
Casselman River Bridge in Grantsville. Note, due to safety concerns, the 210-year-old bridge is currently closed. Photo by Melissa Nash, Maryland Forest Service. Hallelujah, rain. That is what the trees would say if they could talk. Much of Maryland has been experiencing drought, so this big drink of water will be stupendous for the flora. Read the Rest…
Hunters can now enter the lottery selection process for the annual six-day black bear hunt in Western Maryland. The cost to enter the lottery is $15 and applications can be purchased from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) now through August 31. The 2024 bear hunt will take place Oct 21-26 in Allegany, Frederick, Read the Rest…
The state’s chronic wasting disease management area has expanded to include two additional counties The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported today that 52 white-tailed deer sampled within Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties in 2023 tested positive for chronic wasting disease, a neurological disease found in deer, elk, and moose. Of the positive samples, 49 came from within the existing Read the Rest…
Warm weather prevailed for most of the hunt, but harvest remains steady The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that hunters harvested 103 black bears during the state’s 20th annual black bear hunt held Oct. 23-28 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. The harvest consisted of 40 male and 63 female bears. An additional nine Read the Rest…
The top predator, once abundant and later endangered in the state, is now at a healthy level Black bear populations have risen in Maryland in recent decades and are now at a level that state biologists consider healthy. To maintain a large enough black bear population that enables bears to sustainably reproduce while mitigating potential Read the Rest…
The 3-acre land and building acquisition will expand public access and wildlife habitat in the South Mountain Recreation Area The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently purchased a parcel of land adjoining South Mountain State Park to bring additional recreational opportunities to residents in Washington and Frederick counties. Formerly the location of the Old South Read the Rest…
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…
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…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) filed charges in October for a variety of conservation law violations including illegal bear hunting, striped bass violations, and deer poaching.
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…
State Partners with City and County of Frederick, Cycling Group to Secure Bid Gambrill State Park and the Frederick City Cooperative Wildlife Management Area have been chosen by USA Cycling as the venue for the 2021 Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships on Saturday, October 23. The Maryland Sports Commission will serve as the event host, Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police recently charged several individuals throughout the state for illegal activities including weapons charges at a state park, operating watercraft while intoxicated, 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.
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.
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…
Gathering Low-Cost Wood Helps Remove Hazards from Public Lands The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering firewood cutting permits at Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks in Frederick County, providing a great opportunity for the public to pick up some easily accessible firewood. The $20 permit allows citizens to remove downed trees from the 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…
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…
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…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the last weekend of summer, Sept. 21 and 22, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Having melted down almost daily through a typically hot and humid — and exceptionally wet — Maryland summer, you just might be looking forward to the official Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for Sept. 14 and 15, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Soon the landscape will explode with vibrant colors of orange, red and yellow. Kids will be jumping into newly raked piles of leaves and we’ll all “fall” back to Eastern Standard Time Read the Rest…
Visitors can explore the wild side of Fort Frederick State Park during the annual Nature Exploration Weekend Aug. 31 through Sept. 2. Staff-led outdoor nature activities for all interest levels and ages will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday. A wide variety of special programs will include a a honeybee 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…
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…
Backyard Buffers Help Improve Water Quality 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 peak water temperatures, reducing sediment Read the Rest…
Season Yields 73 Birds Hunters reported taking 73 wild turkeys during Maryland’s 2019 winter turkey season, which was open Jan. 17-19 statewide. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, turkeys were harvested in 22 of the 23 counties, with Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties reporting the highest numbers.
Conservation Easements Protect Farmland, Forests and Waterways The Board of Public Works today approved Rural Legacy Program grants totaling $3 million that will provide dedicated state funding to permanently protect working farms and forests, and provide vegetative stream buffers to improve water quality in designated areas across the state. Working through local governments and private Read the Rest…
Sunday Hunting Salvages Opening Weekend The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that deer hunters reported harvesting 10,008 deer on the opening weekend of the 2018 Maryland firearm season, a decline from last year’s official total of 13,622 deer for the same period. Significant rain across the state Saturday was largely responsible for the Read the Rest…
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 17 and 18, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Forester Rob Clarke succinctly wraps up the final report for 2018 with, “Let the raking begin!”
Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 10 and 11, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The good news is that leaf peepers have an excellent chance of catching fall foliage at its peak in many parts of the state. However, predictions are that this Read the Rest…