The Maryland Park Service will host an open house at Savage River Lodge, 1600 Mt. Aetna Road, Frostburg,on Monday, December 16, from 5 -7 p.m., and is accepting public comment on the newly acquired state property. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acquired this 42-acre property, featuring 18 cabins, 8 yurts, and a multi-purpose Read the Rest…
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…
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…
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…
“In the entire circle of the year there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October.” Alexander Smith Fall days are here – blue skies, clouds like giant marshmallows, and gobs of sunshine. The only thing missing is the cooler daytime temperatures characteristic of fall weather. Crisp autumn air causes leaves Read the Rest…
“I cannot endure to waste something as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne Most of us are rejoicing after seeing the sun for the first time in days. Tropical Storm Ophelia brought drenching rain to Maryland’s coastal region last weekend, with additional rain stretching into the western portion of Read the Rest…
Governor Wes Moore this past weekend embarked upon a two-day tour of Mountain Maryland to mark the Moore-Miller administration’s first six months in office. Governor Moore was joined by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller for a convening of the administration’s cabinet at Rocky Gap Casino Resort and community engagement events in Allegany and Garrett Counties.
Record 3.01-pound Fish Reeled in from Upper Potomac River For the second time in a month, the state record for fallfish has been broken. Bryson Meyers of Oakland has been recognized by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a new state record holder for fallfish – Semotilus corporalis — in the state’s nontidal division. 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…
Hunters Can Apply for Blind Sites at Deep Creek and Broadford Lakes The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces a waterfowl hunting opportunity on Deep Creek Lake and Broadford Lake in Garrett County on November 21, 22, and 23, 2022. Canada goose and waterfowl hunting on Deep Creek Lake and Broadford Lake is by permit 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…
This fall season is shaping up to be a memorable one, and if you’re lucky enough to live in or visit Western Maryland right now, you’ll soon know why. The fall foliage show is on in mountainous Western Maryland with a full spectrum of fall colors on display. This week we have an extended report 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…
Anglers Asked to Report Tagged Fish They Catch; Prizes Offered The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces a new survey to track and understand the walleye fishery at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County. To help better understand the fishery, staff biologists have tagged 450 walleyes throughout the lake. These yellow tags are located 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…
Permits, Reservations Taken for Deep Creek, Broadford Lake Sites The Maryland Department of Natural Resources presents an annual Canada goose hunting opportunity on Deep Creek Lake and waterfowl hunting at Broadford Lake in Garrett County in November. These hunts are done by permit and reservation only on November 22, 23, and 24, 2021. Permits can 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…
St John’s Rock Campground Now Open to All Via Online Reservation The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced it has eliminated the day-use fee for riding the St. John’s Rock off-road vehicle (ORV) trail at Savage River State Forest, saving trail users $9 per rider and also removing the need for advance registration. Additionally, the Read the Rest…
Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio Presents ‘State of the Lake’ Address Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio on Tuesday delivered a “State of the Lake” to homeowners, officials, and stakeholders with interest in Deep Creek Lake. The secretary also announced $2.2 million in additional funding for dredging as part of her presentation. Speaking to the Read the Rest…
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) recently charged several individuals throughout the state for illegal activities including impaired boating, having a concealed machete, illegally harvesting striped bass during the season closure, and other violations.
Three Garrett County men were convicted of multiple counts of deer poaching and had their hunting privileges suspended following charges filed by the Maryland Natural Resources Police for the illegal killing of an albino deer in fall 2020.
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…
Customers Can Now Book Several Campsites at Big Run Campers looking to reserve a campsite on Maryland’s public lands can now use the Department of Natural Resources online reservation system to book one of 18 primitive sites at Savage River State Forest’s Big Run campground in Garrett County.
Expanded Recreation Includes Off-Road Vehicle Trails The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that Wolf Den Run State Park has now opened two additional areas, adding 1,375 acres of land and 25 miles of multi-use trails, including off-road vehicle (ORV) use.
Following an extensive investigation, Maryland Natural Resources Police charged three men with illegally hunting multiple deer in Garrett County. In November and December, Natural Resources Police investigated reports of deer illegally killed near the Blakeslee community. On December 3, officers learned of an additional incident where an antlerless albino deer was illegally hunted, and received 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.
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…
Boats with Zebra Mussels, Hydrilla Stopped Before Entering Water Earlier this month, Deep Creek Lake Launch Stewards intercepted three boats carrying aquatic invasive species that were seeking to launch into the lake. While conducting vessel inspections, stewards noticed zebra mussels on two boats and hydrilla on a third. The stewards informed the owners, who cooperatively 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…
Three-Session Class Begins March 31 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a Hunter Safety Education class on March 31, April 2, and April 4, 2020 at Herrington Manor State Park in Oakland, Garrett County. Classes on March 31 and April 2 will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and class on Read the Rest…
Annual Weeklong Program Offered for Grades 9-12 The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites high school students with an interest in forestry, fisheries, wildlife, or parks management to participate in a Natural Resources Careers Camp, July 19-25 at the Hickory Environmental Education Center in Garrett County. A partnership with Allegany College of Maryland and the 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…