Travis Scala and Doug Boarman with a Middlegrounds rock.
Scala Photo

MUZZLELOADER THUNDER ROLLS ON
Southern Maryland deer hunters get the chance to harvest some tasty nutritious venison while partaking in a tradition of smokepole shootists. Next week’s muzzleloader season is reserved for Deer Management Region B and allows for the harvest of antlerless deer only. The total season year bag limit for deer harvested during the muzzleloader season is two antlered white-tailed deer and 10 white-tailed antlerless deer. Only antlerless deer may be taken with a muzzleloader from October 23 through October 28. Muzzleloader hunters may take up to 10 antlerless deer combined for both October, 2006 segments.
Archery Continues
Archery hunters can continue their hunt the Region B antlerless-only muzzleloader hunting season that runs from October 23 – 28. Any deer harvested during that time by archery hunters count against the bow bag limit.
Check Those Deer
Those who harvest deer register them calling 1-888-800-0121 or via the Maryland DNR website at, www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us. Once taking a deer, hunters must immediately attach a completed Field Tag on the deer’s head and record the harvest on their Maryland Big Game Harvest Record portion of their hunting license. Ths must be done before moving the deer from place of harvest. All forms must be completed in ink. Hunters get a confirmation number once they register the harvest that is to be recorded on their Big Game Harvest Record. Instructions for this process are on pages 28 – 29 of The Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland 2006-2007 you receive when a hunting license is purchased.
Middlegrounds Rock
The chum circus rocks at the Southern Maryland Middlegrounds. Boats slinging ground menhaden hash are catching their limit of feisty stripers in the 18 to 23 inch range. Some larger rock are being caught both with baited hooks using menhaden and by those live lining spot. When the boats anchored up get too close and high in number, the fish can get overfed and harder to interest in your baited hook. Consider moving away from the crowd when this happens and your catch of keeper stripers may improve.
Rock Times
The Maryland and Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) striper seasons have an 18 to 28 inch minimum size and possession limit of 2 fish per person. One of these fish in Maryland or PRFC waters may be over 28 inches. For Maryland info call 1-800-688-3467 or visit their website at, http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries . PRFC striper season information can be obtained by calling 1-800-266-3904 or by accessing their website at, http://www.prfc.state.va.us . Virginia’s 2006, fall striped bass season continues through December 31. The Virginia season has a possession limit of 2 stripers per person at 18 to 28 inches. One of these Virginia fish is allowed to be 34 inches or longer, so make sure you don’t have fish between 28 and 34 inches in the boat while in Virginia waters. For information on the recreational striped bass season in Virginia Chesapeake Bay waters, call the Virginia Marine Resources Commission at (757) 247-2200 or visit their website at; www.mrc.state.va.us .
Super Gun Blast
This Friday, October 27, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., the annual NWTF Southern Maryland Chapter Super Gun Blast takes place at Middleton Hall which is located at 4045 Renner Road in Waldorf, Maryland. Featured will be a live and silent auction. Available items include guns popular for hunting and an art auction. Raffles with “Super Special Guns” will also be available. Door prizes include guns from Benelli, Remington, Browning and Thompson/Center. A banquet provides delicious food for those in attendance. Funds raised are used to help support programs that enhance wild turkey populations and their habitat. Single tickets are $125 and include one dinner and one door prize ticket. For a couple, the cost is $150 and provides two dinners and one door prize ticket. To purchase attendance tickets or get information, call Bobby Boarman at (301) 259-2830.
Deer archery
The current 2006-07 deer archery season continues until January 31, 2007. All of the Southern Maryland Counties are in Deer Management Region B, where archery hunters can harvest 2 antlered white-tailed deer. After taking the first antlered deer, two antlerless deer must be taken before pursuing a second one with antlers. The Region B antlerless deer bag limit for archery in Region B is 10. Those hunting the Suburban Deer Archery Zone of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties may take an unlimited number of antlerless deer. Those archery hunting in Deer Management Region A which is comprised of Garrett and Allegany Counties are limited to 2 deer which is1 antlered and 1 antlerless. Deer harvested must be registered with the Maryland (DNR) by calling 1-888-800-0121 or online at www.gamecheck.dnr.state.md.us Information on deer bag limits, season dates and bow hunting regulations can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide .
Blossom Point BOW Event
Maryland’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) Program has an exciting deer hunting event scheduled for this early November. On Friday, November 3 and Saturday November 4, 2006 a deer hunt co-sponsored by the Army’s Blossom Point Proving Grounds Base is scheduled. On November 3, discussions and instructions take place that include safety, hunting skills, white-tailed deer biology and population management. Time to sight in and practice shooting proficiency at the range will also take place on Friday. The day on Saturday begins before sun-up, when hunters are located in assigned treestands. Experienced deer hunters and wildlife biologists will be on hand to help those participating in the November 4 hunt. The fee to attend is only $40 and includes registration, instruction, lunch on Friday, and breakfast, lunch and snacks on Saturday. Those participating must have a valid Maryland hunting license before participating. All participating must pass shooters qualification on the shooting range during Friday, November 3. For information on how to register, call (301) 387-7067.