Wildlife Adventure Day
Southern Maryland youth are invited to enjoy a free day of outdoor family fun, on Saturday May 28, 2005. A first ever Wildlife Adventure Day is being offered through the combined efforts of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Southern Maryland Chapter, the Mirant Corporation, Maryland Quail Unlimited, the Charles County 4-H, and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). A fun filled day long series of adventures awaits youth ages 8 to 16 and their adult companions who attend Mirant’s McGregor Farm, in Newburg, Numerous opportunities are being offered to those who attend. The entire day is free of charge but each youth must be accompanied by an adult. Activities begin at 8:00 a.m. and continues through 3:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided. Those who attend will learn how to call wild turkeys, track deer, raccoons and other wildlife. Exploring and learning about streams, identifying tree types, nature hikes and an antler hunt are among other opportunities on May 28 youth at Mirant’s McGregor Farm. Building bird boxes and honing archery skills are other activities that will be available. To register, call the Charles County 4-H Office at (301) 934-5404.
Still Rockin’
Maryland’s first 2005 recreational striped bass season continues through May 15. The daily creel is one fish per person per day at 28 inches or larger. During this first season, possession of stripers is limited to main stem Chesapeake Bay waters from Brewerton channel to the Maryland-Virginia line, including Tangier and Pocomoke Sounds. On May 16 through May 31 the Maryland striper season changes by allowing daily possession of two fish per person per day at 18 to 28 inches, one of which may exceed 28 inches. During this second window of springtime opportunity, possession of stripers is permitted from Tolchester to the south point of Hart-Miller Island south to the MD/VA Line and 5 miles into the Chester, Choptank and Patuxent Rivers.
PRFC Striper Season
The current striped bass season in (PRFC) waters continue through May 31. The daily creel limit is one fish per person per day at 28 inches or longer. During this season, possession of striped bass is restricted to main stem Potomac River waters downstream of the Route 301 Harry Nice Bridge.
Online Info & Phone Numbers
To get information on Maryland’s 2005 striped bass seasons, call 1-800-688-FINS or 1-877-620-8DNR. They also have a fishing information website at; http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regulations/recregchrt.html . Information on striped bass and other fishing seasons in PRFC waters can be obtained by calling 1-800-266-3904 or visiting their website at; http://www.prfc.state.va.us/index.htm
2005 Spring Gobbler Season
The 2005 Maryland Spring Gobbler season continues through May 23. The daily bag limit is one bearded bird per day and two per season, if you did not harvest a turkey during the fall season. The use of blinds and turkey decoys are permitted.
Fluorescent Orange
Hunters are not required to wear or display fluorescent orange during the spring gobbler season, but Maryland’s (DNR) encourage its use as a safety precaution. It is good practice to tie at least one piece of fluorescent orange ribbon around a gobbler you have harvested, when carrying it away from the place of harvest. Another good safety tip is for hunters to wear a blaze or fluorescent orange hat, when going to or from a hunting location. Turkey decoys and blinds are legal for spring gobbler hunting in Maryland, so there is even more reason to take precautions by utilizing fluorescent orange color. Consider tying a strip of fluorescent orange ribbon around the tree you are sitting or set up against. This will warn others within sight that a hunter is nearby.
Black, Red, White & Blue
Never wear the colors black, red, white or blue while turkey hunting. Adult male gobblers have predominant displays of these colors both in their plumage and on their head and neck areas.
Turkey Hunting Information
For information on the 2005 Spring gobbler season, visit the Maryland DNR website at; http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/forestturk.asp Information on public hunting opportunities in Southern Maryland can be obtained by calling the Myrtle Grove Wildlife Management Area at (301) 743-5161. A booklet about the Maryland 2004-05 hunting seasons is provided when you purchase your license. You can also access hunting information by visiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website at; www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide.
Tournament to Benefit the Tilghman Fire Company
Harrison’s Chesapeake House and Budweiser are sponsoring the Budweiser Tilghman Fire Co. Classic on Sunday, May 15, 2005 to benefit the Tilghman Island Volunteer Fire Department. There will be over $5,000 in prizes, including $2,500 for the largest rockfish. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first through fourth place winners. Registration fee is $125 per person for Charter boats and $65 per person for private boats. For registration information, call Captain Buddy Harrison at (410)-886-2109 or email him at captbuddy@chesapeakehouse.com
Good Ole Boys Outdoors
A new and exciting website is available and provides an interactive forum where outdoors people can submit their own video to compete for prizes. The website will provide hunting and fishing programming 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information go to www.GoodOleBoysOutdoors.com or contact Zack Hodges at 410-725-1649 or zhodges@buckbomb.com.