If you are looking for a way to follow social distancing guidelines and have some fun in the fresh air, it’s time to try your hand at shad fishing. Seasoned anglers say the time to go shad fishing is when the dogwood trees are in bloom. Hickory shad start showing in the upper bay tributaries by mid-March; the run peaks in late April and goes into early June. The larger and more sought after American[...]

It’s 4:30am on November 4, 2023. My alarm rings. Filled with excitement and anticipation, I easily wake. My brother-in-law and I head out, hoping to harvest my first buck during the rut. We walk into the dense woods of Southern Maryland. I pick my spot. It’s set over a regularly hit communal scrape on a creek bottom between two shallow ridge systems. I climb and set up my tree saddle. It’s 5:30am. Doe bedding to[...]

Are you whiling away the hours until deer season comes back around? Here are some ideas to put that time to good use until opening day rolls around again. Why not try hunting something different? Spring turkey season can be a blast, literally and figuratively. If you’ve never been, get ready for an action-packed morning in the woods where you can enjoy the sounds of the forest as it awakens, interrupted by some gobblers who[...]

We are all counting the days until we will be able to get outside and go fishing once it’s permitted. Hang in there, anglers. Hopefully soon we’ll be heading out with our friends and family to fish once again. But at least for now, we can stay sharp and knowledgeable with these tips. Tackle Box Spring Cleaning If you're like most anglers, your tackle box can be bursting at the seams making it almost impossible[...]

The Maryland Hunter Education Course offers thorough instruction and guidance. It takes 12 to 14 hours to complete and students must attend all sessions of the class to earn their certification. Responsibility A knowledgeable and skillful student of hunting must also behave responsibly to be a true hunter. Responsible behavior includes courtesy, respect of others and of wildlife, and involvement. Responsible hunters do not poach or act carelessly. They obey hunting laws, hunt fairly, practice[...]

FishTalk Magazines: BlueCats on the Bullseye Dive into the depths of angling adventure with FishTalk Magazine as they unravel the secrets of catching Catfish in Maryland. This captivating article dives deep into the heart of Maryland's renowned fishing spots, offering expert insights, tips, and techniques to reel in your next big Blue catfish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a newcomer to the sport, this comprehensive guide is your ticket to an unforgettable fishing experience[...]

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 consists of Garrett, Allegany and western Washington counties (private land codes 250 and 251); Region B is the rest of the state. Hunters in Region B can[...]

Our family spent summers on the Eastern Shore. I learned the size of a keeper Blue crab was as big as a Coca cola can. I baited fat minnows on hooks to catch flounder. I sat next to Mallard nests in the springtime, praying the eggs would hatch and the yellow down ducklings would follow me home. Maryland provided a world class education in the outdoors, but I was never exposed to hunting. As an[...]