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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

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[...]

Ready to get back to fishing? White perch are ready and waiting for you. They can be found almost anywhere in the Chesapeake Bay. A relative of striped bass, white perch occupy a range of depths and habitats. Oyster bars, drop-offs and artificial reefs all hold white perch. Seasonal patterns are easy to figure out given that white perch stay in the bay and its rivers their entire lives. Places to find white perch include[...]

Protected by Seneca Creek State Park during its 14-mile journey between Clopper Lake and the Potomac River, Seneca Creek provides a great medium-sized creek fly fishing experience right in Montgomery County. Spring stocking of rainbow trout starts three seasons of fly fishing opportunities at this Trail site, followed by summer and fall fishing for smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish. Parking lots set up for accessing the Seneca Creek Greenway Trail also provide convenient access to[...]

Bear activity is increasing throughout western Maryland as the black bear population continues to expand eastward. With its rural landscape and vast forested land, western Maryland holds some prime bear habitat, much of which is found on public lands open for hunting. A Guide to Planning a Black Bear Hunt in Maryland There are a limited number of bear hunting permits available each year in Maryland and they are awarded through a lottery drawing. The[...]

There’s no better feeling than putting together a plan, hitting the water, and slinging your target species over the gunnel - especially when you manage to move on to the next species, and then the next. Every trip on the water may not be filled with multi-species madness, but if you pay attention to the rest of this article you’ll be prepared when the opportunity strikes. Prep For Success The research you do, before you[...]

About White Perch Ask anyone in Maryland to tell you the first fish they caught, and the most likely answer will be a white perch. (Morone americana). Close cousins to striped bass, they’ll take an artificial lure quicker than a whipstitch on a shad dart. They’re prolific in most tidal streams, and they are great fun to catch. Not just for kids either - there are plenty of full-grown adults, including this old stump jumper[...]