Hunting is a wonderful way to get the whole family outside together and to see some naturally beautiful parts of Maryland. Youth Waterfowl Hunting days in Maryland offer a great chance for young outdoor enthusiasts to master their skills. Saturday, Feb. 10 is one of two days offered each year with this special designation for ages 16 and younger. An added bonus to this month’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day is that at this time of[...]

I am very fortunate to have been born into a family of avid outdoorsmen. Although I have few memories of my grandfather (his nickname was “Pop Daddy”), as he died when I was 6 years old, my father told me that he had a reputation for being a knowledgeable, self-taught naturalist and avid hunter and fisherman. Folks used to say, "If Pop Daddy isn’t catching them, there is no reason to go." I have wonderful[...]

When George Washington chose to build Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac, he ensured that the waterway would forever be known as the “Nation’s River.” Ever since, this beautiful stretch of water has occupied a special place in our imaginations. The Potomac River originates in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia and carries nutrients into the Chesapeake Bay. It is one of the bay’s largest tributaries—second only to the Susquehanna River. Interestingly, a[...]

Striped bass, locally known as rockfish, are a prized catch in Kent County. These iconic fish migrate along the Atlantic coast, entering the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries to spawn. The spring and fall seasons are particularly popular for targeting striped bass in Kent County waters. The 2024 spring season begins on June 1. Anglers often find success fishing for striped bass in the early morning or late evening, when the fish are most active[...]

Fashion news rarely makes it into the hunting scene. However, this year Maryland’s Blaze Pink bill sponsored by Senator Addie Eckart, and created by young huntresses Paige and Brooke Simonsen of Easton, made a huge statement – fashion and otherwise. As a female hunter (one who admittedly has always worn mascara deer hunting, even under my ski mask in case a post-hunting picture with a trophy buck happened to come into play) and, okay, one[...]

Maryland offers exceptional crabbing opportunities, attracting enthusiasts to its rich estuaries, especially the Chesapeake Bay. This prime habitat for blue crabs makes Maryland a top destination for both seasoned crabbers and newcomers. The state provides a variety of crabbing charters operated by experienced local guides, ensuring you have a successful trip with useful tips and techniques. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly outing or a more challenging expedition, there's a charter for everyone. And the[...]

With one of the highest hunter success rates in the Mid-Atlantic region – and with one of the most generous bag limits in the country – Maryland offers some of the best deer hunting opportunities in the country. Heading to Southern Maryland’s public land areas offers hunters the chance to experience all the beauty of the Free State. Here are the top three public lands to hunt deer in Southern Maryland, along with some great[...]

When it’s 94 degrees and humid in Annapolis on a late June afternoon, head west to Garrett County where Maryland’s lower Savage River can offer a respite with cool 80 degree temperatures- and some of the state’s finest brown trout fishing. On the Savage River, just below the Savage River Dam, and a few miles downstream from Big Run State Park, you’ll find one of the 48 sites that are part of Maryland’s state-wide Fly[...]