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[...]

​This year give that special someone an experience of a lifetime. Give the gift of a fishing trip with the family on the Chesapeake Bay, deep out on the Atlantic Ocean, or along one of Maryland's fresh waterways. For the hunters in your life, plan now so they can enjoy waterfowl season this winter, deer season next fall, or one of the many other experiences Maryland has to offer. Don't wait! 2024 is right around[...]

Maryland’s fall turkey season is right around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to stock up for the holidays with a fresh harvest. Make your plans now! The fall turkey season is short (October 27th through November 4th) and is only in Western Maryland. However, what a fantastic time to head out to Western Maryland for some great hunting and to experience the beauty of the region's landscapes and fall foliage. Here’s everything[...]

A Tradition Almost Four Hundred Years in the Making In 1666, an Englishman named George Alsop wrote about his experience in Maryland. The waterfowl were so abundant, he wrote, “there was such an incessant clattering made with their wings on the water where they rose, and such a noise of those flying higher up that it was as if we were all the time surrounded by a whirlwind.” Now, nearly four centuries later, sportsmen and[...]

Bow hunting is a way of life, a natural order if you will. This is especially true in the traditional sense (i.e., longbow or recurve bow). I choose to hunt with traditional equipment as it affords me a deep, personal challenge in perusing game. The traditional bow allows one to become a better hunter being limited to shorter working ranges for harvesting intended prey. I am talking 20 yards and under. It ensures that the[...]

The Ultimate Guide to Catfishing in Harford County: Best Spots, Tips, and Food. Blue and flathead catfish are an invasive species, posing a major threat to Maryland’s native ecosystems. Their rapid reproduction rates and voracious appetites cause concerns among environmentalists and conservationists. On the flip side, catfish is a staple in cuisines worldwide due, providing versatile and delicious options for seafood lovers. Stop by Harford County to fish along our water banks for a chance[...]

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a new hunting license for first-time hunters. The Apprentice Hunting License is available to residents and nonresidents of any age who never held a Maryland hunting license. The apprentice license is $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents, and provides the same privileges as other Maryland hunting licenses. It allows anyone interested in hunting a one-time chance to try the sport before committing to the more lengthy[...]

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[...]

He wrote: “They fasten red wool...round a hook, and fit on to the wool two feathers which grow under a cock's wattles, and which in color are like wax. Their rod is six feet long, and their line is the same length. Then they throw their snare, and the fish, attracted and maddened by the color, comes straight at it, thinking from the pretty sight to gain a dainty mouthful; when, however, it opens its[...]