My name is Vicky Mullaney, and life for me is uncommon. I am the chef and lodge manager at The Lodge at Black Pearl, an 870-acre farm and private hunting preserve in Dorchester County, Maryland. I am the mother of five and grandmother of three. I’ve developed an unconventional skill set over the last 30 years. I am a huntress. I can cast a fly rod and butcher a deer. I grow oysters and help[...]

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[...]

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’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[...]

As the first cold front moves across the Chesapeake Bay, anglers’ minds wander to thoughts of fall fishing – rockfish in particular. It’s been an odd summer with epic rain, some hot days and very warm water. Everything said, the fishing has been productive for the resident rockfish and the rains and floods have kept the water oxygenated and the fish have thrived. Live lining spot over hard bottom or against structure in moving water[...]

Fall arrives and the green of summer gives way to an autumn palette of auburn and gold seed heads on our farm. Combine engines roar back to life, punctuated by the familiar sound of wings flapping overhead and the honking of geese returning to their winter havens. The cacophony of ducks – always present at Black Pearl – is now augmented by the twilight bugling of sika deer on the marsh. For the Mullaney family[...]

Once Maryland’s Deer Firearm Season opens the Saturday after Thanksgiving, it’s time to start planning a hunt to fill your freezer. Known for its thriving white-tailed deer populations, Western Maryland is the perfect place to harvest deer for the winter. Its stunning natural beauty has long attracted outdoor enthusiast and hunters. Whether you’re heading to Western Maryland from out of state, or just looking for a change of scenery from your usual tree line, read[...]

Depending on who you talk to, some may say the Waterfowl Festival (November 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th) in Easton, Maryland is for fine art, while others will tell you it’s the best place to learn about traditional Eastern Shore heritage, and a hunting buddy might tell you it’s the place to pick up the latest and greatest hunting gear. It truly does have something for everyone and is a great fall weekend[...]

Local lore around here holds that the waterfowl migration begins on the first north wind after the full moon in October. The beginning of November is the peak of the waterfowl migration in our area. Ducks such as Pintails, Blue and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Mallards, Black Ducks, Shovelers, Wood Ducks and Widgeon, as well as Canada Geese, find their way back here to the farm each year. We don’t hunt the early seasons in September[...]