South County homeowners host military vets for hunt

No Person Left Behind Outdoors initiative delivers a successful day

As has been the tradition each fall for more than a dozen years, the No Person Left Behind Outdoors initiative again hosted military veterans for a deer hunt last week.

Landowners from the Harwood and Lothian areas opened their farms and provided guidance to these veterans to help them have a rewarding day outdoors among nature.

Hunters took six deer in total (four does and two bucks), and organizers say it was another “tremendously successful day that could not have been possible without the generous donations of time, money, food and land from our South County community.”

After the hunt, all participants were treated to lunch prepared and served by volunteers. Everyone enjoyed fellowship together with the community that joined them. The veterans were very thankful for the experience and were sent home with gift packages, including the hand-made wooden American flags.

Maryland has a storied sport fishing tradition and many people — some colorful ones at that — have contributed significantly to it. Which makes it somewhat surprising that there hasn’t been an official, state-wide award recognizing those contributions. Until now.

Last week, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission (SFAC) took care of that by announcing the “Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award.”

According to the Department of Natural Resources press release, the award seeks to acknowledge those “individuals who have provided sustained efforts in habitat management, conservation, education, research or other meaningful contributions that benefit fish and recreational fishing in Maryland.”

John Neely, chair of the SFAC, added, “The Department and Commission worked hand in hand to develop an award we feel reflects Maryland’s sport fishing heritage. The award will recognize individuals for their dedication to conservation, education, leadership and sportsmanship.”

Winners will receive a proclamation signed by Governor Larry Hogan, DNR’s Secretary Jeannie HaddawayRiccio, and the chair of the SFAC port Fisheries Advisory Commission. Also, a donation will be made to a fisheriesrelated organization of the honorees choosing. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges, and recipients will be announced in early December, 2020.

Nominations are now being accepted through Jan. 31, 2020, and can be made online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/ mgmt-committees/sfac_award.aspx. More information is also available by contacting Paul Genovese at (410) 2608328 or by email, paul.genovese@maryland.gov.

New Award: Outdoors Calendar Through Jan. 5:

Audubon’s 120th Christmas Bird Count. Check out the interactive map on the audubon.org or search online for “Christmas Bird Count” for counts in your area by date.

Maryland Pickerel Championship, hosted by CCA MD. A catch-photo-release event. Register at ianglertournament.com/2019-20-cca -maryland-pickerel-championship.

Final day of Maryland’s Resident Rockfish Season. Min. size 19 inches, daily creel two rockfish per day between 19-28 inches, or one rockfish between 19-28 inches and one fish over 28 inches.

Duck season, third split. Six duck bag limit, no more than two mallards (only one hen), three wood ducks, two canvasbacks, one pintail, among other restrictions. Read DNR rules completely.

AP Canada Goose, first split, one bird per day.

Second segment of muzzleloader deer hunting season. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer.

Annual “Saltwater Fishing Expo,” hosted by the Frederick Saltwater Anglers. Runs 8 a.m-4 p.m. at Frederick County Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St., Building #9, Frederick. Details at wefishsalt.com.

AP Canada Goose, second split, one bird per day.

Baltimore Boat Show, held at Baltimore Convention Center. Full schedule of events and to purchase tickets www.baltimoreboatshow.com.

Kent Island Fishermen’s 10th Annual Fishing Flea Market, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Kent Island American Legion Post #278, 800 Romancoke Rd., Stevensville (1.5 miles south on Rt. 8 off of Rt. 50) Admission $4; free if 16 years old and younger.

Through Feb. 28: Dec. 15: Dec. 16-Jan. 31, 2020: Dec. 20-Jan. 4, 2020: Dec. 21-Jan. 4: Jan. 11: Jan. 14-31: Jan. 23-26: Jan. 25-26: