Maryland Department of Natural Resources- Wildlife & Heritage Service

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Maryland Department of Natural Resources- Wildlife & Heritage Service

Our mission is to conserve Maryland’s diverse native wildlife and plant population.

08/09/2026

If you have ever wanted to hunt but are not sure how to get started, then this is the opportunity for you. Join us for the Patuxent Research Refuge Mentored Deer Hunt in September.

This workshop is designed for novice adult hunters (18 and older) who would like to learn and hunt with skilled, veteran hunters. No experience is necessary to participate! There will be an orientation, range day and a hunt with a mentor, all of which are designed to make even the most novice hunter feel comfortable and prepared.

This one has a quick turnaround with applications closing August 11th at noon!

For more details and to apply visit https://forms.gle/rgaB5ueEpmEgmaPm6

08/07/2026

We are just over half way through our survey reporting period and would like to thank everyone who has submitted a wild turkey sighting. The response has been fantastic and we’d love to keep that momentum moving through August 31.

We ask that anyone who sees wild turkey up to August 31, take a few moments to fill out our sighting report.

You can find the form here https://forms.gle/3bRxoWBUaR1zA9C76

It truly only takes a minute or two and the data is invaluable in helping our species biologist monitor populations and explain or predict annual and/or regional population changes.

Photo submitted to the DNR Photo Contest by Erik Yetter

07/16/2026

The Wildlife and Heritage Service thanks the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of Quail Forever for their commitment and partnership to enhance upland habitat on our public lands. The chapter donated $53,000 over the last 3 years to plant nearly 500 acres of native grass and wildflowers at Brown's Branch WMA in Queen Anne's County. The project will benefit a variety of wildlife species, pollinators, and water quality.

Stay tuned for more partner updates on other habitat projects at Brown's Branch WMA!

For more information about Brown's Branch WMA, visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/publiclands/eastern/brownsbranch.aspx

Photo credit: John Brader, President of Chesapeake Bay Chapter of Quail Forever
Pictured: An example of the wildflowers planted (left); Chesapeake Bay Chapter of Quail Forever members present a check to Wildlife and Heritage staff (right)

07/15/2026

This past weekend, July 10-12, several Maryland high schools sent individuals and teams to compete in the USA High School Clay Target League National Championships in Michigan. We want to recognize and congratulate them for their outstanding dedication and efforts!

Competitors were able to compete as a team and as individuals if they qualified. 240 teams, as well as 1800 individual athletes, from across the country competed for the crown.

For more information on how to get your school involved visit https://md.usaclaytarget.com/

Pictured and photo credits: Queen Anne's County High School Clay Target Team (top) and Kent County High School Clay Target Team (bottom)

07/08/2026

Don't leave pies to cool on your windowsill! and other bear tips and facts.

Yearling bears are around the size of medium-sized dogs and out on their own as an independent 18 month old for the first-time. Cubs of the year are closer to the size of a raccoon or small dog and mom is nearby.

Bears can detect food from a mile or more away, they have over 100 times as many scent receptors in their noses as people. They also have a great sense of direction and a fantastic memory for tasty food, that means you may spot them at the same berry patch each year or every trash night!

Cubs follow mom and learn from her on how and what to eat, so if mom knows you don't take proper precautions with your trash or food so will her cubs and if those cubs have cubs, so will they.

For more information about bears in July, check out https://bearwise.org/what-bears-do-in-july/?mc_cid=ce0dfb3bd6&mc_eid=751a9817bf

Photo: Sylvia Dolson

07/06/2026

As the weather warms up and the crabs start moving, let's not forget another important species, its legacy and what we can do to make sure they're here for a long long time!

The diamondback terrapin has been our state reptile since 1994. The word terrapin has been used since 1613 and comes from the Virginia Algonquin word “torope”. Terrapins used to be plentiful in our state but populations have declined due to habitat loss as well as mortality from vehicle strikes, drowning in crab pots, and other types of fishing gear accidents. One way we can help these wonderful animals is by adding TRDs (Turtle Reduction Devices) to recreational crab pots. You can see the orange one in the photo below. Terrapins are drawn in by the bait used to attract crabs to these pots. TRDs greatly reduce terrapin capture and mortality without diminishing the trap’s effectiveness for catching crabs. The device opening is big enough to allow crabs into the traps but excludes most terrapins. Terrapins may be an aquatic turtle, but they need to surface to breathe and will drown quickly once trapped in crab pots. TRDs are required by law for recreational pots.

For more information:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/documents/flyer_stores.pdf

https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/herps/Testudines.aspx?TurtlesName=Diamond-backed+Terrapin+(Malaclemys+terrapin%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B)

https://www.facebook.com/MarylandDNR/posts/pfbid02QG52hzsZw9gLHpr3obGgPWSUFo5h2j852HuEtXkX3z13M7qum5rWhvtQ8yGVckeGl

07/02/2026

Are you an educator who loves to use Project WILD? Are you passionate about teaching others about this hands-on, interdisciplinary environmental education program? Join us for facilitator training this summer and become part of a talented community of wildlife educators!

What: Triple Facilitator Training (Project WILD, Project WET, Project Learning Tree)
When: Monday, Aug 17 and Tuesday, Aug 18, 9 am - 4 pm
Where: Notre Dame of Maryland University Campus, Caroline Hall Rm 300

For more information and to register visit https://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/Educational-Events.aspx

To learn more about the programs, visit:
https://www.fishwildlife.org/projectwild
https://www.projectwet.org/
https://www.plt.org/

07/01/2026

We need your help spotting and reporting wild turkeys for our Annual Wild Turkey Survey. We would like anyone who sees wild turkey between July 1 and August 31 to take a few moments to fill out our sighting report.

You can find the form here https://forms.gle/3bRxoWBUaR1zA9C76

It truly only takes a minute or two and the data is invaluable in helping our species biologist monitor populations and explain or predict annual and/or regional population changes. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has conducted an annual summer wild turkey survey since 1993.

Photo submitted to the DNR Photo Contest by Leonardo Pecora

06/27/2026

During pollinator week, we're highlighting the frosted elfin butterfly! These butterflies are endangered in Maryland and are rare in almost every state where they occur. Part of the reason for rarity may be that their caterpillars feed on wild lupine, a plant which is threatened in Maryland. Both the lupine and the elfin occur in dry, sandy habitats that are kept open and sunny by periodic disturbances, including fire.

Frosted elfins and wild lupine have a common enemy - deer. Lupine is sometimes fenced or caged to protect it from deer browsing. While the frosted elfin caterpillars feed on the flowers and seed pods of the lupine, deer are also seeking out the same parts of the plant, and it is possible that they inadvertently consume caterpillars while they feed.

The Maryland Natural Heritage Program has found that caged plants produce more seed pods than uncaged plants. In the last few years, our Natural Heritage Program staff have started using temporary electric fencing to help protect larger areas of lupine from deer. The fencing is installed and maintained largely by volunteers and has been a great success helping boost populations of both sundial lupine and elfin butterflies! Prescribed fire is also being used to create and maintain open areas where both species can thrive

For more info:

https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/plants_wildlife/rte/rteanimalfacts.aspx?AID=Frosted+Elfin

Prescribed burns help frosted elfin habitat:
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2025/06/01/natural-heritage-program-spotlight-prescribed-burns/

Pictured top to bottom: Frosted elfin butterfly and frosted elfin caterpillar

06/25/2026

Fireflies, glow worms, lightning bugs! Whatever you call them, now is the time to see them. Fun fact: Fireflies are neither flies nor true bugs. They are beetles. We have records for nearly 20 species of fireflies in MD, including the winter firefly (who takes the summer off). From the Snappy Single Sync to the Dot-Dash to the Murky Flash-Train, they can be distinguished by their flight time and pattern. One of our most common types is the Eastern Firefly.

Fireflies spend most of their lives as larvae, up to two years, which they spend eating snails, slugs and small insects, including mosquitoes. They will pupate for a few weeks then emerge as adults. Their adult period, which lasts 3 to 4 weeks, is all about mating and laying eggs- getting down to business to create the next generation. For the sole purpose of attracting a mate, fireflies deploy their lights!

Males will flash their lanterns while moving about, looking for females, who remain still. A female will signal her interest by twisting her lantern toward the male and synchronizing her flashes, with a slight delay. Some males not only woo their ladies with their fancy dance moves, but also bring nuptial gifts, in the form of spermatophores, which the females can use as nutrients for their eggs. Sometimes, a girl likes a guy to put in a little effort. Just sayin'...

To support all our firefly species, it's easy to provide them with habitat. Let your grass grow a little longer before you cut it, or even set aside a portion to remain unmown. Go easy on the pesticides; let our natural predators take care of the pests! Leave some logs and leaf litter as shelter for the younger generations. Provide a water feature. Something as simple as a bird bath can benefit everybody - birds, bees, butterflies, etc. will appreciate that. Turn off your outside lights at night; they can interfere with firefly communication.

More info on Fireflies here:
https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2022/10/25/habitat-tip-glow-in-the-dark-backyards/

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/04/10/how-light-pollution-harms-maryland-wildlife/

2026 information and events:
Firefly Festival at Historic London Town & Gardens 6/18
https://www.acaac.org/event/firefly-festival/2026-06-18/

Susquehannock Wildlife Society - Harford County 6/26
https://allevents.in/darlington/nocturnal-wildlife-and-firefly-hike/200030199402140

In a Flash: How You Can Help Fireflies:
marylandgrows.umd.edu/tag/lightning-bugs/

Enjoy one of nature's little fireworks!

Address

580 Taylor Avenue
Annapolis, MD
21401

Telephone

+14102608540

Website

http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/default.aspx

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