Bag Limit

It's getting close to spring turkey hunting time. Common sense indicates this will be a good season, because we are coming off of a mild winter. The reports from around the area seem to indicate that birds are generally doing well and it is likely that a decent population of birds are within easy driving distance no matter where you live in the area. This spring, the Maryland season will begin April 18 and end May 23. The bag limit is one per day and two per season, provided you did not take a turkey last fall.

Even though many deer hunters started the 2006 hunting season in September or October, a few are still really interested heading into the final days of December. If you are still looking to fill a deer tag, there are a few late-season opportunities available as the year winds down. The following are some late season hunting possibilities: West Virginia Antlerless Season - Selected West Virginia counties offer a four-day segment to the antlerless season from Wednesday through Saturday.

By BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writer Some Western Maryland hunters have received more than one permit to shoot anterless deer because of a computer glitch, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Patty Manown, a DNR spokeswoman, said about 20 hunters have called within the last week to say they got two permits. Maryland law prohibits hunters from killing more than one doe each season, which this year runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14. Manown said department officials have no way of knowing how many extra permits have been issued, but she said the mistake was confined to four counties in Western Maryland, including Washington and Frederick counties.

Deputies respond to damage calls The Washington County Sheriff's Department responded to the following calls since Wednesday, Lt. Mark Knight said: Today: At 12:30 a.m., a window was reported broken in a house in the 19300 block of Longmeadow Road. The window was valued at $200. At 6:30 a.m., a sliding door and the driver's side of a vehicle parked at Motel 6 on Massey Boulevard was reported damaged. Wednesday: At 9 a.m., a digital camera was reported stolen from a vehicle parked in the 19200 block of Jamestown Drive.

October has something for every hunter: Waterfowl hunting, upland birds, archery deer, archery bear, fall turkey - and the list goes on. When you factor in fall fishing opportunities, you have a hard time finding enough weekend days to enjoy it all. The following is an overview of some of the October season dates. Consult regulations for detailed information on county specific regulations, bag limits and the like. Maryland Seasons Early Muzzleloader Season: In Region B, which is all of Maryland except Allegany and Garrett counties, the Oct. muzzleloader season is open Oct. 20-22 for antlered and antlerless deer.

As we get ready to turn the calendar to August, it is time to start think about the early hunting seasons. As has been the case for many years, Sept. 1 will be the opening day of the early resident Canada goose season. This early goose season allows hunters to reduce the number of resident birds before the migratory birds have arrived from the nesting grounds in Canada. The daily bag limit of eight birds is a reflection of how the wildlife managers want to reduce the resident goose population.

After so many years, it is still hard to get used to waterfowl season opening on Sept. 1. As has been the case for many years now, Sept. 1 will be the opening day of the early resident Canada goose season. This early goose season allows hunters to reduce the number of resident birds before the migratory birds have arrived from the nesting grounds in Canada. This year the proposed early Canada goose season in Western Maryland, or the Western Zone, will be Sept. 1-25 with a bag limit of five birds per day. Hunters must possess both state and federal waterfowl stamps and the free Harvest Information Program registration in addition to their regular hunting license.

Calendar Movie Opening this week "Joe Dirt" (PG-13) - Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents he lost in the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent 8-year-old. The irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks. An L.A. shock-jock's attempt to insult Joe on his radio show backfires as the entire city rallies around Joe and his quest. Starring David Spade, Kid Rock, Brittany Daniel, Christopher Walken and Dennis Miller.

DNR proposes bear season MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Morgan County hunters could have an extended antlerless deer season next year and be permitted to hunt black bear if proposed hunting regulations are met favorably. The state Division of Natural Resources announced the proposed changes at a public meeting Wednesday night in Martinsburg, where about 170 sportsmen gathered to offer suggestions for next year's hunting and fishing regulations. The possible changes: Morgan County could open bow hunting for black bear from Oct. 17 to Nov. 23. Morgan County could allow a nine-day antlerless season from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25 on private property and the normal hunting season of Dec. 7 to Dec. 12. Berkeley and Jefferson counties could retain the six-day hunting season in December, but allow out-of-state hunters, too. Some voiced opposition to allowing nonresidents hunt in the Panhandle, fearful it will limit their supply.

andrews@herald-mail.com Tri-State wildlife officials hope less restrictive hunting regulations will help thin rapidly growing deer populations. In West Virginia, hunters in the Eastern Panhandle and some other counties will be permitted to kill three antlerless deer this season instead of two, said Paul Johansen, the assistant chief in charge of game management for the state's Division of Natural Resources. Also, the antlerless deer season will run concurrently with the two-week buck season, overlapping more than it did before, he said.