Wildlife

POOLESVILLE, Md. -- The Potomac Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, in conjunction with the BCC Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, will hold a Fun Shoot and Sporting Clays Challenge on Saturday at the League's shooting grounds, Izaak Walton Way (off West Willard Road), Poolesville.  According to Terry Oland, the entry fee for the 50-target event (25 trap and 25 sporting clays) is $40, and includes dinner, trophies and prizes. The event is open to the public. The shoot is limited to 50 participants.

HAGERSTOWN The Humane Society of Washington County will stop capturing sick and injured wildlife in the City of Hagerstown effective Oct. 1, 2008. Paul Miller, the humane society's executive director, wrote in a Sept. 9 e-mail to Hagerstown Police Chief Arthur Smith that the humane society does not have adequate staff or funding to continue responding to wildlife calls. Although Miller did not return two telephone messages seeking comment on Wednesday, the e-mail said the city should consider contracting with a private company or working with county officials to find a solution.

Members of the community are invited to apply by Feb. 10 to become Maryland Woodland Stewards, a program of University of Maryland Extension. The training process teaches participants how sound woodland management practices can be used to make wildlife healthier, more diverse and abundant, while enhancing other forest benefits. Each year, a select group of 25 woodland owners, managers and/or environmentally concerned citizens are chosen from applicants to participate in a 3 1/2-day seminar that emphasizes education through demonstration.

By JULIE E. GREENE Staff Writer CLEAR SPRING - A black bear that killed a pet goat early Friday morning could be the same bear that was in the Indian Springs area on Sunday, a wildlife official said. "They do roam a lot," said George Timko with the Wildlife and Heritage Division of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The bear was seen knocking over a garbage barrel around 5:45 a.m. in a yard at 12309 Four Locks Road before it got into a fenced-in area and killed the Mellott family's 2-year-old goat, according to Timko and Peggy Mellott.

Teams from Clear Spring High School swept the competition last week, winning all top three places in the 2007 Washington County Envirothon. The top team was the Clear Spring Wilderness Wanderers, which also took top honors in Soils, and Alternative Energy. Team members Casey McNamee, Allison Moore, Allen Mackey, J.D. Repp and Elliott Reid and will now compete in the Maryland State Envirothon at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, on June 19 to 21. Clear Spring Envirothon coaches are Sue Lowery and Terrie Shank.

Editorial - What's best for animals Last Friday The Fund for Animals sent the West Virginia Board of Education a letter complaining that many local school systems were excusing students from class during the first week of hunting season. Heidi Prescott said students should not be freed from their studies to participate in an activity having "no redeeming social or educational value. " We love animals, too, but we believe that Prescott and the members of her Silver Spring, Md.-based group have not considered the possibility that an outright ban on hunting - which is after all, their true objective - might not serve the best interests of the animals they claim to love.

SHARPSBURG - A two-part workshop will teach local homeowners how to create beautiful, natural backyards that attract wildlife, and enhance privacy and value. Sponsored by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, the Woods in Your Backyard Workshop will be Thursday, Sept. 25, and Thursday, Oct. 2, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Agricultural Education Center on Md. 65 (Sharpsburg Pike). "The workshop will focus on simple woodland stewardship practices that will help people have more time outdoors, increase property privacy and sanctuary, increase wildlife abundance and enhance property values," said instructor and Natural Resource Extension Specialist Jonathan Kays.

Legacy Outfitters of Hagerstown will hold its Casting for Kids program Saturday at 11 a.m. The event, which is free, will be held at Legacy Outfitters, at 1021 Mount Aetna Road, 1/2 mile from Municipal Stadium. There will be a casting competition for children and adults, and other outdoor-related displays and activities. The event will include free food and drinks. The Maryland DNR will be on hand to discuss rules and answer questions about wildlife. For more information, call 240-367-7114.

Janet McKegg was born in 1954 in Washington County General Hospital and spent the first 18 years of her life in Pleasant Valley, about 10 miles south of Boonsboro. She loved nature and its creatures from her earliest years, and also loved horses from the first time she saw one, getting astride a draft horse before she was 2. She attended the University of Maryland at College Park, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology. She began her 28-year career with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources as a ticket taker at Cunningham Falls State Park and progressed from that to becoming the DNR's first woman wildlife biologist.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Firearm, arrow and "bull" shooting at Sparks Sport Center is coming to an end Saturday, when the business just south of Martinsburg closes after more than 30 years of operation. "(We're) gettin' a lot of testimonies - unsolicited," said Clarence "Dick" Pharr Jr. on Tuesday after shaking the outstretched hand of an appreciative, albeit disappointed, customer of the family-owned wildlife sporting goods store at 400 Wheatland St., just off U.S. 11. An auction to sell the contents that remain after the store closes at 5 p.m. Saturday will be held Sept.