New Yearâs Day hike with PVAS
Join Jim Cummins, Potomac Valley Audubon Society president, for a Jan. 1 hike at 10 a.m. heading downstream and back along the C&O Canal while observing natural features and history around the Pack Horse Ford section. The walk will start at the large parking area off Canal Road and is about 2 miles round-trip. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. Dress for the weather. Register at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org or 681-252-1387.
Winter solstice and full moon hikes
Strawberry Hill Nature Center, 1537 Mount Hope Road in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, will host winter solstice hikes at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 to observe the shortest daylight hours day of the year. A full moon hike starts at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Bring a flashlight and listen for owls and other nocturnal animals. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for all hikes. To register or for more information, call 71
Deer hunters report successful firearms opening weekend
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says that hunters reported 11,054 deer taken on the opening weekend of the 2020 Maryland firearm season, Nov. 28-29. The harvest was 19 percent higher than last yearâs official first weekend harvest of 9,272. The 2020 total includes 4,932 antlered and 5,799 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 163 antlered and 160 antlerless sika deer. In Frederick County, 492 antlered and 665 antlerless deer were taken opening day, Nov. 28; 153 antlered and 197 antlerless were harvested Nov. 29. the season closes Dec. 12.
Muzzleloader deer season reopens Dec. 19
The muzzleloader deer hunting season in Maryland reopens Dec. 19 and runs through Jan. 2, 2021. This is the second half of the split season. Duck season runs Dec. 15 through Jan. 30, 2021; mourning doves Dec. 19 through Jan. 9, 2021; squirrel and rabbit seasons continue through Feb. 27, 2021; and ruffed grouse through Jan. 31, 2021. Hunt