The Department of Natural Resources has finalized its schedule of qualification shoots in which hunters who prove proficiency can become eligible for many of the state's managed deer hunts.
Hunters who pass the test will receive a qualification card good for the 1996-1997 season, but then will have to complete the application and lottery processes for individual hunts.
Hunters also would have to attend applicable pre-hunt meetings and pay fees.
Qualification shoots are:
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Harford County (410-278-4124); Blossom Point Proving Grounds, Charles County; Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Charles County (Indian Head Naval Ordnance Station, Code 097D1, Indian Head, Md. (20640-5000); Patuxent River Naval Air Station, St. Mary's County (PRNAS, Code 8.1.3.6.2, Patuxent River, Md., 20670-5409; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Anne Arundel County (301-261-4190 ext. 279); Fair Hill NRMA, Cecil County (410-398-1246); Elk Neck State Park, Cecil County (410-287-5333); Susquehanna State Park, Harford County; Fort Frederick State Park, Washington County; Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge, Anne Arundel County (301-317-3825); Seneca Creek State Park, Montgomery County (301-924-2127).
The schedule of shoots for the rest of the year:
Western Region: Nov. 16 -- Fort Frederick State Park range, Washington County; 10 a.m., 301-842-2155; Nov. 24 -- Green Ridge State Forest range, Allegany County, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 301-777-2136.
Central Region: Oct. 12 -- Izaak Walton League range, Montgomery County, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., pre-registration required; Dec. 15 -- Notchcliff Range, Baltimore County, noon, 410-398-1246; Nov. 2 -- Elk Neck State Forest range, Cecil County, 8 a.m., 410-287-5333.
Southern Region: Oct. 20, Nov. 3, 17, 19 -- Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge (North Tract), 8 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m., 301-317-3819; Oct. 13, Nov. 10 -- Myrtle Grove WMA range, Charles County, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., 301-743-5161.
Eastern Region: Nov. 9 -- Dave's Sports Shop, Wicomico County, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 410-543-6595; Nov. 9 -- Alexander Sporting Farms, Kent County, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 410-928-3106.
Fishing updates
Upper Chesapeake Bay: Rockfish reports indicate that consistently larger catches have been coming from the lumps near Pooles Island and the channel edges near Worton Point, where drifted eels are taking stripers to 27 inches. Gayles Shoals, Baltimore Light, Love and Swan points continue to do well. Susquehanna Flats, mouth of the Patapsco and the Chester River also are good choices. In the Susquehanna River, plugs and poppers are taking rockfish generally in the 18- to 23-inch range. White perch fishing continues to be excellent at bay bridge pilings and over hard or shell bottom along the western shore from the mouth of the Magothy into the Patapsco River and in the lower Chester River.
Middle Chesapeake Bay: With water temperatures in the mid-to-lower 60s, chummers and trollers are having good and bad days. At the Stone Rock, Diamonds, the Hill, Gum Thickeets and the Gas Docks, chummers are hitting fish from 17 to 22 inches. Trollers along the 35- to 40-foot contour from Holland Point to Cove Point have been taking fewer but large rockfish, with some ranging to 14 pounds. Small bluefish have been breaking less consistently through the area, with sea trout to be found underneath at times. More concentrated sea trout and blues seem to have moved south toward the mouth of West River and should be found in 25 to 35 foot depths down to the Winter Gooses. Sea trout in the Choptank from the Airplane Wreck to Cook's Point. Thomas Point, Tolley Point and Eastern Bay are good choices for large white perch.
Lower Chesapeake Bay: Buoy 72 and the western edge of the channel near Point No Point have reported best striper catches, but perhaps that is because of the heavy fishing activity in the area. Other good areas to try, whether chumming or trolling, are HS Buoy, Northwest Middle Grounds, and the mouth of the Potomac River, favoring the Smith Point side. In Tangier Sound, sea trout fishing is reported to be excellent, with larger rockfish, sea trout and spotted sea trout on the edges of Smith Island. Bluefish scattered through the area.
Ocean City: Flounder fishing has picked up somewhat near the Route 50 Bridge. Sea trout from 1 1/2 to 2 pounds at the bridge and inlet piers. Bluefish and rockfish to 24 inches in the inlet, and small blues, mixed bag of sea trout and smaller rockfish in the surf. Offshore, recent cold snap has yellowfin tuna moving out of the area, although a few catches still are being reported by chunkers and trollers. Croaker, sea trout and flounder being taken 1 to 3 miles out.
Loch Raven Reservoir: Bass are in the shallows off points. Yellow perch and pickerel are in the weed beds.
Prettyboy Reservoir: There is good smallmouth bass fishing on live baits or jigs fished in 15 to 20 feet of water off rocky points.
Liberty Reservoir: Largemouth and smallmouth bass have moved into the shallows. Crappie and bluegill around the beaver huts.
Upper Potomac River: Smallmouth fishing has been good on tube lures, crankbaits or drifted minnows.
Deep Creek Lake: Shiners fished in 12- to 15-foot depths have been working well for smallmouth bass. Big yellow perch and pickerel in the upper areas of the lake.
Pub Date: 10/10/96
