Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society on hosting a conservation banquet

The Potomac Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society is holding its 24th Annual Conservation Banquet on June 5th at Big Cork Vineyards, 4236 Main St., Keedysville. The social hour and raffles start at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7.30 p.m. Dinner tickets, including RGS membership, are $ 90 for one person and $ 145 for two. and $ 65 for dinner and RGS junior membership for children under 17. Sponsorship tickets are also available. The $ 200 raffle package will be reduced to $ 100 if purchased before May 20th. Only 150 tickets will be sold for this event. For tickets, sponsorship, or donations, contact James Harris at beavercreekflyshop@gmail.com or 301-524-9201.

Trout Stocking in Frederick County

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources stored 300 golden and rainbow trout in Catoctin Creek (Doubs Meadow, late harvest) on April 27. Middle Creek received 2,000 gold and rainbow trout on April 28, while Carroll Creek (youth and blind) received 600 gold and rainbow trout, and Woodsboro Community Pond received 1,000 gold and rainbow trout. A fishing license with a trout stamp is required to fish the filled streams and lakes of Maryland. The full terms can be found at www.dnr.maryland.gov.

Maryland Teen Catches New Record Fallfish

A Harford County’s youth angler Maxwell Diegel caught a 2.14-pound fall fish while fishing in Broad Creek on April 19. 13-year-old Maxwell was fishing corn and worms from the bank when he hooked the record catch. Its catch broke the previous state record fall fish of 2.07 pounds caught in 2019. Anglers who believe they have a potential record catch should call 443-569-1381 or 410-260-8325. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources recommends submerging the fish in ice water to maintain its weight until it can be verified, verified, and certified.

National Park Service introduces mobile app

The National Park Service’s new mobile app was developed by Park Rangers for visitors and provides up-to-date information on all 423 national parks. The app can be downloaded from the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store or at go.nps.gov/app. Features include interactive maps, activities, and attractions.

Grand National Turkey Calling Championships canceled

The National Wild Turkey Federation has canceled its popular Grand National Calling Championships for 2021. Annually in connection with the NWTF Convention and Sport Show in February, the championships have been postponed at this time and are now canceled. The event attracts hundreds of the world’s top youth and adult callers to compete for various titles and cash prizes. For more information on attending this event, see ww.nwtf.org.

“Shrimp of the Bottom”

Brood X periodic cicadas are coming soon. While you may not be excited about the arrival of the Great Eastern Brood, the wildlife will emerge as a smorgasbord with “shrimp of the ground,” according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. When the nymphs show up and dig dime-sized holes in the ground, look for box turtles, raccoons, flickers to the north, wild turkeys, foxes, and other wildlife to feast on and likely make those dime-size holes bigger as they dig after that Cicada. Citizen scientists can help with cicada science by reporting their observations at cicadasafari.org, a free smartphone mapping app in the Apple App Store or Google Play. The site is also full of facts and activities related to cicadas.

National Park Holding Synchronous Firefly Viewing Lottery

Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park is running a lottery for a vehicle pass to watch the naturally occurring phenomenon of a species of firefly blinking in sync. As of 2006, access to the park’s Elkmont area has been restricted during the eight days of forecast peak activity expected from June 1-8 this year. A total of 800 passports are issued. Lottery applications are accepted until May 3rd and can be submitted until www.recreation.gov.