| Press Releases | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Anne Arundel County – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) continue to investigate a fatal hunting accident that occurred late Saturday afternoon, Sept. 20, on private property in the 2400 block of Rutland Road near Davidsonville.
Joseph Philip Adams, 46, of Glen Burnie was hunting deer from his tree stand when he fell approximately 15 feet to the ground. He was not wearing a safety harness. Adams and a friend were archery hunting from tree stands approximately 80 yards apart when the friend heard Adams call for help. The friend called 911 after finding Adams lying on the ground, unresponsive.
Adams was transported to the Anne Arundel Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Adams’ body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy. The incident is still under investigation.
Last year, 70 percent of the hunting accidents in Maryland were tree stand related. Maryland Natural Resources Police want to remind hunters of tree stand safety tips that can help you stay safe during your hunting experience:
- Always use a safety harness when hunting from a tree stand and always use a climbing belt when climbing up or down a tree. Most tree stand accidents occur when a hunter is either entering or exiting a tree stand.
- Never carry equipment with you while climbing. Use a haul line to raise or lower your gear. Make sure firearms and crossbows are unloaded and broadheads are covered prior to raising or lowering firearms, crossbows, or bows with a haul line.
- Read, understand and follow the factory recommended practices and procedures before installing and using commercial stands and any equipment.
- Stay away from permanent tree stands. They weaken with age as nails rust and wood rots and they damage trees. If you must use a permanent tree stand, check it out during a pre-season scouting trip to make sure it is still safe to use. Replace any worn or weak lumber.
- Choose only healthy, living trees when using climbing devices. Rough-barked trees such as oak are best. Do not use a tree that is rotten or has dead limbs.
- Never put all your weight on a single branch. Keep at least one hand and one foot on a secure place when reaching for the next hold.
- Climb higher than the stand and step down onto it. Climbing up onto it can dislodge it.
- Wear boots with non-skid soles, because steps or platforms can be slippery in rain, sleet or snow.
- Tell a dependable person where you’re hunting and when you plan to return. Map your whereabouts and leave a note at camp, at home or in your vehicle so that you can be found.
- As a precautionary measure, clear all debris from the ground below the tree stand.
- Use updated equipment. Newer tree stand equipment is solid, safe and secure. Updated safety harnesses offer more protection than older ones.
- Carry a whistle to call for help and carry a first aid kit, flashlight and cellular telephone in a fanny pack.
- Never take drugs or use alcohol before or while hunting. Vision, coordination and senses can be affected.
- For more information on safe hunting in Maryland, visit the DNR website at www.dnr.maryland.gov.
Baltimore County – On Monday, Sept. 22, Eric Joseph Dwayne Jenson, 32, of Baltimore City was found guilty in Baltimore County District Court of theft and malicious destruction of property. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail for the malicious destruction of property charge, and 90 days in jail to be served concurrent for the theft charge.
NRP arrested Jenson on August 14, after he was observed at about 1:40 p.m., breaking into a pickup truck located in the parking lot of the Gunpowder Falls State Park on Belair Road next to the Big Gunpowder River. As the officer approached, Jenson ran to his vehicle and sped from the parking lot. The officer activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to stop the vehicle, but Jenson refused.
Jenson accelerated and a pursuit ensued north on Belair Road. Jenson turned east onto Mount Vista Road and crashed his vehicle as he attempted to negotiate the turn at Mount Vista Road and Old Landing Road. Jenson then exited his crashed vehicle and attempted to flee from the officer but was apprehended by the officer after a brief foot pursuit.
Somerset County – On Thursday, Sept. 18, James Allen Stanley, 46, of Pocomoke was found guilty in Somerset County District Court of possessing protected wildlife species without a wildlife cooperator permit. He was fined a total of $272.50.
NRP charged Stanley on June 1, after learning that he was in possession of three Great Horned owls and one Red-tailed hawk without a wildlife cooperator permit. Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service personnel assisted NRP and took possession of the raptors during the incident.
Maryland law specifies that any properly accredited person desiring to assist the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the control of wildlife injurious to agriculture or other interests, or to provide care and treatment of sick or injured wildlife for rehabilitation and release back to the wild, shall first obtain a wildlife cooperator permit from DNR.
The permit system is used to ensure that the permit holder will have adequate training in the capture, handling, and care of wildlife and owns or leases facilities demonstrated to be of sufficient size and design to properly maintain the permitted wildlife in captivity.
September 24, 2008 Contact: Sgt. Ken Turner
410-260-8003 office
kturner@dnr.state.md.usThe Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 280 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov