| Press Releases | Search DNR | DNR Home |
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Allegany County – On Monday, Oct. 20, at 5:30 p.m. the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged two Cumberland men with baiting black bear while hunting on private property located on Dan’s Mountain near Lonaconing.
Robert Murray Weatherholt, 55, and Robert James Weatherholt, 23, both of Cumberland, were charged with hunting black bear with the aid of bait after NRP observed both men allegedly hunting over two different baited areas approximately 300 yards apart. Both areas were baited with donuts and shelled corn.
A person may not hunt or attempt to hunt black bears by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area. Baiting involves placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed that would lure, attract, or entice black bears to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to hunt them. The maximum penalty for a person found guilty of this offense is $1,500 for a first time offender.
A person may not hunt or participate in a hunt for black bears in Maryland without having first obtained a black bear hunting permit. The person, who has been issued a permit to hunt black bears, or permittee, may designate another person to participate in hunting black bears. That person would be the subpermittee. A subpermittee may hunt black bears only when the permittee is hunting black bears. A permittee and subpermittee shall maintain visual contact with one another while hunting black bears.
Officers issued both individuals citations for hunting black bear with the aid of bait and failure to maintain visual contact while hunting black bears.
NRP remind citizens that they can report illegal activity 24 hours a day by calling the Catch a Poacher Hotline at 1-800-635-6124. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed.
Baltimore County – On Wednesday, Oct. 22, Steve E. Clagett, 47, of Windsor Mill pleaded guilty in Baltimore County District Court to possessing and offering for sale a dangerous animal and unlawful possession of a timber rattlesnake.
NRP charged Clagett on July 30, 2008 after investigating a tip from a concerned citizen alleging Clagett was offering copperhead snakes for sale. During NRP’s investigation, officers seized as evidence ten copperhead snakes, four eastern hog-nosed snakes and one timber rattlesnake. Clagett was fined a total of $1,500 plus court costs.
Cecil County – On Sunday, Oct. 19, the Maryland Natural Resources Police seized 53 suspected marijuana plants from private property off of McCauley Road in Conowingo.
NRP was in the area investigating a hunting complaint when they located the plants. In addition to 53 marijuana plants ranging in size from 18 to 24 inches, officers also located and seized additional suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia from the property. NRP is not releasing the name of the landowner at this time nor have any charges been filed at this time. The incident is still under investigation.
.
October 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