Maryland Natural Resources Police conducted widespread enforcement operations during the winter months of 2025-26, leading to multiple arrests and citations for violations of hunting, fishing, and firearm laws across the state.
Officers addressed numerous infractions from December 2025 through February 2026, including illegal spotlighting, out-of-season hunting, weapons violations, improper oyster harvesting, and crimes committed on public lands.
West Virginia Resident Faces Gun Charges at C&O Canal
A routine patrol on February 13 in Washington County led to serious charges for a West Virginia man. Officers discovered a vehicle parked after hours at the C&O Canal in Williamsport with three occupants inside. A handgun was visible near the console, and investigation showed the 27-year-old Martinsburg resident lacked proper permits to carry firearms in Maryland. He now faces charges including handgun possession in a vehicle, carrying a loaded weapon illegally, and trespassing, with potential penalties of 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
Hollywood Teen Cited for Roadway Shooting
Officers responded to gunfire reports on January 28 near Lewis Wharf Road and Elliott’s Island Road in Dorchester County. They located a vehicle with three individuals, one of whom confessed to firing a shotgun from the passenger window. The 19-year-old Hollywood man was cited for having a loaded weapon in a vehicle and shooting from a public road, facing up to $3,000 in fines. Police confiscated a Browning 12-gauge shotgun.
Preston Hunter Used Wrong Weapon During Archery Season
An investigation began January 28 when officers found an eight-point deer carcass at a Caroline County processor that showed rifle wounds despite being registered as a crossbow kill. The probe revealed a 33-year-old Preston man had used a Remington .270 rifle during archery season, outside the permitted firearm dates of November 29-December 13, 2025, and January 9-11, 2026. He faces charges for hunting during closed season, falsifying harvest reports, and using improper weapons, with potential fines reaching $6,000.
Frederick County Reporting Violations Uncovered
Data analysis led to citations on January 24 for improper deer harvest reporting in Frederick County. An 18-year-old Thurmont resident failed to report his deer within the required 24-hour window and registered a nine-point buck as a muzzleloader kill without purchasing the necessary stamp. Officers seized an eight-point deer head and hide plus a nine-point European mount, with the hunter facing up to $3,000 in penalties.
Pennsylvania Hunter Exceeds Bag Limits
A 25-year-old Greencastle, Pennsylvania man was cited January 18 for surpassing deer harvest limits at Indian Springs Wildlife Management Area in Washington County. He had already taken an antlered deer during archery season but checked in another on January 17, violating Deer Management Region A regulations. The violation carries a maximum $1,500 fine.
Oyster Storage Scheme Discovered in St. Mary’s County
Dockside inspections on January 14 revealed 21 bushels of oysters being illegally stored underwater at an Island Creek dock in St. Mary’s County. The oysters, harvested between December 12, 2025, and January 9, 2026, belonged to a 67-year-old Piney Point man who admitted to storing them while awaiting better market prices. The storage location was in restricted waters due to water quality concerns. Officers returned the oysters to non-harvest waters and issued citations carrying up to $2,000 in fines.
Allegany County Felon Faces Multiple Charges
A mutual aid operation in Allegany County on January 11 led to extensive charges for a 68-year-old Flintstone man. Officers discovered eight deer heads at his residence and found multiple reporting violations. Further investigation revealed the man was a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms. Three weapons were seized, resulting in 14 natural resources citations and five criminal charges, with potential penalties of 27 years imprisonment and over $18,000 in fines.
Construction Debris Dumped in State Forest
Officers traced illegally dumped construction materials in Garrett State Forest back to a 34-year-old McHenry man on January 6. Evidence found within the debris led investigators to an active construction site, where they identified the responsible party. He received a citation for littering in a state forest, punishable by up to $500.
Smithsburg Pair Caught Baiting on Public Lands
Reports of illegal bait piles and permanent tree stands in Green Ridge State Forest led to citations on January 2. Officers found corn and apple piles where baiting is prohibited, along with permanent stands, cameras, and evidence of ATV use in restricted areas. Two Smithsburg men, ages 48 and 49, confessed to the violations and received citations carrying $500 maximum fines each.
Revoked License Holder Caught Commercial Fishing
New Year’s Day patrol in Caroline County resulted in charges for a 27-year-old Federalsburg man with a permanently revoked commercial fishing license. Officers spotted his registered vehicle at a boat ramp and waited for his return from gill netting activities. Vendor receipts showed he had previously sold blue catfish despite being barred from all commercial fishing. He faces three citations with potential $3,000 in fines.
Christmas Eve Chase Ends in Crash
A surveillance operation using a deer decoy on December 24 in Garrett County led to a dramatic chase when a 63-year-old Oakland man shot at the decoy and fled from officers. His vehicle crashed in wet conditions, and he ran into woods before surrendering. Officers recovered a .22 caliber rifle he had thrown from the vehicle and discovered he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a felony conviction and had suspended driving privileges. He faces 29 years potential imprisonment and $12,000 in fines on firearms charges alone.
Additional Violations Result in Various Penalties
Other winter enforcement actions included citations for illegal baiting in Garrett State Forest, waterfowl hunting over bait in Dorchester County, roadway hunting by brothers in Garrett County, and multiple cases of prohibited persons possessing firearms while hunting in various state forests and parks. Penalties ranged from hundreds to thousands of dollars in fines, with some cases carrying potential prison sentences for repeat offenders and those with prior felony convictions.
