Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter

Cecil County – On Monday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) investigated an all terrain vehicle (ATV) accident on Elk Neck State Forest.

Two 16-year-old boys and a 14-year-old boy, all of Elkton were each operating ATV’s when one of the 16-year-olds lost control of his vehicle and crashed. He was flown to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he was treated and released for non-life threatening injuries.

All three youths were referred to the Department of Juvenile Services for operating all terrain vehicles on public property without permission. Cecil County EMS and North East Fire Company assisted NRP with the incident.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides trails for off-road vehicles, or ORV’s, in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests. Off-road vehicles utilizing these trails must be registered annually with DNR and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers are available from any DNR regional service center. Stickers and trail maps are also available at the five state forests where ORV use is permitted. It is recommended that you call the State Forest and Park Office you will be visiting before using the trails to be advised of current trail closures or hazards.

NRP reminds riders to wear a helmet and eye protection at all times and other protective clothing and footwear suitable to the environment when you ride. Remember to read and follow the ATV manufacture’s directions, limitations and warnings.

Garrett County – On Tuesday, Jan. 15, at 11:15 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged five individuals for operating snowmobiles in the Mt. Nebo Wildlife Management Area near Oakland.

While on daily patrol, NRP discovered snowmobile tracks going around an entrance gate to the area. The wildlife management area is closed to vehicles. The area is managed to provide food and cover for wildlife. Vehicular traffic is prohibited to prevent damage to the habitat.

A short time later, the officer observed five individuals operating snowmobiles in the area. NRP stopped and charged Craig J. Marple, 42, Bruce T. Lunceford, 45, Judith R. Simson, 45, John J. Simson, 44, all of Oakland and Chad M. Taylor, 31, of Accident with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in a wildlife management area.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides trails for off-road vehicles, or ORV’s, in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests. Off-road vehicles utilizing these trails must be registered annually with DNR and display a registration sticker. Registration stickers are available from any DNR regional service center. Stickers and trail maps are also available at the five state forests where ORV use is permitted. It is recommended that you call the State Forest and Park Office you will be visiting before using the trails to be advised of current trail closures or hazards.

Off-road vehicles include a four-wheel drive or low pressure tire vehicle; an automobile; a truck; a motorcycle and related two-wheel vehicles; an amphibious machine; a ground effect or air cushion vehicle; a snowmobile; and a golf cart.

Snowmobiles may only be operated on DNR lands on ORV trails designated for snowmobile use. A snowmobile may be used on trails designated for its use from December 15 through March 15 of each year, except for certain trails, which may be closed based upon consideration of overall physical, environmental, and recreational use.

Howard County – On Sunday, Jan. 20, at 5:52 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged Theodore F. Curry, 25, of Greenville, Mich. and Todd R. Sattler, 26, of Carson City, Mich. with hunting violations off of Maryland Route 97 near the Howard and Montgomery County line.

Officers responded to the area after receiving a report of a hunter in a tree stand from a concerned citizen. NRP located Curry allegedly hunting from a tree stand located in Patuxent River State Park. Shelled corn was located around the stand. NRP also located Sattler allegedly hunting on Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission property. Both men were charged with hunting wildlife on Sunday. Curry was also charged with hunting deer with the aid of bait in a state park.

Baiting involves the 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 game to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to hunt.

A person may not hunt, shoot, or kill, or attempt to hunt, shoot, or kill a game bird or a mammal by the aid of bait, on or over a baited area on any State-owned or State-controlled properties open to public hunting. The maximum penalty for a person found guilty of this offense is $500 for a first time offender.

Worcester County – On Monday, Jan. 14, at 1:50 p.m., the Maryland Natural Resources Police charged William J. Ryan, 62, of Crisfield with catching hard-shell clams with a hydraulic dredge in a restricted area in Worcester County.

Ryan was observed by NRP allegedly harvesting hard-shell clams in the Isle of Wight Bay approximately 100-feet from the shoreline of the Isle of Wight Wildlife Management Area near Ocean City. A person may not catch hard-shell clams with a hydraulic dredge or escalator harvester within 300-feet of the shoreline of federal or State-owned property located in Worcester County. The maximum penalty for a person found guilty of this offense is $500 for a first time offender.