Category: HUNTING & FISHING

CNB Hunting News: Maryland Spring Turkey Harvest over 5,000 Birds

Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Report Harvest of 5,094 Birds

June 1, 2026

Wild turkey

Photo by Tessa Farley, submitted to the 2021 Maryland DNR Photo Contest.

Maryland hunters harvested a total of 5,094 wild turkeys during the 2026 spring season. This year’s harvest was 5% higher than last year but remained below the record harvest of 5,356 set in 2023. 

“Favorable weather helped contribute to another productive spring season for Maryland turkey hunters,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Karina Stonesifer said. “While populations can fluctuate across regions and from year to year, turkey hunters continue to enjoy quality hunting opportunities across Maryland.” 

Garrett County reported the highest harvest with 542 turkeys, followed by Charles County with 452 and Worcester County with 430 turkeys. Allegany and Washington counties also reported over 300 birds each.

Youth hunters started the spring turkey season with the Junior Turkey Hunt, April 11-12. A total of 441 wild turkeys were taken during that weekend, representing 8% of the total. Sunday hunting accounted for 14% of the statewide harvest.

Hunting licenses for the 2026-27 season will be available starting July 1 on the Maryland DNR website. The major fall hunting seasons begin Sept. 1 with mourning dove season, and deer hunting begins with archery season on Sept. 11. 

Harvests by county for the past five seasons are below:

County20222023202420252026
Allegany282483345314372
Anne Arundel85136106118101
Baltimore82101897185
Calvert7299107101100
Caroline168174151162192
Carroll94132125118130
Cecil679586112130
Charles334445472445452
Dorchester170180211226216
Frederick343391322281294
Garrett436579546506542
Harford9112810598108
Howard5161404346
Kent160184130184193
Montgomery164206150121137
Prince George’s115164135129123
Queen Anne’s144170191186240
Somerset176199202175184
St. Mary’s204253226282293
Talbot849695119102
Washington400515445406382
Wicomico193215238254242
Worcester293350442400430
Total4,2085,3564,9594,8515,094

The 2026 Garden State Deer Classic – June 6-7!

The annual Garden State Deer Classic features outstanding white-tailed deer harvested during the previous year’s hunting seasons and recognizes the hunters who took them. The deer had been entered in the Outstanding White-tailed Deer Program.

The 2026 Deer Classic will be held during the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Sportsmen’s Jamboree at Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farm in Andover, NJ from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., June 6-7, 2026. Admission is free with a non-perishable food item donation.

Continue reading “The 2026 Garden State Deer Classic – June 6-7!” →

New research details PFAS prevalence in the Delaware River Basin

The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) is sharing the latest results of extensive field investigation and monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in PFAS Water Quality and Fish Tissue Assessment Study, a report marking more than 20 years of dedicated research into so-called forever chemicals within the Delaware River Basin.

The new research confirms PFAS contamination is both widespread and persistent in the Delaware River and selected tributaries. Surface water concentrations are increasing at a faster rate than water volume as the river moves downstream into Delaware Bay, suggesting there are ongoing inputs from unknown sources like industrial facilities, wastewater discharges and stormwater.

Continue reading “New research details PFAS prevalence in the Delaware River Basin” →

Retention Limit Adjustment: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Fishery

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits will take effect June 1, 2026, and extend through December 31, 2026, unless modified by later action. NOAA Fisheries may need to take additional action later in the year to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.

As of June 1, 2026, the retention limits will be:

Highly Migratory SpeciesVessel/Permit TypeRetention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip(lengths in curved fork length)
Private vessels with Highly Migratory Species Angling permits2 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)
Charter boats with Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally3 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)
Headboats with Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally6 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)

Note: The retention limits per vessel per day/trip. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, no more than a single day’s retention limit may be possessed or retained at the end of the trip upon landing. For example, whether a private vessel (fishing under the Angling category retention limit) takes a 2-day trip or makes 2 trips in one day, the day/trip retention limit of 2 bluefin tuna, of which only 1 may be a large school/small medium, applies and may not be exceeded upon landing.

Who is affected?

The changes apply to Highly Migratory Species Angling and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally. The daily retention limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf of America, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.

Catch reporting

Highly Migratory Species Angling and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of trip by:

Learn More

Bluefin Tuna Commercial General Category Fishery Reminders

NOAA Fisheries reminds Atlantic Tunas General category permit holders and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit holders fishing commercially for bluefin tuna that the General category fishery will re-open June 1, 2026.

General Category Retention Limits

Unless modified, the following default retention limits apply:

June 1-June 30: 3 large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip

July 1-December 31: 1 large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater curved fork length) per vessel per day/trip

Continue reading “Bluefin Tuna Commercial General Category Fishery Reminders” →

Required Reservations for Five Most Popular Drive-on Surf Fishing Beaches Begin May 23

Five of the most popular drive-on beaches for surf fishing in Delaware require reservations on weekends and holidays beginning May 23, but reservations at seven other locations are not required since a change was adopted in 2025.

Anglers Gearing Up For Garden State Surf Fishing Classic

Anglers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic, the state’s premier fishing tournament being held this Sunday, May 17, at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County.

Anglers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in the Garden State Surf Fishing Classic, the state’s premier fishing tournament being held this Sunday, May 17, at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County.


The annual tournament brings awareness to New Jersey’s rich cultural heritage of recreational saltwater fishing and the importance of protecting the state’s marine resources. The popular family event allows participants to hone their surf fishing skills while competing for the ultimate catch. Registration begins at 5 a.m. for those who are not pre-registered. Fishing will take place from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Potosnak will participate in the tournament awards ceremony at 2 p.m.

Continue reading “Anglers Gearing Up For Garden State Surf Fishing Classic” →

DNREC Announces June 6 and 7 Will be Free Fishing Days in Delaware Waters

DNREC encourages Delawareans and visitors alike to celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week (June 6-14) with two days of free fishing in the state Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7. On these two days anglers may fish, crab and clam in any Delaware waters without possessing a 2026 fishing license.

DNREC to Hold First Community Meeting on Chronic Wasting Disease

DNREC will hold the first community meeting about the recent detection of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Delaware’s white-tailed deer at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 13 at the Baldcypress Nature Center at Trap Pond State Park in Laurel. For anyone unable to attend the in-person meeting, a virtual option is available.

2026 Atlantic Shark Commercial Fisheries Adjusted Quotas

NOAA Fisheries announces the adjusted quotas for the 2026 Atlantic shark commercial fisheries.

What will it do?

The Atlantic shark commercial fishing year automatically opened on January 1, 2026 under base quotas. 

NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the 2026 commercial quotas based on underharvests from the 2025 fishing year, consistent with existing regulations.

Who is affected?

  • Atlantic commercial shark fishermen 
  • Dealers who buy or sell sharks or shark products
Learn More