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Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Natural Resources Police Blotter
Allegany County – On Saturday, December 9, at 9:15 a.m. NRP investigated a hunting accident that occurred on Dans Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Middle Ridge Road. A 12-year old boy of LaVale was hunting with his father when he accidentally discharged his Winchester .243 rifle, shooting the fourth toe on his right foot. The youth’s father transported him to Memorial Hospital in Cumberland where his was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Frederick County – On Saturday, December 9, at 7 p.m. NRP charged Mehrl Franklin Mayne, 52 and Mehrl Jason Mayne, 27, both of Buckeystown with casting rays of artificial light on fields or woodland while having a weapon in possession capable of killing deer in the area of Mayne's Tree Farm. NRP seized as evidence two rifles, a Remington .30-06 and a Remington .243, a hand held spotlight and 42 rounds of ammunition.

Garrett County – On Sunday, December 10, at 8:30 a.m. NRP charged Virgil Allen Trenum, 37, of Barton with baiting deer on state owned land, construction of a permanent tree stand on state owned land without a permit and two counts of possession of untagged deer parts. Trenum allegedly had a bait station just off his property line on Savage River State Forest property with electric lights and a motion sensor running from his residence. The lights pointed on the baited area were mounted on his property line fence. From the second story French doors of Trenum’s residence was a clear shooting lane approximately 50 yards to the bait station. NRP was acting on a complaint from a concerned citizen.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police urge anyone that has information of a poaching violator or any natural resource violation to call the CATCH-A-POACHER 24 HOUR HOTLINE at 1-800-635-6124. Citizens who supply Maryland Natural Resources Police with information leading to the arrest and conviction of a poaching violator are eligible to receive cash rewards. Give names, addresses and vehicle description. The anonymity of the caller is guaranteed.

Queen Anne’s County – On Saturday, December 9, at 12:45 NRP investigated a hunting accident that occurred on private property on Burrisville Road north of Centreville. William Howard Ford, 59, of Pasadena was shot once in the neck with a shotgun slug while hunting with others on the property. Ford was transported to University of Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore by Maryland State Police helicopter. Ford underwent surgery and is in stable condition. NRP continues to investigate the incident.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police want to remind hunters and shooters of the following firearms safety tips:

  • Treat every gun as if it were loaded. Watch the muzzle! Prepare to control the direction of the muzzle even if you stumble.
  • Be sure the barrel and action are clear of obstructions and that you have only ammunition of the proper size for the gun you are carrying.
  • Be sure of your target and what is beyond it before you pull the trigger; know identifying features of the game you hunt.
  • Unload guns when not in use. Take down or have actions open. Guns should be carried in cases to the shooting area.
  • Never point a gun at anything you don’t want to shoot or kill. Do not play with a firearm.
  • Never climb a tree or jump a ditch with a loaded gun. Never pull the gun toward you by the muzzle.
  • Never shoot a bullet at flat, hard surfaces or water.
  • Store guns and ammunition separately, beyond the reach of children and careless adults. Use trigger locks.
  • Avoid alcoholic beverages and medications that cause drowsiness before or during use of a firearm.

December 11, 2006

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 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 11 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