On 6 November 1997, Kyle Rambo wrote: > >Does Norm (or anyone else in MOS) realize that Saturday, November > >29th is > >the opening day of the firearm deer season in Maryland? I would > >strongly > >urge him and others to avoid birding on state wildlife management > >areas, > >unknown private lands, or any other area that may be open to > >hunting that > >day. Point Lookout State Park is a safe bet. Allen's Fresh > >........ from > >the road, yes. Otherwise, I don't know. Kyle, since I'm a birder, not a hunter (is that anything like being a lover, not a fighter????), no, I was unaware of the starting date for deer season. However, I'm sure the fusillade of gunfire at first light will be adequate to warn us off from those state-subsidized hunting areas. Thank you for the warning though! I had best start shopping for my blaze orange field guide cover today! This reminds me of last year's Sugarloaf Mountain Christmas Count when Fran and I found ourselves in the middle of a field surrounded on all sides by dense brush. It took us only a few minutes to realize that we were literally surrounded by hunters with ENORMOUS firearms...it was the first day of black powder muzzle-loader deer season and we had all unknowingly wandered into the line of fire. I guess this is "birding on the edge", eh? Cheers, Norm =============== Norm Saunders Colesville, MD osprey@ari.net