There are 2 short hunting seasons that are opening soon that birders 
should be aware of.  First there is duck hunting from Saturday 10-16 through 
Saturday 10-23.  It is still early and I'm not how many ducks are around 
especially with the recent drought-like conditions. I do know that at Hughes 
Hollow (Montgomery Co) there will be several hunters standing on the main 
dike early in the morning looking for ducks to magically fly over their 
heads.  Once they realize there aren't many ducks around they will be gone.
       The next one is an early muzzleloader deer season. In Allegany, 
Garrett and western Washington it runs from 10-21 to10-23.  In the rest of 
Maryland the dates are 10-21 to 10-30.  Of course there is no Sunday hunting 
on public lands..
        Personally I never worry about the muzzleloader season since it 
takes skill and there are a lot fewer hunters than during the regular 
season.  Also you can only fire one shot at a time.  I don't go into the 
woods and am aware of the hunter's locations.  This time of year I seldom go 
out on Saturdays.

Paul Woodward
Fairfax City, VA