Last week, two bull sharks, each more than 8 feet long, were caught in two separate pound nets set on the Potomac River. Watermen Willy Dean of Scotland, Md., was collecting cow-nose rays for the Calvert Marine Museum to display in their aquarium when he discovered an 8-foot bull ensnared in his net off Cornfield Harbor near Point Lookout. St. Mary's County waterman Thomas Crowder also trapped a big bull in his pound net, which was off Tall Timbers, north of Cornfield Harbor. Both sharks were most likely feeding on rays.
"(The shark) was very lively when we found it," Dean told me via cell phone. "It fought hard, and took a couple hours (for us) to wear it out."
Dean and his crew roped the shark's head and tail, and then hoisted it onto the deck of the boat where it died shortly afterward. The shark Crowder caught reportedly drowned in the net; the crew cut its stomach open to sink it.
When asked if he thought about releasing it alive, Dean didn't hesitate.
"No, not for a second. Would you want your kids swimming with it in the water?" he asked, referring to the public beach at nearby Point Lookout State Park. "They are man eaters." Dean has the bull shark in his walk-in freezer, and plans to mount the head and perhaps eat the meat.
Dean admitted he's heard some criticism, but vows if he catches another shark he'll kill it, too. He joked that those people who say he should have released the big bull ought to swim around with it for a while and then decide if they want it back in bay waters.
Put me down as a "yes" vote on the release, negative on the swim. (For the record, I've had a couple shark encounters, one particularly close one.) Dean and others can make their own choices, but the fact remains the Chesapeake is over run with cow rays, which eat oysters, decimate clam aquaculture and tear up grass beds. Rays are a favored food of sharks, yet shark populations are in serious decline. You do the math. Thankfully, sharks are still part of the marine ecology, and after 400 million years I say deserve to share our bay.
Early Teal Season: The September teal hunting season opens Sept. 16 and runs until Sept. 30, the DNR's Wildlife & Heritage Division announced last week.
"The September teal season provides a unique opportunity for hunters to pursue these early migrants before the regular duck season opens in mid-October," said Larry Hindman, DNR's Waterfowl Project Leader. According to a US Fish and Wildlife survey, blue-winged teal have increased by 36 percent above the long-term average.
For complete regulations, visit DNR's website.
National Hunting & Fishing Day: If you've ever wanted to shoot a bow, cast a fly rod or shoot sporting clays - for free, I might add - then head over to Schrader's Bridgetown Manor in Henderson on the Eastern Shore on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This family event offers a range of outdoor activities, including an archery shooting range, wood duck box making and fly tying and spin casting as well as dog demonstrations. Learn expert tips from the pros on waterfowl and turkey calling lessons and demonstrations, archery and target shooting on the grounds with skilled instructors. Experienced and novice outdoorsmen and women will enjoy hunting and fishing displays and demonstrations of outdoor skills.
More than 30 fishing and hunting clubs, conservation organizations and local businesses will join host Maryland Department of Natural Resources to learn how to get involved in outdoor pursuits.
Patty Allen, DNR's Natural Resource Manager and Education Specialist who coordinates the National Hunting and Fishing Day said it's a "great way to introduce young people and newcomers to outdoor sports.
For more information about Maryland National Hunting and Fishing Day or for directions, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/NHFD/index.asp or call Patty Allen, 410-260-853.
Outdoors Calendar
Sept. 11: Maryland Fishing Challenge "Grand Awards" Celebration. Sandy Point State Park.
Sept. 12: Glenbrook Rifle Assoc. Archery, shotgun and muzzleloader qualifications for managed hunts for state, Howard and Anne Arundel counties. Contact Phil at 410-437-4806, or philldeer@aol.com.
Sept. 13: Pasadena Sportfishing Group. 7:30 p.m. Earleigh Heights Fire Station. Doors open 6 p.m. Visit www.pasadenasportfishing.com for details.
Sept. 25: Fourth Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day Celebration and Expo, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Schrader's Bridgetown Manor on the Eastern Shore. Free admission. Visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/NHFD/index.asp or call 410-260-8537.
Oct. 10: Glenbrook Rifle Assoc. Archery, shotgun and muzzleloader qualifications for managed hunts for state, Howard and Anne Arundel counties. Contact Phil at 410-437-4806, or philldeer@aol.com.
Oct. 30: Monster Rockfish Tournament. Chesapeake Bay. www.monsterrockfishtournament.com.
Nov. 20-21: MSSA's 18th Annual Chesapeake Bay Fall Classic. Last year's winner won nearly $45,000. Click on www.mssa.net for details and registration.
Tuesdays through December: Stoney Creek Fishing and Hunting Club, trap shooting open to the public, 5 p.m., 9090 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena. Call 410-255-9425 for details.
Send outdoor calendar items to Chris D. Dollar via e-mail at cdollar@cdollaroutdoors.com.
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