The Deep Creek Blog

Think Twice Before "Rescuing" White-Tailed Fawns

In late May and early June, white-tailed deer females (does) give birth to their fawns.  The Maryland DNR reminds people who may encounter fawns this spring to leave them undisturbed.

Though they weigh less than 8 lbs at birth, fawns grow quickly due to the nourishment of the protein-rich milk provided by their mothers. White-tailed does must feed often during the day in order to support nursing fawns. During these feeding periods, which may last many hours, does will often leave their fawns safely nestled in nearby woods or fields as they move about to feed. It is often during these times that humans encounter fawns and mistakenly believe them to be orphaned.

Newborn fawns have almost no body odor and their spotted, reddish-brown coat makes them almost invisible to predators. Instinctively, fawns lie motionless when approached by a potential predator or another animal. This seemingly helpless state is a survival adaptation that helps white-tailed deer survive. Despite this adaptation, curious fawns will also sometimes wander around in their new surroundings. In either case, the mother doe is always close by, even though you may not see her.

“Too often, well-intentioned people mistakenly remove fawns from the wild believing that they are helping an orphaned animal. Hours later, when the mother doe returns to nurse, she finds that her fawn is gone,” explains Brian Eyler, Department of Natural Resources Deer Project Leader. “There is no substitute for the care that a white-tailed doe can give her fawn. So, if you truly care about the well-being of a white-tailed deer fawn, leave it alone.”

If you encounter a young fawn hiding on the ground, never try to catch it. If the fawn is lying down, enjoy the moment and then quietly walk away. If the fawn attempts to follow you, gently push on its shoulders until it lies down and then slowly walk away, same as the mother doe would if she wanted the fawn to stay put.

Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law. Furthermore, the unnatural conditions of life in captivity can lead to malnutrition, injury and stress at the hands of a well-meaning captor. Wild animals that become accustomed to humans can pose health risks and become dangerous as they mature. Remember, if you observe a fawn, enjoy the moment, and leave it alone!

Individuals with questions regarding fawns or other young wild animals are encouraged to call the Department of Natural Resources’ Toll-Free Information Line at 877-463-6497 or DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service at 410-260-8540.

Additional information is available online the Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Wonderful Wednesdays in Oakland

Wonderful Wednesdays are set to start in Oakland again this year on June 18th.  The weekly event will features shopping specials, Pleasant Valley Dream Rides carriage rides and other features to be announced.  Stay tuned...

________________________________________________________________________________________

Cindy's Fund Treasure Hunt

Below is information regarding an upcoming fund raiser for Cindy's Fund.  It looks like a lot of fun and all for a good cause. 

AVAST, ME HEARTIES!! Gather your crew, give them a name and get ready to weigh anchor on an adventure to help Cindy’s Fund raise the “pieces of eight” needed to help fellow Garrett Countians with screenings to improve the battle against that old blaggard cancer!  Make your way (rain or shine) to the Oakland/Mtn. Lake Park Lions Club Pavilion at the Garrett County Fairgrounds on July 26, 2008, to join in the hunt and get Clue #1 that will set you and your crew on the course for a day full of adventure and fun.  All ye hearty mates will be justly rewarded with a free feast after the hunt.  And at the end of the line will be a little booty for you for sharing in your fun and participation.

 
Here’s how it works:
Each crew will travel to find specific places hinted at in the clues.  At each stop, you will be given the clue to the next stop; along with anything you might need to solve that clue.  And BEWARE, you just never know what that might include…….
Crews with the most points have a chance at some extra booty: 
Individual Crew Member with highest $ sponsorship collected and turned in on or by the day of the event:  Golden Ambassador ticket for 2008 Autumn Glory festivities,  and a spot in 2008 Autumn Glory Parade as the winning Cindy’s Fund Glory of Giving participant will go to the individual with the highest collected sponsorship dollars. (Donated by the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Autumn Glory Committee.)
The crew with the highest points earned: This crew will share a treasure chest filled to the brim with prizes donated by Brenda’s Pizzeria, Country Treasures, Garrett Eight Cinemas, Unos Restaurant, and Slopeside Market.

Crews can be as little as one person to as many members as can legally and safely ride in or on their chosen mode of transportation. Each crew member must have a minimum $50 donation/sponsorship to participate.  Check-in begins at 12:00 p.m. and teams will begin timed, staggered starts at 1:00 p.m.

Supporting Sponsors are: Terry Boggs/Railey Realty, Doerr General Contracting, Domenick Signs, Double G RV Park, First United Bank & Trust, Lakefront Magazine, Oakland McDonalds, Oakland Mtn Lake Park Lions Club, Oakland Shaffer Ford Sales, The Republican, Rush Services, & Denny Yoder.

________________________________________________________________________________________

DNR Kicks Off 5th Annual Natural Resource Photo Contest

The Maryland DNR is now accepting entries for the 5th Annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest. Sponsored by Ritz Camera Centers, Boater’s World Marine Centers, Maryland Public Television and DNR, the contest invites student, amateur and professional photographers to submit photos of Maryland’s diverse natural resources now through September 5, 2008.

Photographers of all ages can win up to $1,200 in prizes and a chance to have their outdoor images published in print and online. Winning entries will be featured in the winter issue of The Maryland Natural Resource magazine as well as the 2009 DNR calendar.

Photos entered into the 2008 contest will be judged within 5 categories: Birds, including waterfowl; mammals, reptiles and amphibians; invertebrates (bugs, bugs and more bugs); landscape scenes; plants; and outdoor recreation illustrating human interaction with our natural world.

All qualifying photographs must be taken in Maryland. Photographers may submit up to three entries for a $10 entry fee. Photos cannot be more than two years old or previously published. Non-residents may participate as long as the photos were taken in Maryland. Winners will be announced online October 16.

Official rules and contest entry forms are available online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/photocontest/.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Rabies Cases in Garrett County

The Republican and The Times-News both report this week on rabies cases in Garrett County.  The following in an excerpt from The Republican:

So far this year, Garrett County has experienced rabies in three raccoons and one skunk.

"Because no part of our county is untouched by rabies, it is very important to be vigilant of all wildlife," said the spokesperson. "It is especially important to keep your pets' anti-rabies vaccinations current and up-to-date. If your dog or cat comes in contact with a wild animal, be careful not to directly handle the pet without protective gloves within two hours of the exposure."

Residents are asked to report any incidents to the Environmental Health Services at 301-334-7760, or 301-334-1929 after business hours or weekends.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Music at Penn Alps Kicks Off This Weekend

Music at Penn Alps returns this weekend at 7:30 pm on Saturday with Aimee Sposato and Friends, an operatic vocal ensemble from Shenandoah University.   

________________________________________________________________________________________

Historic National Road Yard Sale

The Historic National Road Yard Sale is taking place this weekend, May 28-June 1, 2008.  This 824 mile yard sale extends from Baltimore to St. Louis Missouri all along Historic US 40. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tourism In Garrett County

Tourism in Garrett County seems to be holding its own so far this season according to this article in the Times-News.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

DNR Urges Anglers to Use Wader Sterilization Stations

Since discovering Didymo for the first time in Maryland last month, the Maryland DNR has set up six wader sterilization stations throughout the tailwaters of Gunpowder Falls, to prevent further spread of this and other aquatic invasives.  In the coming weeks, stations will also be set up along the Casselman, Youghiogheny and Savage Rivers.

Didymo is an algal diatom that forms long stalks which combine to form heavy, thick mats that can smother a stream bottom. Didymo mats, also called “rock snot,” look slimy, but feel like wet cotton or wool, and can be white, yellow or brown. The stalks can persist for two or more months after the diatoms die, causing habitat damage for an extended period of time.

“Didymo and other aquatic invasive species seriously jeopardize the health of our rivers, streams and Bay,” said Don Cosden, an assistant director with the DNR Fisheries Service. “Not only do these exotic species disrupt the local ecosystem, they are capable of permanently displacing or eradicating native species, including trout and other freshwater fisheries. We need anglers and other recreational users of this area to take 60 seconds to sterilize gear, and protect the waters they enjoy.”

Although there is no human health risk associated with the species, DNR is developing an aggressive plan of attack to deal with this invader, including asking anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extra precautions when moving from one stream or lake to another. Movement of a single cell can contaminate a new waterway, and once Didymo is established, it can cover and suffocate a stream bottom.

“Proper angler protocol is the main line of defense in preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasives,” said Jonathan McKnight, chair of DNR’s Invasive Species Team. “We are strongly urging anglers to properly sterilize their waders and all gear that comes in contact with the water prior to using the gear in a new location.”

DNR strongly urges citizens to sterilize boots, paddles, boats and anything else that comes into contact with stream water; anglers may want to consider having two sets of equipment in order to move safely from one spot to another. DNR also advises against using felt bottom boots and waders – the worst culprits in the spread of aquatic invaders – replacing them with non-porous materials. If felt waders are used, they should be completely immersed in salt solution before being used in another location.

Proper sterilization procedures include:
Before leaving a stream, scrub away all dirt and debris.
At home or at a wader sterilization station, disinfect equipment by scrubbing or soaking in at least a 5 percent salt solution (2 cups salt/2.5 gallons water) for 60 seconds and then letting dry completely or scrub with dish detergent and rinse well.
If disinfection is not possible, let equipment dry completely for at least 48 hours before next use. 

Originally found in Scotland and extreme northern Europe and Asia, Didymo has been transported worldwide. Recently, the species has been found in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In many cases, anglers have unknowingly transported the diatom on their fishing gear.

DNR urges anyone who observes Didymo on rivers other than the Gunpowder Falls to contact Don Cosden at 410-260-8287 as soon as possible.

For more information on Didymo and other invasive species, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/invasives/.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Celtic Concert will feature Bonnie Rideout, Coyote Run

The McHenry Highland Festival Celtic Concert offers fans the only opportunity to enjoy Bonnie Rideout during 2008-2009 season. The fiery Scottish fiddler and rollicking Celtic band Coyote Run will perform at  the Lodge at Wisp on Friday June 6 after a social hour beginning at 7 p.m.

“It feels odd not to be touring. It is an interesting transition moving from a busy fifty concerts per year to one,” Rideout wrote on her website, www.bonnierideout.com. She is working on a double CD project, but will continue to perform at the Highland Festival near Deep Creek Lake because of her long association with the festival.  From the Kennedy Center to Scotland’s Edinburgh International Festival, Rideout’s unique style of fiddling traditional Scottish dance tunes, ancient Gaelic melodies and Highland bagpipe music charms and captivates audiences.

She had authored nine music books, recently releasing a new book “The Scottish Fiddle Encyclopedia,” recorded a dozen solo albums and appeared as a guest musician on dozens of others. Some of her solo recordings include “Scottish Fire,” “Scottish Rant,” “Kindred Spirits,” “Celtic Circles,” and “Soft May Morn.” Her CD, “A Scottish Christmas,” was on the New York Times Top Ten Holiday Best Seller list. Rideout is the only American to represent Scottish fiddle music at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival and the first woman to hold a national Scottish fiddle title.

Coyote Run’s rich storytelling style of music was inspired by the rich heritages of Celtic, warrior and maritime traditions. Band members David Doersch, Catherine Hauke, Doug Bischoff, Michael Kazalski and Zachary Williamson identify with the defiant yet carefree nature of the coyote. Their music portrays soaring tales of battle, blood, love, loss and the joy of living.

“This is a rare opportunity to hear both of these musical names in one evening — they complement each other beautifully,” said Jerry McGee, chairman of the McHenry Highland Festival. “We are, indeed, fortunate just to be able to get them here, let alone on the same evening.”

Concert goers also can enjoy harp music and a silent auction during the social hour and Celtic tunes by the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums. Hors d’ouevres and a cash bar will be available.  The concert is hosted by and benefits the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums. Tickets cost $30. The concert often sells out, so interested people are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at the Visitor Centers or online at www.highlandfest.info.

_________________________________________________________________________________________