Outdoor followers throughout Southern Maryland are using the month of March to get ready for some great times in the woods of the free state. While the Western end of the state continues to provide some of the larger wild turkey flocks and better Spring gobbler hunting in the free state, Calvert county in Southern Maryland, continues to be a premier source of resilient wild turkey numbers. Even as Charles County adapts to a diverse mixture of rural landscape, farms, tidewater marshes, woods, bottomlands and suburban “bedroom” community growth, you can still hear the gobblin’ ghosts in the bottomland backwoods of “bumpy oak” road, the Zekiah Swamp and the historic family farmlands which still dominate large sections of the county. Southern Maryland provides some of the best habitat available for wild turkey proliferation and has benefited from the live trap and transplant program, where birds are captured, moved and released in areas where new flocks can flourish. A continuous partner in this effort with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources Wildlife & Heritage Division in the Southern Region of the stated are dedicated members of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Southern Maryland Chapter. 

     While chapter members work hard all year round in restoration and habitat improvement efforts on behalf of the wild turkey and the environment, they find time for fun to which everyone is invited. On Saturday March 2, at the Izaak Walton League’s Southern Maryland Chapter near Waldorf, a Maryland state calling contest sanctioned by the NWTF will take place. Come join in the, “Maryland State Spring Thunder” at the Izaak Walton property located at 4200 Gardiner Road in Waldorf. All can enjoy the, “Turkey Calling Contest and Expo”, which has a lot to offer. Vendors, taxidermists, shotgun raffles and a food concession will be part of the day-long series of events which include champion turkey calling competitor and call maker, Ronny Johnson. During the March 2, event, Johnson will provide a turkey hunting tactics seminar from 10 to 11 a.m. “Maryland State Spring Thunder” is sponsored by, Dick’s Sporting Goods in Columbia, Coca-Cola® in LaPlata and Bass Pro Shops in Anne Arundel Mills. 

     Competition for the calling contest begins at noon. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to category winners. The competition levels will be: Adult:Maryland State, Adult Open, Junior, Owl Hooting and Open Amateur. Those competing must be (NWTF) members, but you can also join at the show if you are not already a member. Registration for those competing is from 9 to 11 a.m.

     Information on the March 2, “Maryland State Spring Thunder Turkey Calling Contest & Expo”, can be obtained by calling Bobby Boarman at 301-259-2830 or Bob Eichler at 301-473-8104. The Izaak Walton League’s Southern Maryland Chapter is located a few miles from Waldorf,  at the end of Gardiner Road. From Route 301 South in Waldorf, turn left onto Route 5 South towards Lexington Park and go 2.7 miles to Popular Hill Road. Turn left on Popular Hill Road and continue 1.3 miles to Gardiner Road. Turn right on Gardiner Road and go 1.3 miles to the Izaak Walton League Property. From the Route 301 North approach, turn right onto the Route 5 Business/Leonardtown Road. Go 2 miles and turn left onto Mattawoman Beantown Rd. Go .3 miles and turn right onto Popular Hill Road. Continue on Popular Hill for 1.3 miles and turn right onto Gardiner Road. Continue another 1.3 miles to the Izaak Walton League Property. 

     The NWTF fun in Southern Maryland doesn’t stop in March. On April 13, the NWTF Southern Maryland Chapter will hold their annual “Superfund Banquet”, at Middleton Hall, in Waldorf. Tickets will be on sale at this month’s calling contest and can also be obtained by contacting Lynn Saunders at 301-274-0004. A great annual event for the kids takes place on June 22 when the Southern Maryland Chapter holds their annual Juniors Achieving Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES) day. This year, the fun-filled day for youth and their adult companions will again be held at the beautiful Izaak Walton League property on Gardiner Road, near Waldorf. Contact Danny Estevez at 301-743-5161 for information. Look for mention  in Outdoors Online http://www.chesapeakestyle.com/internet/internet.html or Tidewater & Timber http://www.chesapeakestyle.com/tidewater/tidewater.html on the upcoming Women in the Outdoors event put on by the NWTF’s Southern Maryland Chapter. It will be scheduled for sometime this fall. Call Susan Boarman at 301-259-2830 for information. 

© 2002 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved.