Leave the heat, rain and stormy weather of summer behind and plan for a fun filled Sunday evening in the Southern Maryland countryside. The date is Sunday, September 12, from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. for some great Southern Maryland style outdoor music. Hosted by the Izaak Walton League’s (IWLA) Southern Maryland Chapter at their beautiful “Outdoor Education Center” and farm property, there will be fun for the whole family. Music from the 50s, 60s and 70s will be featured. Also included will be country and rock n’ roll. Allen Gardiner and Joe Webb are to provide memorable musical renditions. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and wrap yourself in some great music and pristine outdoor evening sky. On the evening of September 12 it will all within a short distance of Waldorf, at 4200 Gardiner Road. The concert benefits the Izaak Walton League. Cost to attend is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 14-18 and admission for the youngsters is free of charge. Drinks and food will be available at a concession stand. For information or directions, call (301) 645-3323.

     The IWLA Southern Maryland Chapter home and “Outdoor Education Center” is located a few miles from the intersection of Popular Hill and Mattawoman Beantown Roads, near Waldorf. Turn onto Popular Hill Road from Mattawoman-Beantown and then turn right onto Gardiner Road..Follow Gardiner Road to it’s end at the IWLA Southern Maryland Chapter property. Directions are also available at the Chapter’s website; http://www.iwlasomd.org/iwlamap.htm

     September is the month for the beginning of Maryland’s deer archery season. On those cool early fall mornings, bow hunters will be making the best of what scouting and observations they have made before the season. For information on Maryland’s 2004-05 deer archery season, visit the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website at; http://www.dnr.state.md.us The DNR can also be reached by phone at; 1-877-620-8367 or 410-260-8100 Deer hunting often includes the use of portable and fixed tree stands, especially by archery hunters. Inspect you tree stands thoroughly before climbing into or using them. Repair, tighten or replace any worn or loose parts. Always wear your safety harness while climbing into and out of a tree stand and keep it on and secured while hunting. Let someone know where you will be hunting and when you expect to return.

     A hunter education class will be held on September 28, 29 and 30, 2004 at the Callao Rescue Squad Building on Route 360, just East of Callao, Virginia. Class hours are 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For complete certification, students must attend all sessions. The course is free of charge and no registration is required. For additional information, call Bruce Wilds at (804) 580-8942.

     Information on Virginia’s upcoming hunting seasons can be obtained by visiting the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) website at; http://www.dgif.state.va.us

     There are significant changes this year with Virginia’s hunting license tagging system for harvested deer and turkeys, which are meant to make things easier for the successful hunter and more efficient for the Game Department. Information on the new process is also available at the DGIF website. You can also call the Main DGIF office in Richmond at (804) 367-1000.

     The “Hunters for the Hungry “ Program in Virginia is a noble cause which helps feed the less fortunate across the Commonwealth. Deer donated by hunters are processed, wrapped and distributed to food banks, church groups and Social Services locations in Virginia, who in turn provided it to the needy. This year the DGIF is again providing the option to donate $2 to “Hunters for the Hungry” when purchasing 2004-05 hunting licenses. While $2 doesn’t seem like a lot of money from each license holder, the overall collective support means everything to the effort. To find out more about “Hunters for the Hungry”, visit their website at; http://www.h4hungry.org They can also be contacted at, 800-352-4868. 

© 2004 Steve & Chelly Scala All Rights Reserved