Members of the Central MD Chapter have been in consultation with the WMA Manager for the past several months. The Chapter asked permission to hire a Contractor with RGS Funding to facilitate the DNR’s goal for accomplishing this Project. The Project was paid for using Sate Drummer Funding and reopened paths that had become lost to vegetation throughout the WMA.
This Project was deemed necessary to recreate habitat “edges” for wildlife and particularly Woodcock; which frequent the WMA and use it as a migration stopover point and a wintering ground. The WMA has many swamps and is near the Potomac River which is the boundary line south of Washington DC between MD and VA. Additionally the mulching reestablished these paths throughout the WMA to allow foot-access (and potential driving access for Americans With Disabilities) for hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to many parts of the WMA.
A permit was submitted and approved by the DNR to hire a Forest-Mulcher Contractor to clear these paths throughout the WMA that were left unattended since 2021. The vegetative growth had made access along the paths unusable and prevented foot-access to the WMA.
DNR approved the Permit in JUL 2024. A Contractor was hired. And work was accomplished on 12 AUG 2024. My daughter and I are both FAA Certified Commercial Remote (Drone) Pilots. With DNR approval, we collected Drone Content before the Project commenced and during the mulching.
Long-time Chapter Member, Mr. Ed Nicholson was the lead on this Project. He shepherded the effort from its inception to conclusion. He was instrumental in personally meeting and coordinating with the DNR WMA Habitat Manager to ensure access to the Property in order to complete the Project. And he found and coordinated with the Contractor to do the work. Ed’s friend and Chapter Member Mr. Ira Strouse was instrumental in walking into the Cover and marking the paths for the Contractor to mulch on the day of operation. The Contractor completed the Project on time and on budget. That was key as the DNR wanted the Project to be completed before the MD Dove Hunting Season begins on 2 SEP 2024.
A by-product of this effort occurred when the Habitat Manager visited the site during operation. She seemed pleased. And accepted our invite to hunt Woodcock over our dogs this coming season. As she is not a hunter. She is keen to observe how the dogs work the Covers to find Woodcock.
