If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association announced that the 2011 MSSA Captain of the Year is Sam Fisher Jr. of Heathsville, Va. Fisher is a long-standing member of the Dorchester County Chapter of the MSSA, and captured the honor sponsored by Judge Yachts, of Denton.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

Deer hunters experienced a range of weather for the two-week firearm season in Maryland and harvested an estimated 41,421 deer a 2 percent increase from last year's harvest of 40,694 deer for the same period. This year's total included 14,302 antlered deer and 27,119 antlerless deer. Sika deer totals were 455 antlered and 549 antlerless.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

Anglers from Maine to North Carolina made their way to Maryland last weekend, Nov. 19-20, to test their skills during the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association 19th annual Chesapeake Bay Fall Classic.

ANNAPOLIS (AP) Maryland Natural Resources Police are reminding hunters about state and federal regulations on waterfowl hunting.

There's good news for at least one filter feeder in the Chesapeake Bay. Large amounts of freshwater from storms are blamed for a large die off of oysters this year in the upper Bay. But this week's decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to cut the commercial harvest of menhaden will improve the population of one of the bay's other important natural cleaners.

This year's 17th Annual Maryland Junior Deer Hunt Day is next Saturday, and new this year is another day to hunt. The hunt will continue Sunday in counties that permit Sunday deer hunting on private lands. That means us.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

The 2011 Young of the Year striped bass survey was 34.6, about six times that of last year, and is the fourth highest measure of spawning success in the survey's 58-year history.

The first portion of Maryland's muzzleloader deer season opens on Thursday, Oct. 20. It's one of many deer seasons the DNR offers each year from September to January to create recreational opportunities and meet deer management goals.

The racing last weekend centered around the Tred Avon Yacht Club in Oxford, with the Star Fall Wind Up fleet racing on both days and the Shields and PHRF fleets joining in the fun on Sunday.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

We're still racing, but the timing is getting short. The folks at the Tred Avon Yacht Club are finishing the season with a flourish, with the Shields and PHRF fall series on tap this weekend. The Oxford Amateurs were "calmed out" for their last race and are finished for the year, except for their banquet, and the Miles River Wednesday night racers have one to go for the year. And, the Herring Island fleet has completed their JAM series, has one more Fall Series race and then a Frostbite series of three races in October.

Schrader's Hunting and Maryland's Department of Natural Resources put together another fantastic National Hunting and Fishing Day event yesterday with many families shrugging off occasional showers to take part in the many activities.

Maryland will celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day right here on the Mid-Shore, at Schrader's Bridgetown Manor on Oakland Road in north Caroline County. More than 30 fishing and hunting clubs, conservation organizations, local businesses and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will participate in the event which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24.

After enduring the wind and rain last weekend, only one fleet was on the race course this week.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsports@chespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.

Racing shifted, for the most part, to Oxford this past week, with the Annapolis to Oxford race on Friday and a slew of races for many classes over the weekend.

Maryland's DNR has released its proposed 2011-2012 late waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits. The DNR will accept public comment on the proposed regulations through August 17 and will announce the finalized seasons and bag limits in early September.

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has announced the lottery phase of waterfowl blind site licensing will take place Tuesday at designated locations throughout the state. On Wednesday and thereafter, licensing will take place only at the DNR Service Centers in Salisbury, Centreville, Bel Air, Prince Frederick and the Tawes Building in Annapolis.

Maryland's Department of Natural Resources has opened its virtual doors to a free online fishing clubhouse for anglers between the ages of 5 and 15.

If you are planning an outdoor event it may be included for free in this column by sending an e-mail to sdsportschespub.com; sending a fax to 410-770-4019, or by writing to OUTDOOR DATEBOOK, c/o The Sunday Star, P.O. Box 600, Easton, Md. 21601.