by Geoff Fox
Maryland Natural Resources Police Officers are investigating a hunting incident on private property in Hancock.
According to a press release on social media, Natural Resources Officers were on patrol in Hancock on Friday, April 7, when they observed Jeffrey McCarty, 57, and a 15-year old male hunting for turkeys on private property.
According to police, McCarty and the juvenile did not have permission to hunt on the property.
Spring turkey hunting season did not begin until April 18 in Maryland, and youth turkey season was on April 15, meaning they were hunting out of season.
Police said McCarty was hunting with a 12 gauge .222 over/under combination rifle and shotgun. The juvenile was hunting with a .223 rifle.
Maryland only permits hunting with shotguns, crossbows, vertical bows, or air guns that shoot arrows or bolts during the spring, police said.
While speaking with officers, McCarty admitted to harvesting a turkey a month prior on another property. Police also learned the juvenile illegally killed a buck on November 13, 2022.
Police said they plan to charge McCarty at the conclusion of their investigation. The minor will be charged through Juvenile Services.
Police seized both firearms and all hunting equipment due to the violations.
Police said the investigation is ongoing.
