WESTMINSTER — The Department of Natural Resources has found a deer-checking station to temporarily replace Heagy's Sport Shop, which burned in last Sunday's blaze.
Marilyn Mause, a district wildlife biologist for the Department of Natural Resources, said Parham Taxidermy, at the intersection of Route 140 and Bethel Road about four miles west of here, isavailable to check deer immediately.
The firearms season, during which most of the animals are bagged,runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 this year. The bowhunting season startedin September and runs until early January -- except while the firearms season is conducted.
Mause said ironically, some of the work produced by Parham Taxidermy was on display at Heagy's at the time of the fire.
Mause added that a Heagy's employee had just counted up the book of tags issued Saturday, so the DNR should be able to piece together any records lost in the fire. Mause said Heagy's had checked in more than 100 deer already in the bow season.
Mause also said Heagy's owner Charles Nightingale indicated he planned to be back in action next year.
Here is the complete list of deer-checking stations in the county, with hours of operation: * C & C Taxidermy, BachmanValley Road and Route 30, Melrose, 857-2820. Bow season: Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Firearms season: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
*Fish Maryland Bait and Tackle, 1912 Liberty Road in Country Village Shopping Center, 795-1061. Bow season: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Firearms season: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* The Gun Shack, 101 S. Main St.,Mount Airy, 829-0122. Bow season: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Firearms season: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
* Harvey's General Store, 4170 Francis Scott Key Highway, north of Taneytown, 756-2567. Bow and firearms seasons: Monday to Saturday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Parham Taxidermy, Route 140 and Bethel Road, Reese, 848-1656. Bow season: Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, call ahead. Firearms season: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, call ahead.