Md. news article on hunting issues
02-04-2002, 08:18 AM
#1
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Williamsport Md USA
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Md. news article on hunting issues
Lawmakers to consider hunting bill
Annapolis
By LAURA ERNDE
[email protected]
Washington County hunters, long frustrated by the state's rules and regulations, are pinning their hopes on legislation before the Maryland General Assembly this year.
No, it's not the bill that would allow limited bear hunting in Maryland for the first time in more than 50 years.
And it's not another high-profile bill that would give deer hunters eight extra days, including up to three Sundays, to hunt with firearms.
It's a third bill soon to be filed by House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., D-Allegany, which attempts to take such decisions out of the political arena.
"Hunting in Maryland is under threat. It's at risk," said Steve Palmer, president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
It's being regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, which gets its direction from the governor.
Glendening has banned bear hunting even though wildlife experts have recommended a limited season.
Palmer also points to last year's deer hunt, which saw fewer kills even though the weather was good for hunters.
Taylor, who also sponsored the deer and bear hunting bills, is working on legislation that would set up an independent Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Commission.
The commission would oversee all hunting and sport fishing.
Palmer said he believes the change would allow decisions to be made based on science rather than emotion.
Palmer's group does not support the bill that allows Sunday hunting.
"Our energies need to be spent preserving the six days we have now," he said.
His group also doesn't support the bear hunting bill because that decision shouldn't be up to lawmakers.
"Legislators have no business legislating wildlife management. They are not biologists. They're out of their element," he said.
Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, said he supports the idea of an independent game commission.
"Take the politics out of it," he said.
Most local lawmakers say they favor a bear hunt to address a nuisance problem in Garrett and Allegany counties.
"It's not going to be long before bear are going to be migrating into our area," said Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington.
Most also support a longer deer hunting season to thin the growing herd.
But local lawmakers are split on the idea of Sunday hunting.
While they agree that the season should be extended, most question the need for Sunday hunting.
Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington, was the only local lawmaker who said he will definitely support Sunday hunting.
"To me it makes sense. It's not every Sunday," he said.
Del. Joseph R. Bartlett, R-Frederick/Washington, and Sen. Alex X. Mooney, R-Frederick/Washington, said they were inclined to allow Sunday hunting.
But Munson, Shank and Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, all said they have concerns about allowing deer to be shot on Sundays.
The proposed legislation would merely allow Sunday hunting, not require it.
And it would affect only rural counties.
Still, Sunday hunting is opposed by people who use the woods for hiking, horseback riding and bird watching.
http://herald-mail.com/news/2002/02/...ing_bills.html
Annapolis
By LAURA ERNDE
[email protected]
Washington County hunters, long frustrated by the state's rules and regulations, are pinning their hopes on legislation before the Maryland General Assembly this year.
No, it's not the bill that would allow limited bear hunting in Maryland for the first time in more than 50 years.
And it's not another high-profile bill that would give deer hunters eight extra days, including up to three Sundays, to hunt with firearms.
It's a third bill soon to be filed by House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr., D-Allegany, which attempts to take such decisions out of the political arena.
"Hunting in Maryland is under threat. It's at risk," said Steve Palmer, president of the Washington County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.
It's being regulated by the Department of Natural Resources, which gets its direction from the governor.
Glendening has banned bear hunting even though wildlife experts have recommended a limited season.
Palmer also points to last year's deer hunt, which saw fewer kills even though the weather was good for hunters.
Taylor, who also sponsored the deer and bear hunting bills, is working on legislation that would set up an independent Wildlife and Inland Fisheries Commission.
The commission would oversee all hunting and sport fishing.
Palmer said he believes the change would allow decisions to be made based on science rather than emotion.
Palmer's group does not support the bill that allows Sunday hunting.
"Our energies need to be spent preserving the six days we have now," he said.
His group also doesn't support the bear hunting bill because that decision shouldn't be up to lawmakers.
"Legislators have no business legislating wildlife management. They are not biologists. They're out of their element," he said.
Del. Christopher B. Shank, R-Washington, said he supports the idea of an independent game commission.
"Take the politics out of it," he said.
Most local lawmakers say they favor a bear hunt to address a nuisance problem in Garrett and Allegany counties.
"It's not going to be long before bear are going to be migrating into our area," said Sen. Donald F. Munson, R-Washington.
Most also support a longer deer hunting season to thin the growing herd.
But local lawmakers are split on the idea of Sunday hunting.
While they agree that the season should be extended, most question the need for Sunday hunting.
Del. Robert A. McKee, R-Washington, was the only local lawmaker who said he will definitely support Sunday hunting.
"To me it makes sense. It's not every Sunday," he said.
Del. Joseph R. Bartlett, R-Frederick/Washington, and Sen. Alex X. Mooney, R-Frederick/Washington, said they were inclined to allow Sunday hunting.
But Munson, Shank and Del. John P. Donoghue, D-Washington, all said they have concerns about allowing deer to be shot on Sundays.
The proposed legislation would merely allow Sunday hunting, not require it.
And it would affect only rural counties.
Still, Sunday hunting is opposed by people who use the woods for hiking, horseback riding and bird watching.
http://herald-mail.com/news/2002/02/...ing_bills.html
02-04-2002, 02:17 PM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hamilton Square NJ USA
Posts: 557
RE: Md. news article on hunting issues
So do I.
I do however take exception to one point that was made, and I quote...
"the weather was good for hunters"
She kidding? It was like 75 degrees right through the rut!
I do however take exception to one point that was made, and I quote...
"the weather was good for hunters"
She kidding? It was like 75 degrees right through the rut!
02-04-2002, 07:34 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Williamsport Md USA
Posts: 419
RE: Md. news article on hunting issues
Here's what the U.S.Sportsmen's Alliance (WLFA) has to say about our beloved governor.
Maryland DNR Held Hostage by Anti-Hunting Governor- (02/01)
Maryland
In 2001, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance labeled Maryland’s Parris Glendening the most anti-hunting governor in America. Living up to this title, Glendening’s administration continues to leave a shameful legacy when it comes to sportsmen’s issues.
Sportsmen were outraged when Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Mike Slattery was fired in 2001 for his alleged role in the defeat of an anti-trapping bill the governor had backed.
Governor Glendening founded the Maryland Non-Lethal Wildlife Management Task Force in 2001 to examine methods of wildlife control that did not involve hunting, fishing or trapping. He appointed the nation’s two most anti-hunting organizations, the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, to serve on the panel. On January 18, 2002, the task force released its final report.
Its findings call for many expensive programs to control wildlife such as high fencing, electrical fencing, roadside reflectors and more. The report states that the appropriate agencies should fund these programs - that will likely mean the use of sportsmen’s dollars. Last year, sportsmen paid for 75 percent of the agency’s budget. The report repeatedly recommends that people who want information about controlling wildlife call the Fund for Animals. Finally, the report recommends the governor appoint a more diverse Wildlife Advisory Commission to include people representing animal protection groups.
Most recently, Glendening’s anti-hunting administration has reversed the Maryland DNR’s position on two important sportsman issues. The administration is opposing House Bill 10, a bill that would authorize the DNR to establish a limited black bear hunting season. This bill is in response to recommendations from a previous task force established by the DNR to consider better management strategies for the black bear population.
The administration is also taking no position on House Bill 9, which would permit Sunday deer hunting. House Bill 9 states that hunting is the most effective and efficient method to reduce the size of the deer herd. It recognizes that deer hunting boosts local economies by bringing in an annual revenue of more than $200 million to the state.
Glendening has made Maryland a safe haven for the animal rights agenda. He has effectively muzzled the professional wildlife managers in the Maryland DNR and fired Slattery for being pro-hunting. He has brought in anti-hunting groups to examine the management philosophy of the DNR, and he has openly opposed pro-hunting legislation.
In November, the citizens of Maryland will choose a new governor. The reign of Parris Glendening will come to an end as he is not able to run for another term. In the meantime, he continues to pursue a permanent legacy that will revamp the face of the Maryland DNR and sportsmen’s rights. He is sending a message to his eventual successor that sportsmen have no political clout. Now, more than ever, Maryland hunters and anglers need to unite and choose a governor that recognizes the valuable role of sportsmen in conservation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on this website can be reprinted with a citation to the US Sportsmen's Alliance and www.ussportsmen.org
Maryland DNR Held Hostage by Anti-Hunting Governor- (02/01)
Maryland
In 2001, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance labeled Maryland’s Parris Glendening the most anti-hunting governor in America. Living up to this title, Glendening’s administration continues to leave a shameful legacy when it comes to sportsmen’s issues.
Sportsmen were outraged when Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Mike Slattery was fired in 2001 for his alleged role in the defeat of an anti-trapping bill the governor had backed.
Governor Glendening founded the Maryland Non-Lethal Wildlife Management Task Force in 2001 to examine methods of wildlife control that did not involve hunting, fishing or trapping. He appointed the nation’s two most anti-hunting organizations, the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, to serve on the panel. On January 18, 2002, the task force released its final report.
Its findings call for many expensive programs to control wildlife such as high fencing, electrical fencing, roadside reflectors and more. The report states that the appropriate agencies should fund these programs - that will likely mean the use of sportsmen’s dollars. Last year, sportsmen paid for 75 percent of the agency’s budget. The report repeatedly recommends that people who want information about controlling wildlife call the Fund for Animals. Finally, the report recommends the governor appoint a more diverse Wildlife Advisory Commission to include people representing animal protection groups.
Most recently, Glendening’s anti-hunting administration has reversed the Maryland DNR’s position on two important sportsman issues. The administration is opposing House Bill 10, a bill that would authorize the DNR to establish a limited black bear hunting season. This bill is in response to recommendations from a previous task force established by the DNR to consider better management strategies for the black bear population.
The administration is also taking no position on House Bill 9, which would permit Sunday deer hunting. House Bill 9 states that hunting is the most effective and efficient method to reduce the size of the deer herd. It recognizes that deer hunting boosts local economies by bringing in an annual revenue of more than $200 million to the state.
Glendening has made Maryland a safe haven for the animal rights agenda. He has effectively muzzled the professional wildlife managers in the Maryland DNR and fired Slattery for being pro-hunting. He has brought in anti-hunting groups to examine the management philosophy of the DNR, and he has openly opposed pro-hunting legislation.
In November, the citizens of Maryland will choose a new governor. The reign of Parris Glendening will come to an end as he is not able to run for another term. In the meantime, he continues to pursue a permanent legacy that will revamp the face of the Maryland DNR and sportsmen’s rights. He is sending a message to his eventual successor that sportsmen have no political clout. Now, more than ever, Maryland hunters and anglers need to unite and choose a governor that recognizes the valuable role of sportsmen in conservation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Information on this website can be reprinted with a citation to the US Sportsmen's Alliance and www.ussportsmen.org
02-11-2002, 11:29 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co Maryland USA
Posts: 4,966
RE: Md. news article on hunting issues
I was totally in favor of this new commission, but when he said he opposes bear hunting, a red flag went up! I think the idea is a good one, but we have to be careful that we're not getting "set-up."
I too will be thrilled when spendening is gone, but his successor is likely to be kennedy-townsend--certainly just as bad!<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>
I too will be thrilled when spendening is gone, but his successor is likely to be kennedy-townsend--certainly just as bad!<img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>
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