MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE SPORTSMEN’S CAUCUS TRIUMPHS FOR 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR IN ANNAPOLIS
Advancing the Sportsmen’s Agenda
in the Halls of State Government
Maryland remains at the forefront of policy-related achievements for its sportsmen’s community. What makes this so remarkable is the fact that Maryland is the home of the Humane Society of the United States – this country’s premiere animal-rights organizations whose National mantra is to “eliminate hunting one state at a time.”
With the 2006 Maryland General Assembly having adjourned on Monday, April 10th, we can now reflect on another year of impressive policy-related achievement for sportsmen’s rights in Maryland.
Minimum Age Hunting: Maryland does not have a minimum age hunting law. Instead, youth under the age of 16 must posses a Hunter’s Safety Course in order to hunt. In October 2006, an 8-year old girl harvested the first black bear in Maryland’s second open season in far Western Maryland – prior to last year, the season had been closed for 53 years for conservation purposes.
Afterwards, an uproar resonated throughout the State for a minimum age hunting law to be enacted by the 2006 Maryland General Assembly. Due diligence by the Caucus/Foundation partnership prevented the bill from even being introduced.
Tidal Fisheries Management Strategy: Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources announced in Fall 2006 that two Rivers – Choptank and Nanticoke – would be open for commercial harvesting of yellow perch for the first time in 17 years. The recreational fishing community of Maryland loudly voiced its opposition and sought intervention by the Caucus. Hovering in the background was serious consideration to advancing statutory restrictive measures on DNR via the 2006 Session. However, the Caucus intervened and prevailed in securing language in the State’s fiscal year 2007 State Budget that requires DNR to work with specific organizations – commercial and recreational interests – on enhancing the State’s method of managing for tidal fisheries…in the meantime, the proposed expansion of commercial harvesting in the two Rivers was put on hold.
The Governor has no official role in approving the budget language, meaning it is already approved and awaiting the action of the impacted parties…a good thing for the recreational fishing community of Maryland which has already expressed widespread appreciation.
