Hunting-Related Policy Issues Pending Consideration
Nearing End of the “Input” Phase and Beginning of the “Decision” Phase
Starting on or about March 11, 2022, the Maryland General Assembly will enter into its “decision-making” phase of the regular 90-day Session which started on January 12, 2022 and will end on April 11, 2022. The “decision-making” phase comprises the last 30 days of the 90-day Session. And, we’re almost there…no decisions yet, but they’re coming.
This Update will focus on those hunting-related policy proposals which are front and center in the Halls of Annapolis. No prediction is made herein b/c the legislative process is so unpredictable that even the “best guess” scenario can prove wrong. And, the last thing the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND would ever want is to make a prediction that did not come to fruition. Plus, we don’t vote and no one really knows the outcome until all votes are cast, be they for and or against something that you may want.
What we can say, however, is the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND work hand-in-hand with the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus within the Maryland General Assembly. It’s quite the partnership. We also work closely with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, often capitalizing on their national experience re certain subject matters.
Stopping the Expanded Nighttime Killing of Deer: On March 2, 2022, the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND presented testimony before the House Environment & Transportation Committee in support of stopping further nighttime shooting of deer by those DNR-permitted individuals known as "Deer Cooperators" and "Agricultural Deer Cooperators". The Farm Bureau is aggressively lobbying hard to stop this one.
Below is the link to the bill and attached is our testimony which explains the issue in depth.
Affording Landowners Liability Protection: On March 2, 2022, we also testified before the House Environment & Transportation Committee in support of House Bill 956. The intent of this proposal is to remedy a Court Ruling stating that Maryland's recreational use statute does not afford landowners the extent of liability protection coverage assumed by them all for several years. Long and the short of it: absent enactment of this legislation no landowner in his/her right mind would allow someone to hunt on their property b/c of possible injuries sustained at no fault of the landowner.
Below is the link to the bill and attached is our testimony.
Expungement of Prior Hunting/Fishing Violations: For lots of reasons, many a hunter/angler have made mistakes -- with no malice towards the resource – resulting in a citation for a violation of Maryland's hunting and/or fishing laws. If convicted – either by paying the fine and/or a court conviction -- the way Maryland law reads now is there is no legal reprieve...the violation haunts you forever b/c there is no expungement authorized for violating Maryland’s hunting/fishing laws. The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND are working to remedy this law that few sportsmen/women even know exists, until its too late.
Below is the link to the bill and a statement of support by the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus.
50-Yard Archery Safety Zone: There are 8 counties now with statutory authority permitting the safety zone for archery hunting from 150 yards to 50 yards. We are working on 3 counties this Session to enable a reduction from 150 yards to 50 yards, with the exception of Kent County which is asking for 75 yards. The other two counties are Charles and Prince George's.
The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND -- on our watch -- is aiming towards securing this 50-yard archery safety zone in as many counties as are willing via our partnership with the Maryland Bowhunter's Society.
Helping Secure Funding for MNRP's Airbus Helicopter: The Hogan Administration has finally stepped us and budgeted moneys in fiscal year 2023 to underwrite a new Airbus helicopter for Maryland's Natural Resources Police (MNRP), aka $6.2 million. Since MNRP lost their "eyes in the skies" years ago -- linked to aging aircraft + the high cost of replacement -- they have been totally dependent upon the Maryland State Police which have a fleet of Dauphine helicopters, aka French-made top of the line aircraft.
Anyway, the Maryland State Police have been less than accommodating to the MNRP. One understandable reason is b/c the Maryland State Police must abandon what they're in the act of doing to transfer patients injured on the road, or elsewhere. Aside from this, it's been like pulling hen’s teeth, so we're told, for MNRP to gain access.
There is no legislation on this one. The General Assembly's independent staff agency -- Department of Legislative Services -- has recommended the $6.2 million for the MNRP helicopter be eliminated and instead continues its shaky reliance upon helicopters owned/operated/controlled by the Maryland State Police.
We are working hand-in-hand with the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus -- as we do with all policy-related proposals, both during the 90-day Session and the 9-month Interim -- to convince the budget committees (Senate Budget & Taxation Committee and the House Appropriations Committee) -- to reject the DLS proposed cut.
Below is the link to the DLS budget analysis Attached is the Caucus position statement opposing the DLS recommendation.
Local Sunday Hunting Bills: There are a slew of them this Session. As mentioned before, most of these bills propose to abandon existing statutory protection -- that is, designated Sundays that are embedded in State law -- and, instead, allow DNR through the annual regulatory process to determine which Sundays would be available for Sunday hunting. The one positive thing about such a shift is that upland game -- not waterfowl -- could be allowed which is beyond most Sunday hunting days for deer on private and public lands, with certain exceptions granting turkey hunting on certain Sundays, authorized at present.
Last Session, these same bills passed the House but failed in the Senate. This was because of a rift between the Chairs of the respective committee about several controversial issues facing the General Assembly in general, and the two Committees in particular.
Sunday Waterfowl Hunting: This is the single most contentious Sunday hunting issue out there. Legislation has been introduced to authorize statewide Sunday hunting for waterfowl.
IN CLOSING: There are many other issues – some policy, some non-policy – the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND are working on in conjunction with the State/local lawmakers plus the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. Important for everyone to understand: the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND serve as the last line of defense against those individuals, groups and organizations whose priorities do not align with those of conservation-minded sportsmen/women.
