2022 Session of the Maryland General Assembly

The dog days of summer are behind us. With Autumn winds come thoughts of the approaching 90-day legislative Session. The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND stand guard in the Halls of Annapolis to protect the legacy, heritage and traditions of hunting in Maryland on every policy front: statutory, budgetary and regulatory. And we walk hand-in-hand in these Halls with the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus within the General Assembly, admirably led by the Senator Co-Chair, Senator Jack Bailey (R, District 29) and the House Co-Chair, Delegate Ned Carey (D, District 31A).

2022 Session of the Maryland General Assembly

On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the General Assembly convenes in Annapolis for its annual 90-day Session. In Maryland, all roads lead to Annapolis so anything of statutory and/or budgetary importance happens during Session. This is an intense period. And hunting-related issues are always controversial making the intensity even more pronounced. Why? When you consider that only a handful of the 188 lawmakers (47 Senators and 141 Delegates) hunt and the urban mindset – not favorably inclined to support hunting issues – dominates all voting, the answer becomes obvious.

The 2022 Session will be the last Session of a 4-year term. What makes this worthy of mention is the fact that election year Sessions are those in which lawmakers historically shy away from controversial issues in fear of alienating would-be supporters. Remember, all lawmakers want to be re-elected. Prudence dictates strategic thinking separate and distinct from the other 3 Sessions.

ISSUES OF INTEREST

Only when a bill – a proposed amendment to existing law or a new law altogether – is introduced during the 90-day Session, can one know who is behind an initiative and its intended purpose. Until such time one can only speculate about such things. Rumors abound throughout the “Interim” – that 9-month period between the 3-month “Session” – but look to the Session for facts.

Here are some of the hunting-related issues that may surface during the 2022 Session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Nighttime Shooting of Deer

There is speculation the farming community will advance a nighttime shooting of deer bill by those holders of Deer Management Permits, aka “DMP’s”. Keep in mind that DNR-approved DMP’s – granted to landowners who purportedly document measurable economic losses attributable to deer – allow holders to harvest deer beyond hunting season, including Sundays, with multiple weapons of choice. DNR further allows certain holders of DMP’s to harvest deer at night during the months of February and March. As hunters, no one need convey what it means to harvest deer during these two months.

If such legislation is introduced in 2022, the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND will stand in firm opposition. Our arguments are self-evident and will be conveyed to decision-makers by every means imaginable.

Sunday Hunting

Maryland reversed a statutory prohibition against Sunday hunting dating back to 1723 in 2003, albeit for deer only on private lands for two days only. Of the original 12 counties that agreed in 2003, only 3 counties today have not yet approved any Sunday hunting: Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s.

During the 2021 Session, several Sunday hunting expansion bills – deer and turkey – were passed by the House of Delegates only to fail in the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee (SEHA), including House Bill 615 which would have lifted the prohibition of Sunday hunting in Prince George’s County and reduced the archery safety zone to 50 yards. There were many underlying reasons for their collective defeat in SEHEA. The Hunters of Maryland are keenly aware of these reasons and are working to mitigate them in order to secure enactment in 2022.

Funding for DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service

The American System of Conservation Funding means that hunters/anglers underwrite 100% of the cost for wildlife/fisheries management b/c we are the single most vested user groups. However, this 75-year plus model is no longer working. Demands upon our wildlife/fisheries departments attendant to an expanding population, greater public land acquisition and an aversion to increasing licensing fees, means these public entities are struggling to meet their statutory mandate.

Such acknowledgement compelled the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND In 2020 to advocate for a $100,000 general fund appropriation to DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service. NOTE: General funds are separate from special funds whereas the former is derived from such revenue sources as income and sales taxes whereas the latter is derived from licensing fees. The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND argued in 2020 that wildlife is owned by the citizenry – so says the Public Trust Doctrine – and everyone (not just user groups, aka hunters) should share equally in the costs of their sustainable management. And that $100,000 of taxpayer moneys should be budgeted to supplement – not supplant – hunting license fee revenues which have not increased in a very long time.

WE PREVAILED. The $100,000 was included in a fiscal year 2021 Supplemental Budget – this is fiscal nomenclature for an amendment to the originally proposed Budget Bill the Governor introduces each January as required by the Constitution – that comes out in late March before adjournment in April, aka 90-day Session. And, we all celebrated this “first-ever” historical fiscal achievement.

This $100,000 sadly fell victim to COVID in July 2020.

DNR forfeited the $100,000 to the Wildlife & Heritage Service in July 2020 when the State’s Comptroller informed decision-makers that State revenues would be insufficient to meet anticipated expenditures for budget balancing purposes because of the pandemic – a Constitutional requirement in Maryland – absent immediate reduced spending. Consequently, the Governor ordered all State agencies to submit proposals to reduce their respective spending. And, DNR gave up this $100,000 for Wildlife & Heritage. THE IRONY: the federal government allocated so much money to Maryland that these reductions were more than offset; alas, no finger pointing here b/c the State acted in good faith before knowing the federal government would come to Maryland’s fiscal rescue.

The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND are working to convince the Governor to include $100,000 in general funds to DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023). Hope springs eternal the 2022 General Assembly will consider and approve a truly “first-ever” $100,000 general fund appropriation to DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

ALWAYS ON PATROL

The HUNTERS OF MARYLAND work year ‘round with State lawmakers, et al, to protect the legacy, heritage and tradition of hunting. Pictured herein is Steve Keithley, Founder of the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND plus Bill Miles, Advocate for the HUNTERS OF MARYLAND, with the Senate Majority Leader (Senator Nancy King) with whom we recently conferred about hunting-related issues for consideration by the 2022 Session.

MBS host the Co-Chairs of The Maryland Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, Senator Jack Bailey (St Mary’s Co) and Delegate Ned Carey (Anne Arundel co).

With the financial support of several, an effort to found a Maryland hunting lobbying group “Hunters of Maryland” (HoM) was formed. We have made an impact in Annapolis for protecting hunting rights in Maryland. This past weekend, Maryland Bowhunters Society (MBS) held their annual Banquet in Pasadena. It was a pleasure to host the Co-Chairs of The Maryland Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus, Senator Jack Bailey (St Mary’s Co) and Delegate Ned Carey (Anne Arundel co). We thank them in their efforts to promote/protect hunting in Maryland.

Chronic wasting disease takes hold in Bay states' deer

Right to Fish & Hunt Act of 2021

“The Right to Fish & Hunt Act of 2021is the single, most historic legacy we as the sportsmen/women of Maryland can bestow upon future generations to inspire them to pursue these noble pursuits afield.”

Senator Jack Bailey Senate Co-Chair - Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus

“Securing enactment of the Right to Fish and Hunt Act of 2021is by far the single greatest legislative achievement in my career as the elected Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 31A.”

Delegate Ned Carey House Co-Chair - Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus

“With the enactment of this historic legislation, Maryland joins some 25 other states to formally protect the rights of our nation’s original conservationists –sportsmen and women. With its passage a resounding statement has been made on the continued relevancy of our time-honored traditions and the numerous benefits hunting and angling provide for our society, our fish and wildlife resources, and the habitats on which they depend.”

Jeff Crane, President and CEO - Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation

The Right to Fish & Hunt Act of 2021 was signed into law on May 18, 2021culminating in a Herculean effort to convince the 2021 Maryland General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 318 and House Bill 1134, respectively. The former was sponsored by Senator Jack Bailey and Senator Bryan Simonaire while the latter was sponsored by Delegate Ned Carey. Effective October 1, 2021, Maryland State law – Section 4-103 and 10-102 of the Natural Resources Article (Maryland Annotated Code) – will read as follows:

4-103

• THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT: (1) FISHING IS A VALUED PART OF THE STATE’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE THAT PROVIDES UNIQUE RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE; AND (2) FISHING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE STATE’S ECONOMY BY CONTRIBUTING TO TAX REVENUES AND EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE’S FISHERIES, NATURAL AREAS, AND WATER RESOURCES.

• IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE HAVE A RIGHT TO FISH SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UNDER LAWS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS.

10-102.

(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT: (1) HUNTING IS A VALUED PART OF THE STATE’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE THAT PROVIDES UNIQUE RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE; AND (2) HUNTING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE STATE’S ECONOMY BY CONTRIBUTING TO TAX REVENUES AND EMPLOYMENT AND, THROUGH THE RECEIPT OF FEDERAL FUNDS, SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE’S WILDLIFE, NATURAL AREAS, AND RELATED RESOURCES. 

(B) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT RESIDENTS OF THE  STATE HAVE A RIGHT TO HUNT SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UNDER LAWS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS.   

Let there be no mistake about it, there was tremendous opposition to this legislative proposal.  The fact the bills did not pass until the final day of the 90-day 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly testifies to the opposition’s strength.  However, the Hunters of Maryland – in cooperation with the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – did not waiver and ultimately prevailed.

Legacy of Hunting Recognized by the 2021 Maryland General Assembly

Hunting and fishing in Maryland will soon no longer be considered privileges, but Rights under State law. 

The 2021 General Assembly did the unthinkable.  It debated and concurred to bestow the right to hunt and fish on its citizenry as evidenced by its passage of Senate Bill 318/House Bill 1134 in the final hours of the 2021 Session, aka Sine Die on April 12, 2021.  Enactment into law now awaits the Governor’s signature which is expected.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/sb/sb0318T.pdf

Space and time constraints preclude a detailed accounting of the legislative battles waged in securing passage during the 90-day Session.  Suffice to say it was not pretty.  The Hunters of Maryland (HOM) did ultimately unmask, however, the anti-hunting element within and outside the General Assembly.  And this element is alive and well.   For Maryland’s hunting community to think otherwise would be to its peril.  These individuals, groups and organizations are well organized and deep pocketed.  They tried frantically to defeat the measure at the 11th hour with drastic tactics but to no avail.  It was a landmark victory for all those who hunt and fish in Maryland…an everlasting legacy.

Two questions come to mind:  (1) what arguments were given in favor; and (2) what does such recognition mean?  The former is explained in the attached testimony from HOM and the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and the latter simply means lawmakers acknowledge that hunting and fishing are deemed worthy of an elevated status in the eyes of the public.  In essence, a statutory right found outside the Declaration of Rights enumerated by Maryland’s Constitution.  

WHAT ELSE DID HOM ACCOMPLISH-OR FAIL TO ACCOMPLISH-THIS SESSION ON BEHALF OF MARYLAND’S HUNTING COMMUNITY?

Defeat of the Required Criminal Background Check on Purchasing Ammunition:  House Bill 175 would have required a NICS Index background check on the purchaser of any ammunition within the State of Maryland.  The NICS Index, which was established under the federal Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, is a national system that checks available records on persons who may be disqualified from receiving firearms under federal or state law. Under federal law, federal firearms licensees may initiate a NICS background check only in connection with a proposed firearm transfer; they are strictly prohibited from initiating a NICS background check for any other purpose.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0175F.pdf

Defeat of Restricted Access to Firearms by Minors:  House Bill 200 would have prohibited access to a firearm by a minor, defined as someone under the age of 18.  Enactment would have ended anyone under the age of 18 from hunting with a firearm. 

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0200F.pdf

Defeat of the Commercialization of Venison:  A long-term goal of the agriculture community is the commercialization of venison as an alternative means of curtailing Maryland’s deer population.  In 2015, legislation was considered by the General Assembly to authorize such commercialization and it failed.  However, the hunting community has stood alone in opposing the sale of coveted and finite wildlife for remuneration purposes.  It re-surfaced during the 2021 Session via House Bill 594.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0594F.pdf

Imagine returning to the dark days of market hunting in Maryland.  What would happen?  Poaching, black markets and the extirpation of wildlife owned by the citiznery.  And, who led the effort this year with the underlying support of the agricultural community?  Surprisingly, it was the Montgomery County Legislative Delegation.  Officials there have grown tiresome of purported failed efforts by DNR to help them curb the growing population of deer there.  Figuring such a proposal would trigger DNR to commit to a strategy to help them, the legislation was submitted.  And, it worked.  DNR committed, in writing, to a year-long statewide study – along with stakeholder reps – of creative ways to thin Maryland’s deer herd so the proposal was withdrawn. Clearly to HOM, this would have kept the venison commercialization dream alive for the agricultural community.  

Without delving into all the sorted details, the issue was put to rest – with a strategy put forth by HOM – with the adoption of budget language, via the Budget Bill shown below.  This means that DNR will study the deer population issue ONLY in Montgomery County, not a statewide study.  Consequently, the possibility of statutory approval of a venison commercialization program emanating from this restricted study is minimized.  This does not mean, however, the agricultural community will not try again.  And, when they do, the agriculture community and the General Assembly have been put on notice that HOM will oppose them then too.

KOOA

Department of Natural Resources

Committee Narrative

WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE SERVICE

K00A03.01 Wildlife and Heritage Service

Montgomery County Enhanced Deer Management Strategy: The budget committees are concerned that Montgomery County is experiencing uncontrollable deer population growth and that existing methods of lawfully mitigating the detrimental impact of this growth have proven ineffective. Therefore, the budget committees request that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with and approval by Montgomery County officials, develop an enhanced deer management strategy to reduce the Montgomery County deer population by a measurable amount. The report shall be submitted by November 1, 2021. 

Approved Study of Maryland’s Coyote Population:  Unlike the 2020 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, the 2021 General Assembly approved legislation banning organized killing contests for prizes or monetary awards, aka coyotes, foxes, and raccoons.   The rationale for this bill – per the animal rights groups – was akin to the prohibition on killing cownose rays for prizes and monetary awards enacted by the 2019 General Assembly.  They called these contests “barbaric”.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0293e.pdf

Realizing the court of public opinion clearly opposes the practice of killing animals for prizes/monetary awards – which HOM truly understands and appreciates as evidenced by our opposition to the killing of deer for remuneration purposes  – the fact Maryland has a coyote population problem requires a different kind of strategy.  And, this strategy was supported via the adoption of budget language – not unlike that shown below re the Montgomery County enhanced deer management strategy – which reads as follows:

KOOA

Department of Natural Resources

Committee Narrative

WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE SERVICE

K00A03.01 Wildlife and Heritage Service

Impact Assessment Study of Maryland’s Coyote Population: The budget committees are concerned that the coyote has fully colonized Maryland and that the coyote population is threatening both domestic and wild animals as well as public health, safety, and welfare. Therefore, the budget committees request that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in cooperation with stakeholder groups, conduct an impact assessment study of Maryland’s coyote population and report on the findings. The study shall include the following: an assessment of the coyote population statewide in terms of range and subspecies, including fertile hybrids; a determination of the socioeconomic impact of unchecked growth in the coyote population; and identification of strategies and policies to control coyote population growth and mitigate attendant ecological impacts. The report shall be submitted by December 1, 2021. 

Annual Report to the Comptroller re Income Tax Credits Claimed for Processing Costs re Deer Harvested and Donated to the Needy/Mandated DNR Report on Chronic Wasting Disease:  This bill requires a venison donation program to report annually to the Comptroller by January 31 of each year the name, address, and number of deer donated by individuals in the preceding tax year. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2021, on the testing of deer brought to deer processors for chronic wasting disease. The bill takes effect July 1, 2021, and applies to tax year 2021 and beyond.

NOTE:  Until 2023, hunters who harvest deer and donate to bona fide charitable organizations – aka, Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry – are eligible for $50 per deer, not to exceed 4 deer capping at $200 for the taxable year, to offset the costs for processing pursuant to legislation enacted in 2018.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb1017T.pdf

Failure to Secure Passage of Restricted Harvesting of Resident Canada Geese:  This emergency bill would have required that during the migratory Canada goose (Atlantic population) hunting season, the bag limit for all Canada geese harvested in Maryland, including geese found in the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Hunt Zone and the Atlantic Population Hunt Zone, must conform to the bag limit set for Atlantic population Canada geese that is adopted annually by the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  The intent of the proposed Act was to safeguard against the inadvertent harvesting of migratory birds (“AP” Atlantic Population of Canada Geese) mingled with resident birds.  This was viewed as a conservation measure intended to help return AP breeding pairs to their Canadian breeding grounds in view of the depressed AP season of what will be 3 consecutive seasons of 1 bird for 30 days in 2021/2022…in contrast to a daily bag limit of 5 resident geese during a 3-way split season encompassing parts of September, November and December through March.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/sb/sb0899F.pdf

IN CLOSING, it is important to note the 2021 Session was dominated by social justice and climate related issues.  It is truly a borderline miracle anything else passed at all.  Suffice to say the Hunters of Maryland were successful beyond measure.  Securing one’s legal right to fish and hunt in Maryland – deepest of blue states – coupled with stopping commercialization of venison through protecting hunting opportunities and studying deer/coyote impact issues are achievements not envisioned by many within Maryland’s hunting community.  The Hunters of Maryland take pride in having helped lead approval of pro-hunting issues and defeat of anti-hunting issues, respectively.  And it took daily vigilance by HOM every day for the 90-day period starting on January 13, 2021 through April 12, 2021.

A final note about local Sunday hunting issues.  There were several local Sunday hunting bills – bills, except one, that would have expanded upon existing Sunday hunting opportunities in certain counties – that passed the House but failed in the Senate.  The one exception was the Prince George’s Sunday hunting bill (shown below) which also passed the House but failed in the Senate.  Enactment would have allowed Sunday hunting there for the first time since 1783 – Prince George’s, Baltimore and Howard counties are the only 3 remaining counties in Maryland which still prohibit Sunday hunting of any kind.

Since 2003, all local Sunday hunting bills have been introduced by and supported by the respective jurisdictions having secured local input and approval via their local governing bodies over a 9-month period.  The single, most visible opponent to these expanded local Sunday hunting bills is the equine community.  Looking forward the Hunters of Maryland believe that – despite the 2021 Session was borderline hostile on so many fronts, including hunting – those local Sunday bills having failed this Session will secure enactment in the future, starting with the 2022 General Assembly.  And, the Hunters of Maryland will intervene to the extent so requested by the sponsors of future local Sunday hunting bills.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0615T.pdf

HOM INVITES YOU TO DOWNLOAD AND READ THE FOLLOWING PDFS

Listen Live to HOM’s Account of Hunting-related Legislation Passed by the 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly

On Saturday, April 17th, Hunters of Maryland Founder, Steve Keithley, and HOM Advocate, Bill Miles, will join hosts Allan and Robynn Ellis on the Outdoorsman Radio Show. The show is broadcast live from 5AM to 7AM on WCBM 680 AM. You can listen and join the conversation from anywhere with the WCBM app. Call in with your comments and questions to 410-922-6680. www.ellisoutdoors.com

The WCBM 680 App can be downloaded to your mobile devise to listen from anywhere.

THE MARYLAND BOWHUNTERS SOCIETY JOINS HOM

Good news for Maryland’s hunting community…

The voice of Maryland’s hunting community has grown more influential with the recent decision by the Maryland Bowhunters Society (MBS) to join the Hunters of Maryland (HOM).  Representatives from both groups met and conferred about hunting-related issues of mutual interest and found no consequential differences.  A resultant pledge was made to stand together on the policy-front in Annapolis so the heritage and legacy of hunting in Maryland continues for future generations.   One need only realize that less than 10% of Maryland’s 188 State lawmakers hunt…think of the unimaginable, detrimental outcomes absent this unified voice?

Evidence of the partnership’s value was made clear by MBS upon its official announcement of having joined HOM:

“Although the halls of Annapolis look a bit different since the pandemic, the political world never rests.  Things are constantly happening that could potentially affect the existing rights of outdoorsmen and our future freedoms.  It is daunting for the average person to look at the bills that are presented and the laws set before us and truly understand their impact and meaning.  As with all things in life, when we aren’t sure how to handle something, we should seek advice from those who do.   The Hunters of Maryland is a group that has stepped up to meet a major need in our state -- representation for the outdoors community in Annapolis.”

Of particular interest to MBS and HOM is the expansion of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP).  MBS led the charge to bring NASP to Maryland in 2005.  Since then, MBS has donated over $50,000 to schools across Maryland having introduced recreational archery to thousands of school children.  Envisioned will be a joint outreach effort to convince all local school Superintendents to adopt the NASP system within their respective school systems.  And, HOM will work with MBS, local governments and the General Assembly in securing legislative approval to reduce the existing 150-yard safety zone for archery hunting to 50 yards, aka 8 counties to date have secured the 50-yard safety zone.  

To learn more about the Maryland Bowhunters Society, check them out via the link shown below.

http://www.marylandbowhunterssociety.org/

In closing its official announcement, MBS stated the following to its Members:

“We are grateful that a few hunters realized the serious need for representation and have done everything in their power to make it happen.  The groundwork has been laid out but now all of us must work together.  Constant vigilance is required in order to not only preserve but further our hunting rights in the State; and, to ensure that for the present, and the future, MBS and all outdoorsmen and women across the State have a voice in Annapolis.”

Legislative Update re Hunting Legislation Pending Consideration by the 2021 General Assembly

Here’s how a normal 90-day Regular Session works in Annapolis: the first 30 days sees everyone back slapping each other as they reunite after a 9-month hiatus, aka Hail Fellow Well Met; the next 30 days focuses on input from the public via all-day long public hearings; and the final 30 days is decision-making time when competing tempers clash. Try getting to a lawmaker during that final 30-day stretch…good luck. It is like they go underground b/c the demands on their time are incredibly burdensome. Truly, burdensome.

The 90-day, 2020 Session was cut short by 19 days because of the pandemic. Witnessing the rush to move legislation before an early adjournment back then was something few have ever witnessed. Bill after bill passed, but so very many more failed. This Session is akin to an eerie undercurrent reminiscence of a looming early adjournment. Things in Annapolis are moving at break-neck speed as of the 2021 Session could adjourn at any time. And, this is not a good thing.

Compound this sense of closure-related urgency with all the requisite virtual interaction between lawmakers and the public – it’s a perfect recipe for policy decision-making with unintended consequences. So, best be on your toes if you’re an advocacy organization during this unprecedented legislative Session. And you can take to the bank, HOM is more than capable to prevail during this turbulence on behalf of Maryland’s hunting community.

Let’s focus on the hunting bills.

This insight is only being shared at this time b/c of the high number of inquiries we are receiving daily. Plain and simple: we’re still not quite there in the decision-making phase, but it’s getting close so this reporting is limited in detail. We were going to hold off on any policy-related announcements until we had some tangible results. Well, there’s only been one such outcome to report thus far…and, it’s a good one.

Legislation was introduced to carve out a portion of the Susquehanna Flats for body booting of waterfowl (House Bill 911). A well-intentioned pro-sportsmen/sportswomen lawmaker – the Honorable Mary Ann Lisanti (District 34A, Harford County) – thought she was equitably balancing the ever-increasing competition for prime waterfowl hunting grounds on the Flats. Negative reaction to her legislation was swift b/c there was an impression some would benefit at the expense of others, aka body booters vs layout/scull boats.

HOM was asked to help mitigate the controversy and so we did.

On February 16, 2021, the good Delegate requested the upcoming hearing be cancelled as she proclaimed the importance for greater stakeholder before proceeding with her legislation. She penned a letter stating same (attached). This was a victory for Maryland’s waterfowl hunting community b/c envisioned will be an outcome favorable to all without metering selective access by State law.

A brief accounting of other legislation, as we view it today, is noted below. Expect a detailed accounting after adjournment. The 2021 General Assembly is scheduled for adjournment, aka Sine Die, on April 12, 2021; but, we’re not sure if it’ll go that long. And, b/c of this uncertainty, HOM is working overtime to get the good bills passed and the bad ones defeated which is a seemingly 24/7 endeavor.

Here we go in no particular order of sequential priority --

Restricted Access to Firearms by Minors: HOM has ensured that, if the bill is enacted, minors will still be able to hunt with a firearm.

NICS Background Check for Ammo Purchasing: Can you imagine having to submit to a criminal background check every time bought a box of shotgun shells or rifle slugs? That statutory proposal is on the legislative table.

Commercialization of Venison: The Maryland Farm Bureau has been pushing this narrative for at least the last 6 years. They have declared war on deer. In 2015, they tried to get legislation passed to commercialize the sale of a publicly-owned resource – deer – and Maryland’s hunting community protested. The bill failed. Well, they are back again in 2021. The reasons for this bill not passing are self-evident to any true conservation-minded sportsman/sportswoman.

Restriction on Harvesting Resident Geese: Most waterfowlers know COVID prevented the annual spring survey on the Ungava Peninsula (breeding grounds for the Atlantic Population of Canada Geese, aka “AP”). So, data is not readily available with respect to overall population, number of breeding pairs and gosling hatches – data deemed critical to scientific wildlife management. For this reason, et al, Maryland has had back-to-back 30-day AP seasons with a 1-bird daily bag limit. And, for the 2021/2022 season, expect the same.

In Maryland there are 3 Resident Canada Goose hunting seasons: parts of September, parts of November and parts of December through March. The Shore only has the September early season for residents, but the other two resident seasons are west of Route 301 on the Western Shore. State biologists will tell you they are confident – not really sure how that can be true – those birds taken during the latter two resident seasons are not AP geese b/c of retrieved banding data analysis. Assuming they are largely correct, is it not also possible there are some migratory Canada geese being taken during the November and December/March seasons? Consequently, legislation has been introduced – courtesy of the Honorable Jack Bailey (District 29, Calvert & St. Mary’s counties) – to restrict the number of harvested resident birds during the December/March season to only 1 bird, instead of 5 birds each day, during the 30-day, 1 bird AP season. This is a commendable conservation-minded measure.

Right to Fish and Hunt: About 20 some states have passed Constitutional Amendments guaranteeing their citizenry a constitutional right to fish and hunt. In Maryland, do not expect the passage of such an amendment to its Constitution b/c of a dominant urban mindset. Instead, however, legislation is pending that would recognize the right to fish and hunt in Maryland by statute, aka legal recognition of such rights. This would send a positive message to the estimated 455,000 anglers/hunters in Maryland who spend close to $1 billion annually – the same individuals who underwrite nearly 100% of all fisheries/wildlife management, aka American System of Conservation Funding.

Sunday Hunting: Like every Session, there are numerous local bills introduced to expand Sunday hunting within their particular jurisdiction. We are not talking about waterfowl Sunday hunting. We are talking about deer and other small game mammals. Steadfast opposition stems from the equine community. Never pretty. Sometimes the county wins and sometimes the equine community wins.

What can be said is the ways and means by which some counties have come to approach Sunday hunting within their jurisdiction – again, we are not talking about waterfowl Sunday hunting. There are two schools of thought: one is to let DNR set by regulation the next season’s Sunday hunting days; while the other is to guarantee by statute certain Sunday hunting days. The former delegates complete discretionary authority to the bureaucracy while the latter guarantees those days of Sunday hunting by law. It’s up to local governments based upon input from their citizenry.

2A Bills: Every Session, gun control advocates bombard the General Assembly with proposals to restrict ownership and use of firearms. The 2021 Session is no different. Space constraints preclude any meaningful account of these bills and their outcomes.

That’s about it for now. Upon adjournment, we’ll have one heck of a story to share with Maryland’s hunting community.

USER CONFLICTS ON THE SUSQUEHANNA FLATS

The Hunters of Maryland are glad to report that a very contentious public hearing on House Bill 911 (Waterfowl Hunting – Susquehanna Flats) has been cancelled in order for all impacted stakeholder groups to reconcile their differences outside the court of public opinion, aka public hearing scheduled for February 19, 2021 before the House Environment & Transportation Committee.

FIELD AND STREAM MAGAZINE rated waterfowl hunting on the Susquehanna Flats in November 2019 as the #1 coolest place to waterfowl hunt in America.

https://www.fieldandstream.com/story/hunting/coolest-waterfowl-hunts-in-america/

And guess what happens when die-hard waterfowlers aggregate to a particular area to hunt?  That’s right, aka user conflicts may result.  And, the Flats have not been spared as evidenced by the introduction of House Bill 911 for consideration by the 2021 Maryland General Assembly.  The bill would not allow waterfowl hunting “from a boat that is drifting or being sculled in areas designated for hunting waterfowl while standing in water on the natural bottom…”  In short, body booters would have their own DNR-designated areas to hunt on the Flats b/c they need areas that average 3 foot or less.

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2021RS/bills/hb/hb0911F.pdf

The Hunters of Maryland (“HOM”) were asked to help mitigate the dilemma before House Bill 911 was scheduled for a public hearing on February 19, 2021.  HOM helped coordinate a discussion amongst the various impacted stakeholder groups a week before the hearing.  When the dust settled, the well-intentioned sponsor – the Honorable Mary Anne Lisanti – agreed to ask the House Environment & Transportation Committee to cancel the hearing with an understanding it would not be rescheduled during the 2021 Session.  

Clearly, this was the right decision and afforded all parties sufficient time to reconcile their differences outside the legislative hearing process, aka court of public opinion.  HOM was grateful to have helped facilitate a cooling off period without having engaged in a contentious public hearing.  Our ranks are too few and it is imperative we all work together to resolve our differences from within.  

A LAST MINUTE FIRST

Right when you think it will never happen…

A founding Member of the Hunters of Maryland (“HOM”) downed her “first-ever” AP Canada goose on Thursday, January 28, 2021.  And that would be a young lady named Beth Hill.  Why so notable?  Because we have tried to get her that AP goose for 2 seasons  now…waiting for that perfect solo shot. Closure came within 5 minutes of quitting time and less than 48 hours before season’s end...a last minute first.

We were about to pack up when out of nowhere comes a single.  Silence blanketed the pit.  Whispers and hand gestures guided Beth as she positioned herself.  “Now Beth” came the word.  She jumped up and unloaded.  That bird dropped dead about 40 yards away.

The thrill of anticipation on someone’s face about to drop his/her “first-ever” bird can only be exceeded by their look of achievement. Even us old timers, who have bagged a lifetime of birds, never tire of that “get ready” cry of anticipation, especially knowing it is about to be a first-ever for someone else.  The experience lasts forever.  It is why we hunt.

Those of us who witnessed Beth’s fait accompli burst into cheer and celebratory high-fives.  What a shot!  Finally!!  And guess what?  While were hooping and hollering like schoolboys, Beth stood there frozen in time what seemed to be an eternity.  When it finally kicked-in her long-awaited moment had finally arrived, she was right there with us as we loudly proclaimed the “best shot of the season”.

Closure here is 2-fold:  First was her shot and then what must happen next.  After we packed up the rig, Beth asked if someone could teach her on how to breast a goose.  There was more than one volunteer.  Oh no she proclaimed, she herself would clean the bird.  And that is exactly what she did.  Remember too, it is dark outside with a windchill factor of 19 degrees.  Completion of her task bordered on perfection.

Having been given a recipe from one of her fellows, she committed to preparing them for dinner, two days hence.  

Cudos to Wayne – pictured there with Beth -- who not only gave her the recipe and initially guided her in hand in breasting the bird, it was Wayne who also coached her as the single approached.  Beth and Wayne will surely be friends forever…that’s an often overlooked dividend of being afield with like-minded souls.

When that moment finally came for Beth, she delivered.  

Congratulations Beth, welcome to the wonderful world of waterfowling.