Date:         Wed, 24 May 2000 14:50:42 -0400
Reply-To:     Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Sender:       Maryland Birds & Birding <MDOSPREY@HOME.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
From:         "Parke H John, Jr." <pjohn@WLGORE.COM>
Subject:      Birder Busted - Cecil County Info.
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Hi Birders,

     The facts: Permits are now required for the C&D Canal Wildlife Manag=
ement
Areas (Bethel, Court House Point, Stemmer's Run, and along the C&D Canal).
There are permits for hunting, fishing, and visitors permits.  To bird wa=
tch you
need a Visitors Permit.  This includes a card for your wallet and a card =
to
display on you vehicle's dashboard.  Visitor's Permits are free. You must=
 call
410-879-4900  Ext. 4550.  I talked to Tina Becker.  You must have your dr=
ivers
license and tag numbers handy, they require some information from them.

     Questions: When I called, I asked, "if we (Cecil Bird Club) had a tr=
ip to
one of these areas, is everyone required to have a permit?"  Tina, after =
a long
pause, said she would have to ask someone in charge.  She called me later=
 and
said that they were looking into a club permit for these types of trips, =
but
were not sure and it would have to be discussed by them.  She promised to=
 get
back to me later.
     I did not think to ask how long the permit was for.  I will ask late=
r,
after I get and read mine.
     No permit is required for the State Forest.
     Fair Hill Natural Resource Area and State Parks require passes. Exce=
pt
Turkey Point (as far as I know!)

     The story:  On Sunday, I was at Court House Point and birded my way =
to the
ponds.  I was set up at the far end of the ponds with my tripod.  Two Nat=
ural
Resource Police pulled up and ask if I had a permit.  When I said no, the=
 driver
told me it was private property and I was trespassing.  He told me that h=
e would
give me a warning and that I could continue for the day, but that the nex=
t time
I needed the permit. Then they wanted to know what birds I had seen and w=
e
discussed the merits of different scopes.  Note: I got a warning only, bu=
t
technically it is a $120 fine.

     My opinion;  Because of vandalism, bikers, four wheelers, littering =
and
alleged dug dealing in these areas, the DNR is trying to control and limi=
t the
usage in these areas, to people using these areas for what they are inten=
ded
for.  Civil liberties aside, it may be a good idea.

     The officers were very polite and amicable to me.

     If you have any questions contact me and I'll try to get them answer=
ed.
Till then, stay tuned.

Parke,

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