Sunday Hunting Proposal

Marcia Watson-Whitmyre (mww@UDel.Edu)
Fri, 26 Feb 1999 14:34:38 -0500


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This morning the local newspaper, the Cecil Whig, carried an
AP article about a proposal currently being considered by
the MD General Assembly to allow hunting on Sundays.
Personally, I am opposed to this, as it would eliminate the
one safe day that we have for birding during the fall and
winter.  The hunters are pushing their economic clout - but
birders have it, too.  If you would like to express your
opinion to your local legislators, you may find contact
information for them (including e-mail for those legislators
who have it) at http://mlis.state.md.us/  The text of the
article is below and note that hearings on the bills are
scheduled for next week.
Marcia Watson-Whitmyre

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Sunday Hunting Ban May Be Shot
Farmers, Christians, Hikers Oppose Proposal

By David Dishneau
Associated Press Writer

Maryland's prohibition on Sunday hunting, a lingering taboo
from colonial times, could fall this year as sporting
groups, tourism advocates and a wealthy Eastern Shore
landowner join forces against the ban.

Many farmers, traditionalists and outdoor enthusiasts oppose
the change but resistance is fading as deer damage to
property rises across much of the state.

"There is so much public support at this point that it has a
better chance than it's ever had," said Michael Slattery,
wildlife division director for the Department of Natural
Resources.

The DNR, recognizing competing demands for recreational use
of public lands, won't take a position on proposed
legislation to lift the ban, Slattery said.

But many others have.

Directors of the Maryland Sportsmen's Association have voted
9-2 in favor of the bills Senate Bill 566 and House Bill
906, that would allow Sunday hunting of deer, turkey, grouse
and squirrels. Fishing, falconry and unarmed fox hunts are
already permitted on Sundays.

Hearings on both bills are scheduled this coming week.

"I think the prospects are pretty good this year," said Sen.
Michael Collins, D-Baltimore County, sponsor of one of the
bills. While the farm bureau is opposed, "I don't think
their opposition is all that vigorous."

Sportsmen's President Larry Albright, an Easton gun shop
owner, said that since other puritanical blue laws against
Sunday shopping and alcohol sales have fallen, so should the
hunting ban. Only a handful of Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern
states outlaw Sunday hunting.

"I'm not telling people to go out and hunt on Sundays,
that's up to the individual," he said. "But if most of the
other states have Sunday hunting, then why should Maryland
not have it?"

Elkton resident Timothy Lambert agreed. 'You can do anything
you want on Sunday, but don't try to hunt," said Lambert,
who is drumming up support at sporting goods shows this
winter.

The Maryland Tourism Council says Sunday hunting would boost
hotel and restaurant revenues.

The measure also has backing from Paul Tudor Jones, a
multimillionaire commodities trader who wants more shooting
opportunities for his weekend guests at Tudor Farms, a
5,500-acre private game preserve near Cambridge.

It is one of about 130 regulated shooting areas in Maryland,
private lands where the state allows Sunday hunting of
pen-raised pheasant, quail and partridge, as well as mallard
ducks released prom towers.

"We'd like to have all we can," said Tudor Farms manager
Edward Soutiere. "We entertain clients every week from
September through the turkey season in May. Without
exception, our guests can only come in on Saturdays and
Sundays."

Opponents of the change including the Maryland division of
the Isaak Walton League and the Washington County Federation
of Sportsmen's Clubs, contend dedicated hunters find time to
hunt.

"Most people have personal days they can take off," said
Paul Wolber of Hagerstown. "I think that with six days out
of the week, we ought to be thankful for what we have."

Maryland Farm Bureau memhers, even those who generally
welcome deer hunters to thin crop-eating herds, don't want
Sunday hunting, spokeswoman Emily Wilson said.

Whey feel they want one day of rest without worrying if Joe
Hunter is out in the field or not," she said.

And devout Christians like Hagerstown's Rick Wilson, an avid
hunter, say Sundays are reserved for worship and family
time.

"We have too many golf widows and fishing widows," he said.
"If we keep breaking up the Sabbath, we're making Sunday
just an ordinary day."

Hikers, mountain bikers and horse riders also treasure the
safety of hunter-free Sundays.

"It's important to keep one day a week that families can
take the dogs and kids out in the woods and not feel like
they're entering a dangerous environment," said Robin
Summerfield of Grantsville, who enjoys his weekend hikes.

Slattery, the DNR wildlife chief, said he hears requests for
Sunday hunting almost daily. If granted the authority, he
said, the DNR would use Sundayhunting as a tool to manage
wildlife populations, not just to increase shooting
opportunities.

Already there are questions about whether the state's wild
turkey population could with stand more hunting pressure, he
said.

"The majority of the argument is pinned on the need to
control deer initially in areas where deer are overly
abundant," Slattery said.


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