This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------1EBF832B0617BE4D7E7510DA Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 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 *********************************************** 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. --------------1EBF832B0617BE4D7E7510DA Content-Type: text/x-vcard; charset=us-ascii; name="vcard.vcf" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Description: Card for Marcia Watson-Whitmyre Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="vcard.vcf" begin: vcard fn: Marcia Watson-Whitmyre n: Watson-Whitmyre;Marcia org: University of Delaware adr: 234 Hullihen Hall;;University of Delaware;Newark;Delaware;19716;USA email;internet: mww@udel.edu title: Assistant Director for Academic Policies Administration tel;work: 302-831-6656 tel;fax: 302-831-8745 x-mozilla-cpt: ;0 x-mozilla-html: FALSE version: 2.1 end: vcard --------------1EBF832B0617BE4D7E7510DA--