Sunday Hunting bill defeated!!!!!

Ellen Paul (epaul@dclink.com)
Wed, 07 Apr 1999 08:15:41 -0400


This great news in from Peggy Brosnan, one of the trail riders who
testified against the Sunday hunting bill:

Hi.  Just wanted to thank all of you that e-mailed Sunday hunting
comments to your
legislators in Annapolis 3-4 weeks ago.  Thank you so much; the many
postal letters, the
dozens who spoke at the hearings, the phone calls, and the e-mails
reminded our
representatives in Annapolis that non-hunters deserve one safe day each
week for the 5.5
month hunting season.  The word from Annapolis today is that the hunting
bill, while it
did pass the House Environmental Affairs Committee in amended fashion,
was defeated by the
Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee.
     This kills the bill for 1999.  We're hoping you'll let us know if
your e-mail address
changes or if you know of addresses (e-mail or postal) for others who
could be counted on
to call, write, or testify next year or whenver it may be necessary
again (send to
Peggy@Radix.net).  State Senator Roy Dyson (Dem.-St. Marys) was most
eloquent in the
Senate Committee, as it was realized that Sunday hunting would not have
an appreciable
effect on deer populations; doe-only hunting was the only effective
(albeit unpopular
amongst most hunters) means cited.  The local economic benefits of the
many hikers, nature
lovers, birders, equestrians, orienteers, bikers, kayakers, canoeists,
youth groups, etc.,
etc. (who can't safely be in public woods or near private woods on
hunting day) was judged
to far outweigh that of the 4% of Marylanders who hunt.
      Senate President Mike Miller (Dem. A.A./Calv./P.G.) wrote to say
that "be assured I
will oppose...any (Sunday hunting) bills.  Your comments regarding the
(negative) impact
of such legislation on the Boy Scout experience are well taken."  The
media made much of
Sunday hunting as an antiquated colonial "blue law" only found in 7
states.  In fact, the
Sunday hunting ban is a safe, practical 21st century law that exists
where it should; in 7
of the nation's most densely populated states.
      Hope to see you in the outdoors soon some Sunday!
Dave Linthicum   Box 1361, N. Beach, MD  20714    Peggy@Radix.net  
(410)257-4979



-- 
Ellen Paul           
Executive Director
The Ornithological Council
Mailto:epaul@dclink.com
Ornithological Council Website:  http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET
"Providing Scientific Information about Birds"