Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation Auctions Lifetime Hunting License
September 13, 2010 (Annapolis, MD) - The non-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, affiliate organization of the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, auctioned the first of 20 limited Commemorative Lifetime Hunting Licenses from the Department of Natural Resources for $5,000 at its recent banquet.
On September 11, the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation presented Natural Resources Police (NRP) with a $5,000 check, the proceeds from the sale of the license, at the Sixth Annual Maryland Fishing Challenge Featuring Diamond Jim Finale event at Sandy Point State Park.
Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation Chairman David Sutherland, Vice-Chairman Bill Miles and Senator Astle made the presentation to DNR Secretary John Griffin and NRP Deputy Superintendent Alphonso Hawkins.
“I would like to commend the leadership of Senator Astle and the Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation for realizing the importance enforcing the laws that protect our natural resources,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin.
MLSF donated the $5,000 to the Natural Resources Police for purposes consistent with and responsive to the Conservation Law Enforcement Act of 2010.
“One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these historic licenses are to be dedicated to the Natural Resources Police for enforcement of these laws,” said Bill Miles, Vice-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation. “The Natural Resources Police is an agency in dire need of increased financial support and one for which Maryland sportsmen are more than willing to do their share to support.”
On May 4, 2010, Governor O’Malley signed into law an historic Act – Conservation Law Enforcement Act of 2010 – intended to strengthen enforcement of Maryland’s conservation laws by the Natural Resources Police.
The Act was proposed by Sen. John Astle, Senate Co-Chair of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, and unanimously supported by the sportsmen of Maryland.
One provision of the Act authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue a Commemorative Lifetime Hunting License – authorization terminates for such issuances on December 31, 2011 -- for the singular purpose of raising private sector funds for the Natural Resources Police.