PrintLegislative Sportsmen's Caucus Watchdog for Sportsmen Issues
Annapolis, MD - As the 2008 General Assembly came to a close, Maryland's Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus again turned aside aggressive legislation that could have negatively affected Maryland's half-million hunters and anglers.
Legislation that was withdrawn included HB655, the Minimum Age Hunting License Bill that would have prohibited the Department of Natural Resources from issuing a hunting license to anyone under the age of thirteen. Maryland has no minimum age for obtaining a hunting license as long as the person completes a Hunter Safety Education Course.
The Encoded Ammunition & Tax Bill (HB517) garnered an unfavorable report from the Judiciary Committee and died. This bill called for all ammunition for handguns and several calibers of rifles to be encoded with serial numbers, established a 5-cents per round tax and a State Police database to record purchases.
HB657 which would have prohibited black bears from being hunted in Maryland (this bill has been introduced for the last several sessions) was again blocked. Another bill that that would have prohibited leghold traps for furbearers was prevented from even being introduced.
When asked to comment on the success of any anti-sportsmen legislation, Senator John Astle replied, "Not on our watch." Senator Astle is the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses (NASC) Executive Council President
Not only did the caucus defend the privileges of hunters, they were involved in passing some positive legislation, too. Three counties were added to the growing list of counties that permit limited Sunday deer hunting. Harford (HB1482), Montgomery (HB938) and Washington (HB840) Counties now offer Sunday deer hunting opportunities. As always, hunters are referred to the annual Guide to Hunting & Trapping for specific regulations.
About the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus
Maryland hunters, fishermen and trappers can be secure in the knowledge that the bipartisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus sets aside party politics to protect and advance the sportsmen's agenda when the general assembly is in session.
Maryland's Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus leaders in Annapolis include Senator John Astle, Senator George Edwards, Delegate Richard Weldon and Delegate Sue Kullen.
The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Foundation is modeled after the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) in Washington. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman are David Sutherland and Bill Miles, respectively.
