Hunting the Focus for the Maryland House Committee on Environmental Matters

On Friday, February 1, anti-hunting bills House Bill 655 and House Bill 657, sponsored by State Delegate Barbara Frush (D-21) were introduced in the House Committee on Environmental Matters.

HB655 sets minimum age restrictions for those seeking to apply for a hunting license. States with lower minimum hunting ages have a better safety record and retain more hunters than states with a higher minimum age. Setting the minimum age at 13 in Maryland would detract more young people from taking up hunting, take the decision away from parents, and increase the likelihood of accidents involving youth hunters.

HB657 would ban the tradition of black bear hunting in Maryland. Hunting is the best means of maintaining a healthy population of any species. Hunting black bear keeps the population at a level that helps prevent interaction with humans and keeps the population healthy so there is less competition for food and resources. Banning the hunting of black bear in Maryland would have drastic effects on the population and is an outright assault on the hunting traditions of Marylanders.

However, one pro-hunting bill has also been introduced to the House Committee on Environmental Matters.  House Bill 840, sponsored by State Delegate LeRoy E. Myers, Jr. (R-1C). HB840 would authorize specified Sundays in October and November to be open to deer hunting with a bow and arrow in Washington County on private property.  This bill has been introduced to the committee, but no hearing has been set as this time.

HB655 and HB657 have both been assigned to the House Committee on Environmental Matters and are both scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday, February 27 at 1:00 pm.  Please contact the members of the committee and respectfully urge them to protect your hunting heritage in Maryland by opposing HB655 and HB657, and supporting HB840.

House Committee on Environmental Matters

State Delegate Maggie McIntosh (D-43), Chair

(410) 841-3990, (301) 858-3990, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3990 (toll free)
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State Delegate James E. Malone, Jr. (D-12A), Vice Chair

(410) 841-3378, (301) 858-3378, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3378 (toll free)
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State Delegate Saqib Ali (D-39)

(410) 841-3021, (301) 858-3021, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3021 (toll free)
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State Delegate Pamela Beidle (D-32)

(410) 841-3370, (301) 858-3370, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3370 (toll free)
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State Delegate Elizabeth Bobo (D-12B)

(410) 841-3205, (301) 858-3205, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3205 (toll free)
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State Delegate Joseph C. Boteler, III (R-8)

(410) 841-3365, (301) 858-3365, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3365 (toll free)
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State Delegate Rudolph C. Cane (D-37A)

(410) 841-3427, (301) 858-3427, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3427 (toll free)
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State Delegate Alfred C. Carr, Jr. (D-18)

(410) 841-3110, (301) 858-3110, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3110 (toll free)
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State Delegate Virginia P. Clagett (D-30)

(410) 841-3211, (301) 858-3211, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3211 (toll free)
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State Delegate Barbara Frush (D-21)

(410) 841-3114, (301) 858-3114, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3114 (toll free)
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State Delegate Cheryl D. Glenn (D-45)

(410) 841-3257, (301) 858-3257, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3257 (toll free)
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State Delegate Anne Healey (D-22)

(410) 841-3961, (301) 858-3961, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3961 (toll free)
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State Delegate Marvin E. Holmes, Jr. (D-23B)

(410) 841-3310, (301) 858-3310, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3310 (toll free)
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State Delegate Tom Hucker (D-20)

(410) 841-3474, (301) 858-3474, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3474 (toll free)
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State Delegate Stephen W. Lafferty (D-42)

(410) 841-3487, (301) 858-3487, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3487 (toll free)
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State Delegate Doyle L. Niemann (D-47)

(410) 841-3326, (301) 858-3326, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3326 (toll free)
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State Delegate H. Wayne Norman (R-35A)

(410) 841-3284, (301) 858-3284, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3284 (toll free)
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State Delegate Anthony J. O'Donnell (R-29C)

(301) 858-3314, (410) 841-3314, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3314 (toll free)
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State Delegate Tanya T. Shewell (R-5A)

(410) 841-3371, (301) 858-3371, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3371 (toll free)
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State Delegate Richard A. Sossi (R-36)

(410) 841-3543, (301) 858-3543, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3543 (toll free)
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State Delegate Dana M. Stein (D-11)

(410) 841-3527, (301) 858-3527, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3527 (toll free)
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State Delegate Paul S. Stull (R-4A)

(410) 841-3288, (301) 858-3288, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3288 (toll free)
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State Delegate Michael H. Weir, Jr. (D-6)
(410) 841-3328, (301) 858-3328, 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3328 (toll free)
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