The bulk of the bear population in Maryland is in Garrett and Allegany counties. Those counties also have a fair number of coyotes. In addition, feral or wild dogs occasionally get in packs and can be very dangerous.
Mountain lions? Who really knows for sure?
I have asked in the past and will ask again now for the elected state officials to work the legislative process or the Department of Natural Resources officials to work the administrative process to make it legal for a bowhunter in Maryland to carry a firearm while hunting.
Other states have.
Other states have recognized that you cannot prejudge a person to be guilty of committing a violation by the mere fact that he or she has a firearm while bowhunting.
It’s a jungle out there. Well, it’s not consistently a jungle out there, but any wildland situation where you are left to rely upon your own wits and abilities has jungle-like potential.
Survival of the fittest and all that. In this case, survival of the one with bigger teeth, sharp claws and superior strength.
Let’s be honest with one another. Surely there are people bowhunting on private lands who always carry firepower in the event that they need it to protect themselves or a companion. Maybe even on public lands.
Is that event likely. No. Is that event possible. Yes.
Just because it is unlikely that a bowhunter will be attacked by a bear doesn’t mean that it should be illegal for that person to prepare for the eventuality. You don’t put windshield wipers on your car only on days when rain is predicted.
If it is true that folks are already toting hoglegs or slinging slug guns over their shoulders while bowhunting and if it is true that people who do such a thing would shoot any bear on sight then where are all the dead bruins that have been whacked?
Left to rot in the woods, you say. Maybe, but most bears that have met some illegal demise are eventually discovered and investigated and there has not been a rash of such activity.
We presume that drivers will use the accelerator pedal within the framework of the law.
We presume that when someone purchases drain cleaner that they will use it on the bathroom sink, not put it in the beef stew.
There is no reason to presume that a person would illegally use a firearm that is carried during a bowhunting trip.
And, if that person is the one who ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time dealing with a bear or bears or with a dog or dogs, the firearm may save life or limb, even if the gun is used merely to startle the animal rather than shoot it.
I would like it to be illegal for bowhunters who bait deer to carry a firearm. By baiting deer you are baiting bears and you are asking for trouble. Maybe you could keep the bears away by putting up signs around the bait site saying, “This corn for deer only.”
Or you can use the method suggested by the Humane Society of the United States, that being to “Stand erect and boldly proclaim ‘bad bear.’ ”
Let me know how that works out.
Contact Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors
Protect archery hunters
- Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors
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Tink was picture- perfect
At the end of our hallway is a room that has served a number of purposes. Originally it was Seth and Ryan's bedroom.
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Stuffing 10 pounds of outdoor news in a 5-pound bag
Pardon me if I use this Sunday to sit back and take a breath.
Wow. -
Mountain State’s backyard backstraps
Homeowners’ associations in West Virginia, especially those in the Eastern Panhandle, are signing on with the Division of Natural Resources for special neighborhood archery hunts for the deer that are eating their ornamental and garden plants.
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Ten miles around the block
Jim and Robin Wiegand, who own and operate the Bassin’ Box in LaVale, have a vision of the upcoming deer season.
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Face spited! Nose gone!
There are pert near 6 million people who live in Maryland.
Each year, about 80,000 who are older than 15, but younger than 65 purchase what is called the Resident Regular Hunting License. -
Reintro of elk just fine by me
OK. I’ve decided. I’m for it.
I’m for the reintroduction of Rocky Mountain elk into Almost Maryland.
I mean it’s not like we’re talking about bringing zebras into Garrett and Allegany counties. -
New regs getting closer in Maryland
The Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service held two public meeting recently to discuss thoughts about hunting regulations for the next two seasons.
At the one in Annapolis on March 6, a little more than a dozen people attended.
But in Hagerstown on March 13, 160 hunters showed up to let their thoughts be known. Great turnout. -
Let’s get ready to gobble!
The thing I hate about Leap Year is that it makes for one more day that you have to wait until spring gobbler season opens.
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Md. DNR says no to handguns
If blue crabs grew to be 120 pounds in two years or maxed out in the 400- to 600-pound range, I guarantee you that the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the General Assembly would collaborate to find a way to protect Marylanders who stick their toes in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Big increase in Md. hunting license price being considered
The Maryland Wildlife & Heritage Service will seek by way of the General Assembly an astounding increase in the cost of hunting licenses. As of Friday morning the bill had not yet been filed.
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