Michael A. Sawyers
BOW HUNTER SAFETY
It was good to get a phone call from Bill Wilhelm, president of the Allegany-Garrett Sportsmen’s Association telling me that the group is interested in following up on my column in which I suggested it should be legal for bowhunters to carry firearms so that they can protect themselves from bears if it becomes absolutely necessary.
Wilhelm said AGSA plans to meet with the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service to discuss the matter.
HATE CRIMES
I think crimes against hunters by those who do not believe in hunting should be considered as hate crimes and carry the stiffer penalties that go along with such violations.
If it is a hate crime to injure or kill someone because of their ethnicity or religious beliefs, then it should also apply when hunters are violated for the mere fact that they are taking part in their perfectly legal activity.
IT’S A SHAME
I have suspected for some time that the Maryland Sportsmen’s Association was going under.
Candus Thomson, outdoor columnist for The Baltimore Sun reported a week ago that it has happened.
It’s a shame. I remember attending the first organizational meeting 10 years ago in Montgomery County. That meeting attracted mostly hunters, but also some fishermen, from Crisfield to Friendsville, and was heralded as a landmark effort, which indeed it was.
MSA had successes, especially when testifying on behalf of hunters when anti-hunting legislation was brought before the state’s politicians.
It will now be up to the very capable Maryland Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus and its foundation to protect hunting and fishing during the state’s annual General Assembly.
BEAR HUNT NUMBERS
During the recent Maryland bear season:
• 74 percent of the 68 bears were killed on private land.
• Four of the bears had been previously tagged for nuisance activity.
• There were 240 hunting permits, 552 hunters and 3,608 applicants.
• 60 bears were bagged in Garrett and eight in Allegany County.
• “The hunt was an unqualified success,” said Harry Spiker of the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. “Despite marginal weather conditions most of the week, our harvest range of 60-85 bears was met in four days. The hunt remains a safe, effective, well-regulated and scientifically sound tool for managing our bear population.”
IN A STEW
I made bear stew from my Maryland bruin. It was better than any beef or deer stew I have ever tried, very tender and full of flavor when eaten with garlic bread and red grapes. In preparing for a potentially successful bear hunt, I quizzed many people about the taste of bear and how to prepare the meat. Eight out of 10 said bear meat was excellent and the other two turned thumbs down.
Contact Mike Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
