In a little more than two months, probably sometime in March, the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service will conduct public hearings about changes to the hunting regulations that will be in effect from the fall of 2010 through the spring of 2012.
It is not too early for you to start thinking about changes you would like to see. And, quite frankly, if I were you and had an idea about a change to a regulation, I’d get it to them now so they can chew on it a little bit and consider it as an option before coming up with official proposals in March.
I don’t know where to tell you to send it. Try Pete Jayne. He deals with a lot of wildlife things. Cyber him at pjayne@dnr.state.md.us.
Maybe you are a turkey hunter who thinks the fall season of only six days is way too short. Maybe you think wild turkey hunting for either sex birds could also take place for another five days during that week after the rifle deer season ends, but before the late muzzleloader season starts.
Maybe you are a spring turkey hunter who thinks there is no good reason for making you leave the woods at noon instead of allowing you to hunt all day.
Could be that you are a person who has applied religiously for a bear hunting permit, but just can’t get lucky. Maybe you would want the state to triple the number of permits or just shorten the season or the harvest target and let everybody hunt. Kentucky does it.
I have a feeling that the state’s deer managers may manipulate our Region A deer bag limits a little. I’m not sure how and they haven’t shared anything with me. Just a feeling.
In fact, I have a feeling they may actually manipulate Region A, perhaps bringing Washington County into it. An enormous number of deer have been whacked and stacked in Washington County in recent years.
We all have different ideas about how our hunting regulations should be written, but I believe too that we share the common goal of wanting the best for our wildlife resources.
When the public hearings take place this coming spring, I encourage you to attend and participate. There is usually one scheduled in Cumberland.
And, for those of you who remember the movie “The Graduate,” there is this.
Mr. Robinson: “I have one word for you, Benjamin.”
Benjamin: “One word, Mr. Robinson?”
Mr. Robinson: “One word, Benjamin.”
Benjamin: “What is that, Mr. Robinson?”
Mr. Robinson: “Crossbows.”
Benjamin: “Crossbows, Mr. Robinson?”
Mr. Robinson: “Crossbows, Benjamin.”
As we approach the public regulation hearings, keep that word in mind... crossbows.
W.Va. trout
John McCoy, outdoor editor at the Charleston Gazette, recently reported that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has plenty of trout to stock beginning this week, but is a bit concerned that the heavy snows will keep the hatchery trucks from getting to all of the waters.
Bear harvest gender
Of the 68 bears killed during the Maryland season in October, 27 were males and 41 were females.
Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.. His column and the Outdoors page will return to the Cumberland Times-News on Jan. 17.
Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors
Hunt regs up for talk
- 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.
- More Michael A Sawyers - Outdoors Headlines
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