Published: February 15, 2008 10:21 pm         

Fight for some; fight off others It’s time for furry and fishy legislation in Annapolis

It is that time of year when hunters and anglers, by way of their elected state officials, get to fight for some bills and fight off others, as delegates and agencies attempt to manage fish and wildlife by way of smoke-filled rooms.

Oh. Sorry. Make that smokeless rooms. These are Maryland bills.

Anyway, here are some of the bills that have been introduced in Annapolis and on which you should be keeping an eye.

I am going to list them in what I consider order of importance, but you make up your own mind.

Should you have any comments to make about these bills they should be made to:

• Wendell R. Beitzel, 1-800-492-7122, Ext. 3435; cell phone 301-616-6951; weekends 301-387-6950; wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us

• Kevin Kelly, 1-800-492-7122, Ext. 3404; local phone 301-777-9000; kevin.kelly@house.state.md.us

• LeRoy E. Myers, 1-800-492-7122, Ext. 3321; local phone 301-722-0926; leroy.myers@house.state.md.us

• George Edwards, 1-800-492-7122, Ext. 3565; local phone 301-722-4780; george.edwards@senate.state.md.us

HOUSE BILL 655

Introduced by Delegate Barbara Frush (D-Anne Arundel, Prince Georges), this bill would make it illegal for anyone younger than 13 to purchase a Maryland hunting license. I wrote about this in detail a week ago. See that column at www.times-news.com (click on columns and click on me). First reading in Environmental Matters Committee was Feb. 1. A hearing by that committee is set for 1 p.m. on Feb. 27.

HOUSE BILL 657

Also introduced by Frush, as it is annually, this bill would bring an end to Maryland’s bear hunt.

The first reading in the Environmental Matters Committee took place Feb. 1. A hearing is scheduled at 1 p.m. Feb. 27.

HOUSE BILL 762

Introduced by Delegate Beitzel, this bill resembles the one that used to be introduced by former Delegate George Edwards, now a state senator. In essence, it says that if the bear season is stopped, then bears must be introduced into all Maryland counties by 2015.

As I’ve written before, there will be no shortage of pickup trucks available here in Almost Maryland to help the Department of Natural Resources move bears to places such as Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties.

Beitzel calls his bill “Share the bear.”

“Under my legislation, DNR can distribute the bears throughout the rest of the state so that everyone can experience the joys of living with bears,” Beitzel said.

HOUSE BILL 840

Please pay attention to this one. This is near and dear, or maybe I should say near and deer, to my heart.

Delegate Myers has introduced a bill that would make bowhunting for deer legal on four additional Sundays, but only in Washington County. Although the bill is co-sponsored by Delegates Beitzel and Kelly, Allegany and Garrett counties are not included. THEY SHOULD BE.

Currently, it is legal to bowhunt on the first Sunday in November on private lands in Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. HB 840 would add, in Washington County only, the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November for bowhunters.

In my opinion, this is an absolutely wonderful thing for Washington County hunters and our three delegates covering Allegany and Garrett counties should include us in the bill.

I have written to all three telling them so. Thus far, I have heard back only from Beitzel, who said he would consider adding Garrett , but probably not until a year from now at the 2009 General Assembly.

I understand Beitzel’s inclination to move forward slowly, bringing various parties into the discussion. Still, I hate to see this opportunity pass us by here in the two westernmost counties. The existence of a bill that would increase Sunday hunting in our sister county seems like the perfect vehicle for us to climb aboard and nestle into the backseat so that we can go along for the ride. Let’s get it done now. Include Garrett and Allegany in an already existing bill, that being HB 840.

HB 840 would bring Washington County in line with Dorchester, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, which already have five Sundays open to bowhunting on private land.

Note to my fellow bowhunters: Get on the phone and the e-mail (see contact info above) and let’s get these Sundays opened up in Garrett and Allegany counties.

Please. Pretty please. With sugar on it.

The first reading was Feb. 6. No hearing is yet scheduled.

HOUSE BILL 229

This is an interesting one.

The Fisheries Service of the Department of Natural Resources requested this bill and it was introduced on the agency’s behalf by the chairman of the Environmental Matters Committee.

Right now, as you read this column, it is perfectly legal for a Maryland resident who has a nonresident West Virginia fishing license, but does not have a resident Maryland fishing license, to angle in the Potomac River and the North Branch of the Potomac River.

House Bill 229 would change that, requiring the Maryland resident to have a resident fishing license to angle in those border rivers.

Here is why I don’t understand the agency’s desire to shut off that avenue of fishing recreation.

When I first wrote about the legalities of this matter, back in May, I spoke with Gina Hunt, an administrator for the fish agency. Hunt wondered why I was so concerned about the situation, saying it could not affect many people.

OK. Let’s say Hunt is correct, that there are not that many Maryland residents who purchase a nonresident West Virginia license, but not a Maryland license, and who want to fish in the Potomac. If that is the case, then why is the agency so concerned about making that endeavor illegal?

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.