Annapolis, Maryland — On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, the Maryland General Assembly convened for its annual 90-day legislative Session. One can never be certain about the end game in Annapolis unless you’re present to influence the outcome. And issues impacting hunting are seemingly always controversial in the urban-minded dominated General Assembly. That’s why the Maryland Hunting Coalition stands as the last line of defense for hunter’s interests in Annapolis along with the Maryland Sportsmen’s Caucus.

Sometimes we know what is coming in the form of proposed legislation, often we do not. It’s very easy to be blind-sided by competing interests, meaning allies can sometimes turn to adversaries and vice versa. It’s a strange place where strange things happen. But, it’s also fascinating and the only place to be for 90-days. All roads lead to Annapolis. It’s where laws are made, good or bad. But one needs presence to win.

We’re asked every day: “What’s on the legislative agenda for hunters this Session?” Again, sometimes we have an answer and sometimes we do not. Session just started 3 days ago, so here’s what we do know in terms of promising opportunities and possible challenges.

Venison Tax Credit: House Bill 7 would authorize a $50 tax credit for every antlerless deer donated for the hungry with a total cap of $200, meaning 4 deer donated. If you’re a landowner with a DNR-issued Deer Management Permit (DMP), there is no limit on the number of antlerless deer that can be donated and no attendant monetary cap. The DMP provision will drive the costs upwards so it’s uncertain how the General Assembly will react. The hearing is scheduled for January 17 @ 1 pm before the House Ways & Means.

Maryland Farm Bureau Policy for 2018: Every December the Maryland Farm Bureau meets in Ocean City to develop its policy priorities for the upcoming year. For 2018, the Farm Bureau has advanced several proposals that are of serious concern to Maryland hunters which fall into 3 separate categories: (1) DEER; (2) DEER CROP DAMAGE; and (3) HUNTING METHODS, SEASONS AND LICENSES. Here is the link to the Report: http://mdfarmbureau.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/MFBPolicy-2018-Final.pdf

Of notable concern to the hunting community is the Farm Bureau’s proposal to (1) allow the commercial sale of venison from certified processing facilities; (2) allow the practice of spotlighting deer while utilizing DMP’s specifically issued by DNR for nighttime use; (3) regulate deer as a varmint species where local, overpopulated herds persist; (4) remove the limit of deer that can be harvested under a single DMP; and (5) list Sika deer as an invasive species due to extreme crop damage. Many of these proposals can be realized through administrative decision-making by DNR while others would require statutory approval. One need only review the most 2016-2017 DNR Deer Management Report (link below) – coupled with reports from hunters afield – to know the deer numbers are way down. Disease, poaching, liberal bag limits are all variable causal factors. But we remind all the management of wildlife cannot be driven by the pecuniary interests of a select few because wildlife belongs to no one individual, but the entire citizenry.http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/md_annual_deer_report16-17.pdf

IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, the Maryland Hunting Coalition will continue to do its absolute best to safeguard the interests of hunting in Maryland – consistent with §10–212 of the Natural Resources Article and highlighted by its annual Hunter’s Summit in Annapolis – within the court of public opinion.

www.mdhuntingcoalition.org