Maryland Revising Hunting Regulations.

Attention Maryland Hunters.

Maryland is proposing new hunting regulations for deer,some of them pretty dramatic. At this time,the proposals are basically reducing the buck bag limits by half, one per weapon season, with no "bonus" buck tags available,and going to "unlimited" antlerless deer for the entire region "B", which is most of the State, excepting the three Westernmost counties.

These ideas will soon be presented at a stakeholders meeting,and the final draft proposal will then be released for public comment after that. I for one want to see the bag limits on antlerless deer REDUCED on public lands. I feel that while the State does have an overpopulation,the HUGE bag limits already in place (10) for antlerless deer is having a very negative impact on the quality of hunting on public lands. I have mentioned this to DNR representatives and several parties who will be attending the stakeholders meeting.

I feel it`s high time to go with split bag limits for public and private lands,perhaps 2 antlerless deer on public hunting areas.

If you hunt Maryland,or have interests in hunting public land in Maryland, please watch this thread. I will post back up when the final proposals are drafted,and available for public comment.

Okay, so DNR has issued their new regulation proposals, along with dates and locations for public meetings regarding these changes. You may also leave your comments on the proposals at the link provided.

These changes are pretty significant in some cases regarding the modification of bag limits and in a few other areas.

If you are a Maryland hunter, or have interest in hunting Maryland, I encourage you to get involved, leave polite comments about these changes at the link, and/or attend the public hearings to air your thoughts on the subject.

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Comments/Hunt_Proposal.asp

So, the bunny huggers and animal activists have begun commenting on the proposed changes, opposing the two week extension of archery season, as well as bowhunting in general. I strongly urge ANYONE and EVERYONE with an interest in Maryland Hunting to stop by and support the early opening date proposed, as well as post comments on the other proposals. Comments will be accepted through March 15th.

Marylands new hunting regulations have been submitted to become regulation. There was a bit of a battle about it, but in the end we got a reduction in the buck bag that preserves the opportunity to take a "bonus" antlered deer after two does are taken,for a total of 4 antlered deer 1 per weapon season (bow,blackpowder,and firearms,and one "bonus buck in any season.Antlered deer bag limits were further reduced in the western part of the State, to 3,one per weapon season without a bonus buck option, excepting only 2 antlered deer may be taken on public land. The suggested "branched antler" requirement for sika stags was also eliminated.

You may review the new proposed regulations at this link.

Best of all, even with the organized effort by animal activists to oppose it, our archery season has been extended by a week and will open the first Friday After Labor Day weekend.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Comments/2012-2014_Regulations.asp