The American Beagler Forum

Date Set for Maryland Bear Hunt Hearing- (08/12)
Maryland
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Maryland sportsmen are urged to attend a committee hearing and show support for the state’s first black bear hunting season in over 50 years.

Committee Chairman Sen. Paul Pinsky, D-Prince George’s, has scheduled the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review to hear public comment on August 25 regarding proposed rules for the state’s black bear hunt. Anti-hunting forces will take advantage of the opportunity to oppose the bear hunt in a public forum.

“It is clear that the purpose of the hearing is to bring pressure on the administration to stop the bear hunt,” said Rob Sexton, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs. “It is critical that sportsmen turn out to demonstrate support for the hunt.”

Maryland sportsmen should attend the hearing and support the bear hunt, which, as Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s spokesman Henry Fawell pointed out, is an “appropriate avenue for population control” and is based on “sound science.”

The Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, which reviews all state agency regulations, will convene at 3:30 p.m. in Room 110 of the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis.

Bear seasons are planned for October 25-30 and December 6-11. It is needed to help reduce western Maryland’s skyrocketing black bear population. There has been a recent increase in human-bear conflicts in the state.

Take Action! Maryland sportsmen should attend the August 25 hearing in Annapolis. Those who cannot attend should contact the members of the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review Committee and ask them to approve the bear season without unnecessary hearings or delays. Tell them that the DNR proposal is based upon sound science, not emotional rhetoric.

Committee Members

Paul G. Pinsky, Senate Chair (410) 841-3155, (301) 858-3155
John F. Wood, Jr., House Chair (410) 841-3170, (301) 858-3170

Senators
Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt: D-Upper Marlboro (410) 841-3745, (301) 858-3745
Sen. James Brochin: D-Towson (410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648
Sen. Richard F. Colburn: R-Cambridge (410) 841-3590, (301) 858-3590
Sen. Roy P. Dyson: D-Great Mills (410) 841-3673, (301) 858-3673
Sen. Jennie M. Forehand: D-Rockville (410) 841-3134, (301) 858-3134
Sen. Robert J. Garagiola: D-Annapolis (410) 841-3169, (301) 858-3169
Sen. Lisa A. Gladden: D-Baltimore (410) 841-3697, (301) 858-3697
Sen. John J. Hafer: R-Frostburg (410) 841-3565, (301) 858-3565
Sen. Sandra B. Schrader: R-Ellicott City (410) 841-3572, (301) 858-3572



Delegates

William A. Bronrott: D- Bethesda (410) 841-3019, (301) 858-3019
Anthony G. Brown: D- Lanham (410) 841-3707, (301) 858-3707
Jill P. Carter: D-Baltimore (410) 841-3283, (301) 858-3283
Jean B. Cryor: R-Rockville (410) 841-3090, (301) 858-3090
Barry Glassman: R- Churchville (410) 841-3289, (301) 858-3289
Richard S. Madaleno, Jr: D-Rockville (410) 841-3130, (301) 858-3130
Dan K. Morhaim: D- Owings Mills (410) 841-3342, (301) 858-3342
Shane E. Pendergrass: D- Ellicott City (410) 841-3205, (301) 858-3205
Mary Roe Walkup: R- Worton (410) 841-3449, (301) 858-3449







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it's over as of 6:30pm tonight the AELR voted to NOT support the DNR's bear management regulations, i.e. a bear hunt.

they will send their recommendation of NOT approving of the regulations to the Governor for his consideration.

i can tell you the antis were estatic. they were talking about flooding the Governor with emails, phone calls and maybe even another rally on his front lawn!

for those unable to attend, let me just say that in addition to naming MSA they also took shots at MBS, Allegheny-Garrett Sportsmen, and a couple of other organizations, complements of Dr. Joe Lamp from the Wildlife Advisory Commission.

there were approximately 50 of the antis there about 20 of them spoke. they brought out their big guns, Pacelle, Markarian and Del. Barbra Frush. they even hinted that they would be willing to up their bribe from $75K to $100K!

the only other person to give testimony in favor of the DNR's proposed bear management plan was from one of the national wildlife management organizations.

there were two people there from our side.

A legislative committee has voted to oppose Maryland’s black bear hunt following a public hearing. Sportsmen now await a final decision from Gov. Robert Ehrlich as to whether the hunt will go on as planned.



The Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review yesterday heard public comment on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposal for the state’s first black bear hunt in over 50 years. The committee opposed the hunt proposal by a vote of 12-7, but its decision was not binding. Gov. Ehrlich has the final decision on allowing the hunt to proceed.



According to the Baltimore Sun, Ehrlich’s communications director Paul Schurick said the governor will ignore the vote and rely on science to make his decision.



“The governor is going to allow DNR to move ahead with their plans,” said Schurick. “The governor asked the scientists at DNR for a recommendation, and the science has not changed.”



The bear hunt is scheduled for October 25-30 and December 6-11. It is needed to help reduce western Maryland’s skyrocketing black bear population. There has been a recent increase in human-bear conflicts in the state.



Take Action! Maryland sportsmen should contact Gov. Robert Ehrlich and ask that he continue to support the state’s black bear hunt. Remind him that the DNR’s proposal is based on sound science and is not clouded by anti-hunters’ emotional rhetoric. To contact Gov. Ehrlich, call (410) 974-3901 or toll free (800) 811-8336. Fax (410) 974.3275. Write to: Office of the Governor, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., State House, Annapolis, MD 21401-1925.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Doug Jeanneret (614) 888-4868 ext. 212

September 8, 2004 Beth Ruth (614) 888-4868 ext. 214



Governor Gives Maryland Bear Hunt the Go Ahead



(Annapolis) – Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich has approved a plan to allow the state’s first black bear hunt in 50 years. The decision represents a huge victory for scientific wildlife management and the sportsmen who are committed to wildlife conservation.



On September 7, Gov. Ehrlich authorized the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to proceed with plans for the state’s first modern day black bear hunt. The Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review voted 12-7 last month to stop the hunt, but its decision was not binding. Ehrlich overrode the committee’s objections and rejected its request.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation sent a letter thanking the governor for his leadership in the face of opposition to the hunt.



“We applaud Governor Ehrlich’s efforts to encourage sound wildlife management and provide opportunities for hunters to participate in such sound management practices,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance President Bud Pidgeon. “Despite the legislative committee’s opposition to the hunt, it remains a proper and necessary population management tool for black bears.”



The bear hunt is scheduled for October 25-30 and December 6-11. It is needed to help reduce western Maryland’s skyrocketing black bear population. There has been a recent increase in human-bear conflicts in the state.



“We’re dealing with a bear population in Maryland that has grown 127 percent in a 10-year period,” said Paul Peditto director of the DNR's Wildlife Heritage Service. He calls the hunt “a highly regulated, structured management strategy” that is “consistent with the decisions of a citizen advisory task force.”



Anti-hunting forces are already threatening to stop the hunt in court. If the anti’s take that step, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund will lead the fight to protect the hunt.



The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, http://www.ussportsmen.org.