Will Sunday hunting come to Wicomico, Worcester? Carozza bills aim to widen exception
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When Disney's "Bambi" first broke on the scene in 1942, Sunday hunting was illegal in Maryland. It remained that way until two decades ago, when a limited exception got signed into law. Now, a state senator representing the Eastern Shore is looking to expand the exceptions for two of the counties she represents.
Sen. Mary Beth Carozza, R-Wicomico/Worcester/Somerset, backed Senate Bill 796 in a hearing before the Senate’s Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee on Wednesday. The legislation would add Wicomico County to the list of five Maryland counties that are allowed to hunt game, birds and mammals on each Sunday during the open season that runs approximately from September to February for archers, and includes a more limited period for hunters with firearms and muzzleloaders.
At present, Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties already allow for Sunday hunting on public lands, part of the exception that has widened since Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich signed a bill that initially allowed for two Sundays of deer hunting back in 2003.
“We think it’s a matter of fairness,” said Carozza, who served as Ehrlich’s deputy chief of staff, of the bill broadening the exception. The legislation also decreases the archery hunting safety zone from 150 yards from certain structures to 50 yards, bringing it in line with other counties, she said. The bill had three testify in favor.
Virginia Gov. Republican Glenn Youngkin signed legislation last year to allow for Sunday hunting in the Commonwealth.
About two percent of Marylanders have a hunting license
Approximately 125,000 individuals, or 2 percent of Maryland’s population, have a license to hunt in the state, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. With a total population of over six million, Jacquie Cowan, a founding member of Chesapeake Plantation Walking Horse Club, sought to cast herself as a representative for the vox populi.
“I’m speaking on behalf of the 98 percent, the non-hunting population here in Maryland,” said Cowan, the coordinator of a riding club of a Western Shore county. “Where is the fairness to the rest of Maryland, whether it be a trail rider, a hiker, a biker, or just someone who just wants to enjoy the peace and quiet of their own backyard?”
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Carozza emphasized that the bill and a similar measure that she introduced to expand Sunday hunting in Worcester County were local matters. An elected official from each of the two counties testified in support of the legislation.
In a phone interview, Ben Kelkye, president of the Western Maryland Sportsmen’s Coalition, said the ban on Sunday hunting goes back to “blue laws,” where Sunday is a day of Sabbath — a day observed among Christians as a day of rest and worship.
Kelkye, who teaches a hunter safety course, emphasized hunting as tradition and sport as well as game management.
Opposition to hunting expansion comes from equestrians
The main opposition to Carozza’s bills came not from religious groups, but from equestrian organizations.
“We’re just asking for one day out of seven to be able to enjoy (riding) safely,” said Corinne Marie Pouliquen, a member of the Trail Riders of Today group and a trail rider for 30 years.
A Facebook post on the group’s page shows the balance riders aimed to strike in recent years.
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“This is a reminder that deer firearms season is Saturday 11/28-Saturday 12/12,” a 2020 post said. “If you are not hunting, please stay away from Patuxent for the next two weeks.”
“Hunters only have a few weeks a year for hunting seasons. Please give them the space to use the park safely during these times. There is no hunting on Sundays in Patuxent,” said the post, referencing the central Maryland park and its prohibition on Sunday hunting. “Thanks for helping us share the park safely with all users!”
Christy Clagett, of the Maryland Horse Council, testifying against the Worcester County bill, said riders have typically used Sundays to avoid hunters.
“We don’t want to be in their way,” she said. “We are not anti-hunting, we’re just anti-monopolizing Sundays.”
Dwight A. Weingarten is an investigative reporter, covering the Maryland State House and state issues. He can be reached at dweingarten@gannett.com or on Twitter at @DwightWeingart2.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Carozza bills aim to expand Sunday hunting to Wicomico, Worcester
