Your Action Needed — Say “NO” to Sunday Hunting
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JANUARY 26, 2011 — We heard you loud and clear: You don’t want to share private horse trails with hunters on Sundays (85% of voters in our recent survey said they oppose Senate Bill 45). Therefore, EPIC will oppose the bill at today’s hearing. President David Tobin will submit testimony on behalf of EPIC members. You can read the content of the testimony below.
TAKE ACTION
This hearing is only the beginning. Your state senator is a critical vote on the committee that will be considering this bill. Please make a brief, polite phone call to your state senator and express your opposition to Sunday hunting in Maryland. Click here to find your state senator’s phone number. You can simply say, “I am a constituent and I oppose efforts to expand hunting on Sundays in Maryland.”
After making your phone calls (please do not skip that crucial step!), send a follow-up message to your state legislators. Elected officials receive a lot of e-mail, so be sure to edit your message so it stands out. You can send your own message by filling out this helpful form from the Humane Society of the United States or using it as the basis for your own letter.
We need YOUR voice to keep Maryland’s riding trails safe. Thanks for your help!
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Testimony in Opposition to S.B. 45
Presented to the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
January 26, 2011
By David Tobin, President and Treasurer
Equestrian Partners in Conservation
Montgomery County, Maryland
On behalf of Equestrian Partners in Conservation, a Montgomery County-wide association of equestrians, I urge you to oppose the inclusion of Montgomery County in S.B. 45. This bill is another attempt at legislation that has failed in previous years. It would significantly increase the number of Sundays during which hunting is allowed in Montgomery County and would significantly impact the safety of equestrian recreation.
The Montgomery County equestrian community includes horse owners and riders, businesses serving equines (feed, vet, tack, training, boarding, etc.) and the horse industry (breeding, racing, etc.), which altogether occupy a significant place in the County’s social and economic landscape. More than 4,000 Montgomery County residents are involved in equestrian activities. Montgomery County is home to more than 15,000 horses, the second largest county horse population after Baltimore County, in a state with an estimated horse population of 87,000. Sixty percent of Maryland’s horses are for recreational purposes. There are more than 20,000 properties or facilities devoted to horses in Maryland. Montgomery County is home to the largest number of “equine places†(2,600) — more than any other county in Maryland. Of all of the horse facilities that offer access to trail riding, an astonishing 94% report using private lands for trails or access to public lands.
The current laws are intended to balance the interests of hunters and other recreationists, but expanding Sunday hunting will lead to more conflicts between property owners and equestrians. Hunting is already allowed six days per week and many Sundays as well. Drastically expanding Sunday hunting would take away the day dedicated to non-hunting recreationists. It seems only fair that given their overwhelming majority of the state’s population, equestrians, hikers, and other nature lovers deserve one day per week to enjoy Maryland’s rich natural resources in relative quiet without fear for their safety.
There is no compelling reason to appease a tiny minority of Montgomery County residents by expanding Sunday hunting, and I strongly urge the committee to oppose the inclusion of Montgomery County in Senate Bill 45. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sunday Hunting in Maryland–Yes or No?
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Bill SP45 (click bill name to view) was just introduced into the Maryland State Legislature. If passed, this bill would allow Sunday hunting on private property in Montgomery County from October through January. Please complete this simple poll to let us know YOUR view.
There will be a hearing January 26, 2011. We encourage you to convey your view to the Montgomery County delegation: www.mdarchives.us/msa/mdmanual/07leg/html/gacomo.html. (Find your legislative district HERE.)
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