Update (11/24/20): After work group sessions earlier this year (in which MCA was included) , the recommendations of the work group have been released. Thanks again to all that took action to help find a balanced way to handle deer in the Ag Reserve.
Read on for the history of this deer management proposal which included the use of high powered rifles in Montgomery County.
Read on for the history of this deer management proposal which included the use of high powered rifles in Montgomery County.
Jan 2020 Update: Delegate Luedtke has suggested 2 amendments to this bill (not yet posted). Without the text of these amendments we can only say that one limits the days rifles can be used and the other changes the kinds of cartridges that can be fired. The bill still allows high powered rifles in Montgomery County and provides no training. As the testimony of a trained markswoman and 21 year employee of the NRA says about these amendments - rifles are still simply inappropriate for Montgomery County. There needs to be a task force of stakeholders discussing how to balance crop damage with public safety.
Two minutes are all it takes to share your concerns with our leaders in Annapolis.
Two minutes are all it takes to share your concerns with our leaders in Annapolis.
After hearing concerns from many of our members and conducting research, our position was released on State legislation introduced by MC Delegate Eric Luedtke that would open the Reserve to deer culling with rifles (hunting with bow, shot gun and black powder is currently allowed):
The graphic above shows the distance rifle shot can travel.
What parts of the county does this proposed law impact? Click to see the map here. (Ag Reserve Lands are in light green)
MCA POSITION ON DEER MANAGEMENT
IN AGRICULTURAL RESERVE
MCA is aware of the significant crop damage by deer in the Agricultural Reserve (Reserve) and supports our farmers in the need to cull the deer herds. However, we are concerned about the safety implications for various stakeholders (diversified producers, equestrians, cyclists, tourists, hikers, rural residents, anglers, hunters, birders etc.) by allowing rifle hunting 365 days a year with Deer Management Permits in the Reserve. We would ask what other possible solutions have been considered. An option would be to employ teams of trained sharpshooters to hunt in designated areas at limited, designated times, as is done successfully now in the Montgomery County parks. Another approach would be to encourage natural systems where predators such as coyotes would help reduce the deer population.
We cannot support the rifle hunting legislation as written.
Read excellent testimony from a markswoman and former 21 year employee of the NRA - "Allowing High Power Rifles in Montgomery County is Irresponsible"
IN AGRICULTURAL RESERVE
MCA is aware of the significant crop damage by deer in the Agricultural Reserve (Reserve) and supports our farmers in the need to cull the deer herds. However, we are concerned about the safety implications for various stakeholders (diversified producers, equestrians, cyclists, tourists, hikers, rural residents, anglers, hunters, birders etc.) by allowing rifle hunting 365 days a year with Deer Management Permits in the Reserve. We would ask what other possible solutions have been considered. An option would be to employ teams of trained sharpshooters to hunt in designated areas at limited, designated times, as is done successfully now in the Montgomery County parks. Another approach would be to encourage natural systems where predators such as coyotes would help reduce the deer population.
We cannot support the rifle hunting legislation as written.
Read excellent testimony from a markswoman and former 21 year employee of the NRA - "Allowing High Power Rifles in Montgomery County is Irresponsible"
