Sunday Hunting in Maryland

Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Mon, 29 Mar 1999 18:30:59 -0500 

Since this issue first arose and since MOS put together and sent 
out a rather hurriedly-written position statement, I've been receiving 
a small but steady stream of thoughtful, coherent, and courteous 
responses to that position from people who are hunters, birders, 
and conservationists...from people who think we should be 
cautious about how we word some of our objections to Sunday 
hunting.

Probably the most telling criticism is that we, collectively, failed to 
adequately research what turns out to be a somewhat complex set 
of issues.  I'm not going to back off from my personal feelings 
about hunting but I do think that many of the points raised to me by 
people I consider to be responsible conservationists need to be 
considered carefully.

To that end, I am working on a thorough re-wording of the MOS 
position statement regarding hunting on Sundays and will present 
that statement to the MOS Board of Directors for their 
consideration at the June Board Meeting.  Prior to that time I will 
likely be in touch with many of you who have been most active in 
your concern over this issue in order to elicit your continuing input 
and also to share with you some of the materials (at times 
voluminous--you know who you are--grin) I have been sent.

I want to thank everyone for the support that was forthcoming on 
this issue despite the very short notice involved.  Now, hopefully, 
we can all take a deep breath and do the research necessary to 
make an informed and responsible decision regarding the position 
MOS should take on this topic.

In the meantime, I urge each of you to continue to write your 
legislators in Annapolis and make your personal feelings known.  
There is no substitute for active participation in our democratic 
process!

Best,
Norm Saunders



=============

Norm Saunders
  President, MD Ornithological Society
  Editor, The Maryland Yellowthroat
  Listowner, MDOsprey, the Maryland Birding Discussion List
     http://www2.ari.net/osprey/mdosprey/mdosprey.html
  Colesville, MD    osprey@ari.net