DNR

by **assateague** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:15 am

Here's what I asked. In light of this, the response was complete nonsense:

I have been a hunter in MD for over 34 years, and there is one thing that has always bothered me, and that I’ve never been able to find an answer for. Why is hunting prohibited on Sundays, but fishing is not? I know some select Sundays have recently been opened to hunting on private land only, but why is fishing any different? Despite many searches, I've never been able to figure out the reasoning behind a Sunday hunting ban, and thought that perhaps as the enforcers of these laws, the DNR would know the rationale for the restrictions. I've found that all laws have some sort of reason behind them, and such an odd law as this one must have a rather unique explanation.

I was just curious, and figured there was a reason somewhere. Finally decided to ask.

Thank you!
Jim

by **Redbeard** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:21 am

assateague wrote:I actually got a response, which says, basically, nothing. "Wed don't set the law, the MD General Assembly does". Yes, I know that. What I was asking was "why". I thought perhaps DNR would know more about the why than I do, but apparently I was wrong. I especially like the line "there is no law against fishing on Sundays, so that's why it's legal." Noshit. Here's the email, for what it's worth, with the names redacted to protect the not-so-knowledgeable:

Greetings, Jim.

Thanks for taking the time to ask DNR about the Sunday hunting laws. I hope I can explain all of this to you successfully, I’ll admit up front that it is a little confusing.

First, Sunday hunting is set by a Maryland law (statute), which is §10-410. Laws are made or changed in Maryland by the General Assembly, not DNR. I have provided a link to learn more about the General Assembly below. As you will see, the General Assembly is made up of the elected Delegates and State Senators from around the state. They meet for 90 days every winter to review new laws or change existing ones. This process is complex and quite formal.

The current law addressing deer hunting on Sundays in Maryland is a result of members of the General Assembly passing legislation to allow hunting in certain counties on certain dates. Although DNR has supported this legislation in the past, we can’t add counties to Sunday hunting, or increase the days of Sunday hunting in a particular county if the General Assembly doesn’t allow it first.

If you wish to add your County to the ones with Sunday hunting, or increase the number of days of Sunday hunting, then I suggest you contact the Delegates and State Senators for your County. The link below for the General Assembly has information on how you can contact your elected officials.

Just for clarification, most hunting seasons, dates and bag limits are set by Maryland regulation. Regulations are much easier to change than laws are. The Wildlife and Heritage Service reviews all the hunting regulations every two years and makes changes as part of an extensive public process where folks like you have an opportunity to comment. Our goal is to have hunting regulations that support the long term conservation of the species involved and fit the needs of as many hunters as possible. However, as noted above, the issue of hunting on Sundays is not a regulation, it is a law, and thus is not in the immediate control of DNR.

I need to add that there is no law or statute prohibiting fishing on Sundays, so it is legal to do so.

For more information on the General Assembly, see: http://mlis.state.md.us/#gena

I hope this helps!

XXXXX X. XXXXXX
Wildlife and Heritage Service
XXXXXXX@dnr.state.md.us

this how I answer my kid's questions. "because I'm dad. That's why"

by **Olly** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:25 am

The only thing that lady did to send that email was hit Menu>Insert>Template>Why_the_fark_can't_I_Hunt_on_Sundays?!? then added Jim's name.

by **Redbeard** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:27 am

Olly wrote:The only thing that lady did to send that email was hit Menu>Insert>Template>Why_the_fark_can't_I_Hunt_on_Sundays?!? then added Jim's name.

you sound like you work for the government

by **Olly** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:29 am

I may have sat my ass on a $10,000 toilet a time or two.

by **assateague** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:49 am

I'm about to pull an Andy Dufresne on them.

by **Olly** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:51 am

assateague wrote:I'm about to pull an Andy Dufresne on them.

How will getting taken advantage of in the shower by the "sisters" going to help you hunt on Sundays?

by **assateague** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 10:56 am

by **goodkarmarising** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:05 pm

I'll start posting pics of hunts from Sunday up for you.

by **Westie25** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:41 pm

goodkarmarising wrote:I'll start posting pics of hunts from Sunday up for you.

I will too. But I'd imagine Jim and I would be killing the same amount.

by **JGUN** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:46 pm

I think we should start a separate thread, shoot maybe even a sub forum just for Sunday hunting photos. :lol:

by **assateague** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:47 pm

All you heathens are going to hell.

by **Olly** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:49 pm

assateague wrote:All you heathens are going to hell.

I bet you can hunt on Sunday's in hell... :lol:

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by **JGUN** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 3:52 pm

I've been to Hell ,MI and yes you can hunt on Sunday's.

by **3legged_lab** » Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:47 pm

assateague wrote:I'm about to pull an Andy Dufresne on them.

Can you petition for changes? Currently we have a petition going to try to change the Oregon law about making lighted nocks legal for hunting. The state somehow thinks a lighted nock (one that does not even activate until after the arrow has started away from the bow) gives hunters an unfair advantage over the game and will possibly aid illegal hunters in night poaching. The petition is worded such that it will aid hunters in making an ethical decision of knowing how long to wait to search for the animal, ie good shot - bad shot wait times.