Maryland Bowhunters Society initiatives and actions have accomplished the following:

  • In 2003 was instrumental in stopping a move to add the crossbow to the bow season instead of having a season of its own.
  • In 2003, initiated its first annual survey on issues and concerns of bowhunters in Maryland to better understand and represent its members desires.
  • In 2002 worked with other outdoor organizations and the Black Bear Task Force to move towards the recommendation to re-open the season on Black Bear in Western Maryland.
  • In 2002 helped defeat changing the bow season by a reduction in January and an increase in early September which would lead to spoiled meat due to the heat in that part of September.
  • In 2001 MBS was appointed as one of the organizations to sit on the Sika Deer Task Force.
  • In 2000 monitored the activities of the Non-Lethal Task Force and gave observations and suggestions to the DNR about their activities. The NLTF was supposed to study the dynamics of human/wildlife conflicts, such as bear problems in Western Maryland and crop and shrubbery damage caused by whitetail deer, and how to handle them. Their focus seemed to be on how to fund new studies on topics which have already been explored extensively, like the use of contraceptives on whitetail deer.
  • In 1996 worked with Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources to eliminate the hunting back-tag.
  • In 1995 established the Maryland Bowhunters Society License Tag, with Dept. of Motor Vehicles.
  • In 1994 started MBS hunter safety instructor teams.
  • In 1993-95 Sponsored Bowfishing contests. Fish taken were donated to the homeless.
  • From 1980 through 1993 had successfully defended our established bow season prior to the modern firearms season.
  • In 1991, established "Sportsmen Against Hunger" Program in Maryland, in co-operation with Safari Club International.
  • In 1991, defeated a proposal in Montgomery County that would have placed bows and arrows on a "dangerous weapons" list prohibiting their use within the urban zone of the county.
  • In 1990, 1991, and 1992, organized pro-hunting "Celebration of Conservation Success" rallies at McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area in Montgomery County to counter harassment by anti-hunters as bowhunters entered the WMA on the opening day of archery deer season.
  • In 1991, enacted a change to the bow stamp fund to allow its use for bowhunter education and constructuon of archery ranges.
  • In 1991, defeated attempt to repeal Maryland's hunter harassment law.
  • In 1990, defeated a proposal that would have ended the separate fund generated by the bow stamp.
  • In 1989, increased deer bag limit through purchase of second deer stamp.
  • In 1988, the enactment of a replacement fee for poachers, in addition to the regular fine for the violation.
  • In 1984, the defeat of a proposal that would have reduced the deer bag limit on the lower eastern shore.
  • The enactment of a bow stamp resulting in an accurate count of bowhunters in Maryland and a special bow stamp fund to improve bowhunting opportunities, in 1984.
  • Defeat of a similar bill in Anne Arundel County in 1983.
  • In 1982, the defeat of a Montgomery County bill that would have restricted residents from practicing with a bow and arrow on their property.
  • The addition of seven days to bow season in 1981.

 

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Maryland Bowhunters Society • P.O. Box 697 • Dunkirk, Md. 20754-0697 • p: 1-800-434-0811

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