My study site for my master’s project is on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, so I have some experience with the fall shotgun season.  It is an exciting time for youngsters to spend time with their fathers and mothers in the field.  Although not quite on the same level with the hunting tradition in neighboring Pennsylvania, Maryland hunting would suffer a blow if this legislative bill is passed.  It is now being passed to the Maryland House Environmental Matters Committee that would prohibit any child twelve years old or younger from being able to hunt in Maryland.  If passed, the law would go against the recent trend of states lowering minimum ages in an attempt to increase hunter recruitment especially in youngsters.  Research has shown that as a person’s age increases, they are less likely to take up hunting and fishing as a pasttime.  If you are a sportsmen in Maryland, contact your legislator and let them know that you oppose HB655.  To know who to contact, access the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org 

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Leave me a comment and let me know if you think there should be a minimum age restriction for hunting.  If there is enough response, I’ll do a more lengthy post on exactly what I think about the subject.