2008-2009 Maryland Late Waterfowl Hunting Seasons Proposed

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Welcomes Public Comments through Aug. 20 on Proposal

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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites public comments on the recently proposed 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting seasons.

“We are pleased to offer a variety of waterfowl hunting opportunities and continue the great tradition of wild fowling in the Chesapeake area,” said Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul A. Peditto. “Hunters will note several changes to the proposed waterfowl seasons this year. We look forward to public input on the proposals that ensure sustained waterfowl populations while allowing for use of this treasured natural resource.”

The proposed 2008-2009 duck season will be a 60-day season with a 6-duck daily bag limit. Species bag limits are based upon population status and spring breeding habitat and summer brood rearing conditions. This year, waterfowl managers proposed increasing the daily bag limit of wood ducks to three per day. A recent review of the biological data for this species indicates that the wood duck population can sustain some additional harvest pressure.

Conversely, the daily bag limit of scaup has been reduced to ensure harvest is compatible with population status. Although, scaup remain abundant, the population of lesser scaup has undergone a gradual decline as a result of several environmental factors that have contributed to lower survival and recruitment. The recently adopted scaup harvest strategy calls for a restrictive season in 2008, with a 1 scaup bag limit for 40 days of the 60-day regular duck season, and a 2 scaup limit during the remaining 20 days of the season.

There will be no open season on canvasback this year. The 2008 canvasback breeding population estimate decreased 44% from 2007, primarily the result of a 39% decline in pond numbers in Prairie Canada. Dry conditions exist throughout much of Prairie Canada and the north central U.S., thus the outlook for canvasback production is poor.

The 2008 spring breeding pair survey of Atlantic Population (migrant) Canada geese totaled 169,700 compared to 195,700 in 2007. Although the number of breeding pairs decreased, spring snow melt was normal over most of the major Atlantic Population (AP) breeding range. Favorable nesting conditions led to a strong nesting effort, and as a result, gosling production is expected to be good. The Atlantic Population Canada goose season will remain at 45 days with a daily bag limit of two geese.

The 2008-2009 proposed waterfowl hunting regulations also include changes to the regular Atlantic Flyway Resident Canada (AFRP) goose season. The season length for the AFRP Canada geese has been increased from 70 to 80 days and the closing federal framework date has been extended to March 10 to exert greater harvest pressure on this overabundant goose population. The proposed AFRP Canada goose season dates are Nov. 15 to Nov. 28 and Dec. 16 to Mar. 4. The daily bag limit is 5 geese per day. The AFRP Canada Goose Hunt Zone has also been modified to afford additional protection to migrant AP geese. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard Counties, and a portion of Carroll County will now be a part of the AP Hunt Zone.

Following a high mid-winter survey count of 161,000 Atlantic brant along the east coast, the proposed 2008 hunting regulations for Atlantic brant also have been liberalized to allow a 60-day season and a 3-bird daily bag limit.

For a table that lists all the proposed Maryland 2008-2009 late waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits visit at http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.

Public comments about the proposed waterfowl hunting season dates and bag limits may be submitted online at www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/lwfforum.asp, via fax at 410-260-8596, or over the phone by calling 410-260-8540.

On Monday, August 18, at 7 p.m., DNR will hold a public meeting to collect comments on the proposed regulations at Chesapeake College’s Amphitheater (Room H117) in the Kent Humanities Building in Wye Mills. Directions to the meeting are below.

• FROM ANNAPOLIS AND POINTS WEST
  Take Route 50 East to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn right on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

• FROM SALISBURY AND POINTS EAST
  Take Route 50 West to the traffic light at the intersection of Routes 50 and 213, and turn left on Route 213. The Chesapeake College entrance is on the right. Park in Lot E.

LIVING SHORELINES WORKSHOP

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites Somerset County residents and property owners to learn about living shorelines as an environmentally-friendly soil erosion protection solution during a workshop on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free workshop and lunch will be held at the Crisfield Heritage Foundation Historical Museum’s Chesapeake Room, located at 3 Ninth Street in Crisfield.

“Natural, living shorelines are vital not only to the Chesapeake Bay’s health but also provide property owners with additional flood protection,” said Frank Dawson, Department of Natural Resources Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Resources. “With development pressure increasing, it is critical – now more than ever – that waterfront property owners help protect and restore our treasured bay.”

Some of the numerous environmental and economic benefits of living shorelines include: restoration of wildlife habitat and spawning areas; establishing a marsh area where property owners can enjoy canoeing, fishing, and swimming from; and increasing property values.

Workshop participants will learn about permitting, site designs, contractor hiring, and native plant success, as well has visit a local living shoreline project.

To register for the free workshop, email dbell@dnr.state.md.us or call 410-260-8732.

KRATOVIL CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO HARRIS TV AD

Statement from Kratovil spokesman Tim McCann on Andy Harris’s newly-released television ad:

“In his new TV ad, Andy Harris is trying to sell himself as a champion of alternative energy. Sorry Andy, that dog just won’t hunt. He has had 10 years in Annapolis to work on energy solutions at the state level, but instead he has stood in the way of progress at every turn. Just this year, he opposed a program that is going to make Maryland a national leader on renewable energy. We applaud his recent conversion, but I don’t think his ability to read a poll is quite the kind of ‘vision and leadership’ voters are looking for.

“Fact is, Andy Harris has taken tens of thousands of dollars of campaign cash from Big Oil. Maybe that’s why the he is proposing that we now reward the same oil companies that have chosen not to expand domestic production from 68 million acres of territory on which they already hold leases.”

Andy Harris’s Record on Energy: Just the Facts

7 Voted against SB 209 (2008), which will increase the share of Maryland’s energy usage coming from renewable sources to 20% by 2022. This legislation is expected to create over 1,000 jobs in the state and generate over $400 million in revenues for farmers through biomass demand and wind energy leases, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.[1]

7 Voted against SB 268 (2008), which established the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Program and the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund.

7 Voted against SB 309 (2008), which requires the Department of the Environment to develop plans, adopt regulations, and implement programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 25% from 2006 levels by 2020.

7 Voted against HB 1016/SB 595 (2007), which added solar energy to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and removed some of the obstacles preventing solar energy producers from bringing new projects online.

7 Voted against SB 566 (2007), which encourages the construction of wind energy generation stations in Maryland.

7 One of only 3 Senators to vote against HB 714 (2004), which establishes the Solar Energy Grant Program in the Maryland Energy Administration to provide grants to individuals, local governments, and small businesses making the transition to solar energy.

7 Voted against SB 869 (2004), which established Maryland’s renewable energy portfolio standards for retail electricity sales.

7 One of only 3 Senators to vote against SB 711 (2000), which established a pilot program to use solar energy in public school buildings.