Silver Spring, MD -- Hunting season is here again, and
The Fund for Animals, a national animal protection organization with
more than 200,000 members and supporters nationwide, warns that hunting
can be a deadly pastime for humans as well as animals.
Hunters often make the claim that hunting causes fewer
injuries per participant than many other sports, but Michael Markarian,
President of The Fund for Animals, points out, "While injuries may occur
during sports ranging from football to ping pong, those injuries are
generally not on a par with gunshot or arrow wounds. And they usually
don’t result in fatalities to non-participants who are enjoying the
outdoors or even their own property—as hunting does."
In Maryland, it is the threat to non-hunters that has
raised public scrutiny over recent decisions to increase hunting
activities—including a controversial new regulation allowing the use of
crossbows and a bill signed into law by Governor Robert Ehrlich that
allows hunting on Sundays for the first time in centuries. Also, a
recent ruling by Maryland's Supreme Court that leaders of hunting
parties are not liable for accidental shootings by other hunters in
their groups does not add any incentive for hunters to practice
increased safety measures.
Added Markarian, "Sundays used to be safe for horseback
riding, hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, but non-hunters
in Maryland will be stuck at home more than ever this fall if they don’t
want to risk being shot." The crossbow and bow-hunting season for deer
is currently underway in Maryland, with the shotgun/rifle season
commencing on November 29. The two Sundays on which hunting will take
place this year, for the first time, are November 2 and 30.
The Fund recommends exercising extreme caution when
venturing out into the woods during hunting season. Be sure to wear at
least one item of bright orange clothing. If you see hunters trespassing
in a posted "No Hunting" zone, do not confront them as they are carrying
weapons and might shoot intentionally or accidentally. Instead, contact
the Natural Resources Police at 800-628-9944 and ask them to
investigate. Try to collect as much information as possible on your own,
such as license plate numbers, descriptions of the people involved, and
photos or videos of any illegal activity.
Go on to Pass the Buck! Tips on How to Reduce Deer/Auto Collisions
Return to 26 October 2003 Issue
Return to Newsletters
** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material, use of which has not been
specifically authorized by the copyright owners. I believe that this
not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the
copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your
own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.
