Deer Hunting

Editor: I was reluctant to read the article on luring deer because I have an aversion to hunting and killing. However, curiosity made me read it to see how hunters lure innocent deer into their sight. So I learned about scenting, rattling antlers and grunt calling. But it was the last sentence, "Learning to call the deer in can be as much fun as shooting them," that went straight to my heart. I've heard most of the reasons for hunting deer — thinning the population, lessening car accidents, relieving the starvation of deer in winter, and protecting the farmer's livelihood — so I am prepared to be chided for my naivete.

The moment was 20 years in the making. That's how long Earl Geoghegan of Pasadena had tried talking his wife, Michelle, into buying a crossbow. . But there were the Geoghegans last Thursday morning waiting in line, like thousands of other local outdoors enthusiasts, turning their Christmas and holiday gift cards into guns, bows, fishing rods, camping equipment and other coveted necessities — and a few luxuries — to help them pursue their favorite...

A managed deer hunt in Baltimore County parks could happen under a bill introduced at Monday's council meeting. Republican Councilmen Todd Huff and David Marks sponsored the bill, which would amend county code to permit a hunt in collaboration with the state Department of Natural Resources. A study by a county environmental commission conducted more than a year ago determined that deer were causing severe damage in some parks, particularly Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, leading to devastated crops and greenery, and potentially increasing the spread of Lyme disease.

Ashley Bates nearly missed the first day of this year's Junior Deer Hunt. The 12-year-old from Catonsville, who took a safety class last spring in order to hunt, was supposed to be practicing with her club field hockey team Nov. 12. But when Ken Bates got word the night before that his daughter's practice had been canceled, he packed up the truck, picked up his father, Ken Sr., and took his daughter to a Worchester County property the family has...

The proposal by 3rd District County Council member Todd Huff to allow controlled deer hunting in some county parks is expected to be discussed at Tuesday’s County Council work session in Towson. Huff, a Republican who represents the northern part of the county, introduced the bill April 4, and at the time said deer are spreading Lyme disease, destroying vegetation and causing major car accidents. Republican and 5th District Councilman David Marks, who represents Towson and Perry Hall, is co-sponsoring the bill.

Hunting in the state parks is a delicate undertaking, requiring an extreme concern for the safety of hunters and non-hunters alike. Especially in the suburban areas, where houses have sprung up along the sylvan borders and where concentrated recreation demands are greatest.Plans by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' to conduct a managed, one-week shotgun hunt for reproductive does in Susquehanna State Park in Harford County this fall again raises these legitimate concerns.At the same time, there is a demonstrated threat to the ecosystem and to the nearby human residences of far too many deer.

High winds and bitter temperatures kept deer hunters at home and dropped the total number of kills for the 2010-11 season below the 100,000 mark for the first time in three years. During the archery, muzzleloader and modern firearms seasons, hunters killed 98,663 deer, down 2 percent from last year's record season. Brian Eyler, deer project leader for the Department of Natural Resources, called the season "challenging. " In addition to the weather, an abundant acorn crop meant deer did not have to leave safety to search for food.

A total of 929 deer were taken by Anne Arundel County hunters during last year's September to January seasons, according to official figures just released by the Department of Natural Resources figures.County bowhunters accounted for 292, of which 175 whitetails were antlered bucks. Shotgun hunters bagged 556 deer, of which 249 were bucks, during Maryland's first-ever two-week firearms hunt. During the December muzzleloader season, a total of 81 deer (24 bucks and 57 does) were harvested.

Two brothers were accused early yesterday of jacklighting -- hunting deer illegally by using a spotlight to illuminate the animals at night -- said a spokesman for Maryland Natural Resources Police.Spokesman John Surrick said Cpl. Paul Hanyok was on routine patrol along Bennett Road near Long Corner Road in Mount Airy about 2 a.m. when he saw two men standing on the road next to a vehicle, shining a spotlight onto a privately owned cornfield.Surrick said the area has a large deer population.

Three Carroll County men have been cited by the Department of Natural Resources rangers for alleged deer hunting violations on Dec. 11, the last day of the deer firearms season in Maryland, according to a spokeswoman for the DNR.Charles Hamilton McKinney, 30, of Sykesville, and Bruce Wayne Rogers, 35, of Eldersburg were cited for alleged possession of a weapon on state land.Mr. McKinney also was charged with hunting in the Soldier's Delight Natural Environment Area in Baltimore County. Each violation carries a fine of $70 if the defendants don't choose to stand trial.

Editor: I was reluctant to read the article on luring deer because I have an aversion to hunting and killing. However, curiosity made me read it to see how hunters lure innocent deer into their sight. So I learned about scenting, rattling antlers and grunt calling. But it was the last sentence, "Learning to call the deer in can be as much fun as shooting them," that went straight to my heart. I've heard most of the reasons for hunting deer — thinning the population, lessening car accidents, relieving the starvation of deer in winter, and protecting the farmer's livelihood — so I am prepared to be chided for my naivete.

Controlled deer hunts can take place in certain Baltimore County parks, but under tighter conditions than originally proposed, according to a bill approved Monday by the County Council. Seeking to frame the bill as part of a broader strategy to control the overflowing deer population, council members deleted some references to hunting from the bill in favor of "deer cooperator program. " County officials will also explore other methods of deer control including sterilization. The bill clearly states that it is not intended to allow open season in county parks — requiring any hunt to be conducted at night under the supervision of the state Department of Natural Resources.

Baltimore County Council members are looking to amend a bill to permit controlled deer kills in certain public parks, but critics say the proposed changes don't go far enough. Council members said the changes are being formulated, but references to hunting have been deleted in favor of a "wildlife management program. " Other amendments would require the county to also explore alternative methods of deer control — including sterilization — and would clearly state that the bill would not allow open season in county parks.

The proposal by 3rd District County Council member Todd Huff to allow controlled deer hunting in some county parks is expected to be discussed at Tuesday’s County Council work session in Towson. Huff, a Republican who represents the northern part of the county, introduced the bill April 4, and at the time said deer are spreading Lyme disease, destroying vegetation and causing major car accidents. Republican and 5th District Councilman David Marks, who represents Towson and Perry Hall, is co-sponsoring the bill.

A fight to save Baltimore County parkland is pitting hikers and homeowners against hunters and some environmentalists, as all confront a common foe — deer. A bill to permit managed deer hunts in some county parks, including Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville, has sparked both strong support and staunch opposition. The debate was framed by extremes at a County Council work session Tuesday, as some called the hunts a "deer massacre" and others said not culling the feeding herds would turn parks into suburban "deserts.

A managed deer hunt in Baltimore County parks could happen under a bill introduced at Monday's council meeting. Republican Councilmen Todd Huff and David Marks sponsored the bill, which would amend county code to permit a hunt in collaboration with the state Department of Natural Resources. A study by a county environmental commission conducted more than a year ago determined that deer were causing severe damage in some parks, particularly Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, leading to devastated crops and greenery, and potentially increasing the spread of Lyme disease.

Deer hunting permits for the 13-day firearms season at Harford County's Stoney Forest are available by lottery for the second straight season, Department of Natural Resources officials say.Ten permits a day, excluding Sundays, between Nov. 27 and Dec. 11, will be issued for the 318-acre tract of public land near Creswell along James Run between Bel Air and Aberdeen.Lottery winners may reserve two hunting days a week during the firearms season.The lottery will be held at 9 a.m. Nov. 10, with separate drawings for each week of the firearms season.

For the first time since Harry Truman was president, hunters are taking their weapons into a 1,700-acre section of woodland just outside the little town of Dublin in search of deer. The Baltimore Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America has opened its Broad Creek Memorial Scout Reservation in northeastern Harford County to hunters in an attempt to control an exploding deer population. "It's the first time since 1948 that hunting has been allowed," said Reed Blom, director of support services for the Boy Scouts council.

High winds and bitter temperatures kept deer hunters at home and dropped the total number of kills for the 2010-11 season below the 100,000 mark for the first time in three years. During the archery, muzzleloader and modern firearms seasons, hunters killed 98,663 deer, down 2 percent from last year's record season. Brian Eyler, deer project leader for the Department of Natural Resources, called the season "challenging. " In addition to the weather, an abundant acorn crop meant deer did not have to leave safety to search for food.

The opening week of the General Assembly is an empty canvas. For the Department of Natural Resources, that means no bills, no hearings, no being hauled in front of a committee. But that doesn't mean the folks in the trenches are quiet. The agency's leadership is doing stuff on the legislative front it hopes will make things better for both the outdoors and outdoors users. At a sit-down at an Annapolis eatery with DNR's top men (I had the pasta Bolognese, sat with my back to the wall and we split the check)