Sunday hunting should be for private land only

We are writing to offer another perspective to the discussion of Sunday hunting that appeared in the March 1 edition of the Independent. A letter-writer and the editors of the Independent endorsed state legislation that would lift bans on hunting waterfowl and deer on Sundays on public land. However, we believe the ban is reasonable and should be retained.

White-tailed deer hunting is allowed in Maryland in state-owned parks and wildlife management areas six days a week from early September until the end of January. Hunting season for some types of waterfowl extends into March.

Those of us who enjoy these public areas for birding, hiking, kayaking, walking our dogs, or just getting the kids out of the house and away from the computer, have been able to do so on Sundays without the safety concerns that go with sharing space with hunters. The Southern Maryland Audubon Society participates in numerous nationwide bird counts during the winter that are scheduled on Sundays for this reason. The Port Tobacco River Conservancy likewise schedules its fall shoreline cleanups and winter invasive species removal projects on Sundays.

A 2017 study by the Outdoor Industry Association

found that outdoor recreation activities in the state of Maryland generated $14 billion in consumer spending, $951 million in state and local tax revenue and provides nearly $4.4 billion in wages and salaries.

It is important for our legislators to understand that a significant portion of these economic statistics are derived from non-hunting outdoor activities.

Sunday hunting is currently allowed on limited dates on private lands, and we have no objection to legislation that would expand this use.

Lynne Wheeler,

Bryans Road

Tina Wilson, Port Tobacco Wheeler is the president of the Southern Maryland Audubon Society, and Wilson is the president of the Port Tobacco River Conservancy.