Maryland Natural Resources Police Remind Hunters To Be Safe And Responsible

Maryland Natural Resources Police Remind Hunters To Be
Safe And Responsible

ANNAPOLIS — With the hunting season here, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) today recommended basic tips hunters could implement to make their hunt safe and enjoyable. Hunters should remember that their actions in the field and in public reflect on all hunters and the sport of hunting.

The NRP reminds hunters to:

Familiarize and practice with their firearms and equipment before the hunting season.

Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.

Never take drugs or use alcohol before or while hunting. Vision, coordination and senses can be affected. Alcohol will intensify the effects of hypothermia.

Know your physical limitations. Be physically able to hunt the game and travel the terrain, whether it is the marshes of the Eastern Shore or the mountains of Western Maryland.

Follow the laws and safety rules for hunting and make sure that their hunting partners do also.

Respect the rights of private landowners to privacy and safety. Written permission is always obtained prior to the hunting season.

Respect the rights and beliefs of non-hunters. Covering harvested game while transporting from the field to home.

To purchase a hunting license or to hunt in Maryland, state law requires persons to take a hunter safety education class. These classes are offered year-round throughout the state; for the complete listing of times and locations, visit the DNR website at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/education/
The goals of Maryland's Hunter Education Programs include the reduction of hunting accidents and violations, promotion of safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting activities and to continue the traditions of the hunting experience. In 1966 Maryland started with a voluntary program of hunter education. In 1977, the Maryland legislature made it mandatory for all first time hunters to complete a hunter education course. We now have more than 600 volunteer instructors teaching over 200 hunter education courses each year. Over 7,200 people take the Maryland Hunter Education Course every year.

It's no accident that hunting is a safe activity. That's because today's hunters are better educated than ever before. They're going into the field knowing how to hunt safely and responsibly, a knowledge provided by hunter education courses.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 214 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.