Ciekot: They say this proposed bill is pro-hunter, but it's not

This coming week brings with it the end of area duck seasons, as the seasons in all three Delmarva states come to a close on the last weekend of January. With all the ice, snow and freezing cold we've had lately, added to the near absence of ducks in many areas, this has been one of the toughest duck hunting years in recent memory.

You can't judge a season just by what you shoot, especially if you're limited to one hunting spot, but this has been one of those years. Trying to chase birds has been the proverbial wild goose chase, as you'd hear of birds in one area, then talk to hunters there and learn that no, they didn't have any and the birds were someplace else. Going to the next area you'd get the same story, and on and on it would go.

If you've managed to stay on the X and have a great season give yourself a pat on the back, as not many hunters have. Yet the season still has a week to go, the ice has melted and any duck hunter worth his camo will be out there for the final days. We certainly can't blame a lack of ducks on global warming this season, so let's pray they pay us a visit for the last week. 

More:Ciekot: 3 hunting regulations Maryland is considering

Legislation affecting Maryland hunters

As promised there is more on the legislative front from Annapolis and this week we have HB007/SB0182. This bill would give hunters a $50 tax credit for each deer donated to the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) program, up to a total of $200.

On face value this seems like a solution without a problem, as hunters have never had any problem donating deer to the FHFH program. The big problem has been a lack of funding for FHFH and this bill does not address that in any way.

The true intent of all this is found in a section of the bill that does NOT cap the tax credits for deer that were killed under a DMP (Deer Management Permit), better known as crop damage permits. What this bill truly does is allow farmers to shoot deer, which are a public resource, and get paid for it via unlimited tax credits.  

This is little more than a new and novel way for farmers to get paid for shooting deer, similar to the venison sales bill that popped up last year.

One of the most troublesome parts of all this is that it originated in the third annual Hunters Summit put on by the Maryland Hunting Coalition (MHC) in September 2017. The idea came from Delegate Johnny Mautz and the MHC's press release states that "Maryland's hunting community stands united with Delegate Mautz in supporting legislation that would provide a tax credit for harvested deer donated to the hungry."

The MHC has done a lot of good on a lot of issues for Maryland hunters in the few years they've been around, but this isn't one of them. No hunter in their right mind should be for this nonsense and I encourage all of you to contact your Maryland delegates and senators and ask them to kill this bill.

More:Ciekot: Hunters can learn a lot in the snow

Outdoor Calendar

Jan. 22-27: Delaware late muzzleloader deer season

Through Jan. 27: Maryland woodcock season

Through Jan. 27: Maryland and Delaware regular duck season

Through Jan. 28: Virginia regular duck and AP Canada goose seasons 

Through Jan. 31: Maryland archery deer season 

Through Jan. 31: Delaware archery and crossbow deer seasons

Through Jan. 31: Maryland brant season

Through Jan. 31: Virginia tundra swan season

Through Jan. 31: Virginia light/snow goose regular season

Feb. 1-April 5: Virginia light/snow goose conservation order season

Feb. 3: Virginia youth waterfowl hunt

Through Feb. 3: Delaware gray squirrel season  

Feb. 3-11: Great American Outdoor Show, Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, Pa., www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org 

Through Feb. 3: Maryland and Delaware AP Canada goose seasons

Through Feb. 3 and Feb. 10: Maryland regular light/snow goose season

Feb. 5-9 and Feb. 12-April 14: Maryland conservation order light/snow goose season

Feb. 10: Maryland and Delaware youth waterfowl hunts

Through Feb. 10: Delaware regular light/snow goose season

Feb. 12-April 13: Delaware conservation order light/snow goose season  

Feb. 16-18: Ocean City Seaside Boat Show, OC Convention Center, Ocean City, www.ocboatshow.com

Through Feb. 28: Delaware rabbit season

Through Feb. 28: Virginia squirrel and rabbit seasons