AmmoLand.com

Maryland NRP Comment on Citizens Rescue of a Deer from Ice
Natural Resources Police (NRP) Superintendent Col. George Johnson has issued the following statement regarding the December 16 stranded deer incident in Baltimore County.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Annapolis, MD --(Ammoland.com)- I have reviewed the reports of last Thursday’s incident in which two apparently well-meaning citizens rescued a deer from the frozen waters of the Patapsco. Unfortunately, the citizens involved disregarded the orders of numerous public safety officers on the scene -– including Baltimore County Police and Fire Officers as well as the NRP -– by entering the icy waters on an inflatable raft and remaining in the water after being ordered back to shore.

Contrary to widespread reports, the raft was not equipped with the legally required safety equipment. Given the conditions of the water, what began with an animal in distress could have quickly led to a human tragedy, requiring an emergency response that could have endangered even more lives.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police are charged with protecting public safety as well as enforcing the laws of the State of Maryland. I have full confidence that the officer on the scene performed his duties as required by law. We are all very grateful that there was ultimately a safe outcome – for the citizens and the deer.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland’s forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland’s effort to restore the Chesapeake

Filed under: Conservation News, Hunting News by Ammoland 3 Comments »

Maryland DNR Buys 110 Ihea/Remington Outdoor Foundation Firearm Training Sets

Remington / IHEA Firearm Training Set

Remington Outdoor Foundation

Maryland --(Ammoland.com)- The Maryland Natural Resources Police, an arm of Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is providing new safety training resources to its hunter education instructors with a recent purchase of 110 firearm training sets from the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Remington Outdoor Foundation.

The new firearm training set features five firearms that include every action covered in IHEA’s curriculum. Each firearm is completely disabled so it cannot discharge, which allows students to learn by doing with a tool that simulates an actual firearm in every way except for live fire.

According to Sgt. Linda Gaulden, supervisor of the Safety Education Division, the Maryland Hunter Education Program graduated more than 7,000 students last year and expects to reach that many again in 2010 with this innovative training tool.

“The Maryland Natural Resources Police is very excited about the IHEA/Remington Outdoor Foundation Training Gun Sets,” said Sgt. Gaulden.

“We feel the gun sets will greatly enhance our program, adding a whole new level of safety in our classrooms by removing live firing breech loading guns. The students will be able to handle five actions of firearms; we can use these to demonstrate shooting positions, crossing obstacles and fences, and tree stand and blind demonstrations. The list is endless as to how we will use these training guns in our teaching scenarios. They will certainly create a safer classroom environment while teaching the students proper handling of firearms.”

Every firearm in the set – the Remington 870 pump action shotgun, Remington 11-87 semi-auto shotgun, Marlin bolt action .22, Marlin lever action centerfire 30/30, and H&R single barrel break action – features a blaze orange stock that is laser engraved with the IHEA and Remington Outdoor Foundation logos. These durable, high quality firearms are powder coated to make the metal parts resistant to rust and other elements.

“I personally was able to handle the training set firearms at the IHEA Conference in Colorado,” said Sgt. Gaulden.

“I was very impressed with the quality. The fluorescent orange stocks and forends will not allow these guns to get mixed up with your live fire inventory. The engraving on each gun that states they are a ‘non-functioning firearm’ is very clear. And the weight and balance of the training guns is exactly that of a normal functioning firearm.”

A wheeled gun case is also available, allowing instructors to easily transport the firearms training set.

The firearm training set is ideal for IHEA as well as for law enforcement instructors and those who offer safety training at events introducing youth, women and others to hunting and target shooting.

“I think these IHEA training gun sets are a good investment now, due to the price reduction offered by Remington Outdoor Foundation, but the real investment will be the years of use we will get out of these sets and the thousands of Maryland Hunter Education students who will benefit from this wonderful training tool,” said Sgt. Gaulden.

While the first order of 600 firearm training sets already has been placed, a second order will be made as soon as the minimum of 500 sets is met.

The 5-Firearm Training Set retails for $2,100 or $2,500 with the wheeled gun case. Nonprofit organizations can receive the special discounted price of $1,500 or $1,750 with the wheeled gun case.

Those living within the U.S. can place their order by contacting Tina West at Leorders@remington.com or 1-800-852-7634.

Filed under: Hunting News, Shooting Industry News by Ammoland No Comments »