Review
This year marks a century of organized enforcement of conservation laws in Maryland, and who better to record the history between then and now than what old-timers prefer to refer to as a game warden? To be politically correct, the job today is officially called natural resources policeman, but that sounds too sophisticated for the fellows who grub in the mud and sail in rough waters to protect our resources.
Paul M. Hanyok has been a state park ranger, watershed patrol officer, and for the past nine years a game warden corporal with DNR Police in Carroll County. Aside from hunting for poachers, he has found time to write an exceptionally informative - and interesting - history of our state's conservation enforcement. "Maryland's Conservation Laws, Licenses and Enforcement Officers" is rich in lore of the old days and the not-so-old days on the conservation beat from the early oyster wars to today's forceof 199 men and women.
The 115-page softcover book is sprinkled with more than 80 photographs, a detailed index and a review of events and the people who made them since 1654 when a bounty of 100 pounds of tobacco was offered for the heads of wolves. The first official game license came in 1845 to allow Cecil Countiansto hunt waterfowl on the Elk River with "big guns" mounted on skiffs. Nine years later came the first commercial fishing license for oystering in Somerset County, and sports fishermen made the scene when in 1892 a license was required of Queen Annes residents to fish from a boat in that county.
It's a unique volume with interesting coverage of the outdoors, one that could make interesting reading while on a deer stand; an ideal stocking stuffer for the outdoorsman at Christmas. -- Annapolis, Maryland newspaper, THE CAPITAL
Product Description
"Maryland's Conservation Laws, Licenses and Enforcement Officers" is a one-of-a-kind reference for history buffs and hunting and fishing enthusiasts alike. Contained in the book, the reader will find a comprehensive account of Maryland's early conservation laws and a history of the wardens who enforced them. Special attention was given to details on all phases of conservation law enforcement work. From the white-tailed deer to the oysters of the Chesapeake Bay, this work will show how Maryland's officials served to protect these resources for the benefit of the citizens.The work will also serve as a guide for the collector of hunting and fishing licenses and stamps. Several chapters are included that describe the licensing of Maryland hunters, fishermen and seafood harvesters. Much effort was made to research official documents for license issue amounts and to solicit license dealers and collectors nationwide for information on prices used in the price guide. The 100+ page, softcover book contains 80 photographs, some of which show early wardens at work and complete badge and shoulder patch collections. Also included are photographs of vintage hunting and fishing licenses and stamps and a recent license and stamp collector's price guide. This book is a must for the person interested in Maryland's conservation history and the work of its fish and game wardens. It is invaluable as a guide for the hunting and fishing license and stamp collector.
