Bill Would Set $20,000 Penalty For Deer Poaching

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Maryland state legislators are set to consider a bill that would set penalties of up to $20,000 for poaching deer on private land.

The Cumberland Times-News  reported Tuesday that Senate Bill 266 is scheduled for a committee hearing Feb. 9.

Fines would range from $4,000 to $20,000, based on antler size, unless the poacher chooses to perform 80 hours of community service.

Republican Sen. Johnny Ray Salling of Baltimore County says large fines are needed to get a poacher's attention.

The nonprofit Maryland Hunting Coalition supports the bill. It says some landowners go to great expense to manage their deer herds to produce bucks with big racks.

Under existing law, deer poachers can lose their hunting privileges for up to five years.

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