What is MSA?

The MSA is a non-profit, all volunteer organization, comprised of Maryland sportsmen (hunters, trappers, fishermen, shooters, etc).   The MSA seeks to preserve our outdoor heritages by actively working with the DNR, state legislators and the Governors office to protect and enhance our rights. MSA was formed in 1998 in response to the increased pressure created by the various anti-hunting groups of Maryland. The MSA is the “Sportsmen’s voice in Annapolis”.

The MSA acts a communication network of sportsmen. MSA members spend time in Annapolis and throughout the state – lobbying, testifying, serving on committees, and consulting with DNR officials and legislators – spreading the sportsmen’s voice.

The MSA in return keep the outdoorsmen aware of what is going in via our website, emails, forums, phone calls, and monthly newsletter.  The MSA seeks to spread the word – to inform the sportsmen of Maryland exactly what is happening in Annapolis, and how they need to react.

The MSA wants the sportsmen to become involved in Annapolis and the political process.

Our By-Laws state our purpose as:

To promote the proper use of land and water resources for conservation and propagation of fish and wildlife for recreational purposes. To provide support for a statewide association of individuals interested in promoting sound wildlife management. To provide maximum opportunity to engage in the shooting sports, hunting, fishing, trapping and other related activities. To provide financial and other support for agencies and organizations dedicated to the enactment and enforcement of laws, policies and regulations designed to protect and enhance the natural resources of Maryland. To educate the public, and particularly youth, with reference to the attributes of land, water and wildlife resources and the part played by sportsmen in conserving such resources. To promote recognition of commitment to conservation as a vital factor in maintaining the state’s health and quality of life for all the people in Maryland.

What has MSA done?

In just 4 years, the MSA has proven itself to be a prominent sportsmen voice in Annapolis. The MSA has been able to gain seats on the:
 

Just last session, the MSA was instrumental in the fight to:

The MSA believes that our children represent the future of our hunting heritage For this reason, we take pride in the in the Youth Events and Organizations that we help to support. A list of these youth events/organizations can be found by clicking here.

Why does the average sportsmen need to be involved in Annapolis?

Because it works!! The loudest voice in Annapolis usually gets the vote – we need sportsmen to speak louder than the anti-hunters.

During the last legislative session, anti-hunting groups such as the Humane Society, PETA, and the Fund for Animals introduced legislation that would have banned the use of leg-hold traps in Maryland. The MSA was able to work with the Maryland Furtrappers, the National Trapping Association, the United Sportsmen Alliance, and the Maryland Sportsmen Caucus, and in just 2 weeks, the trappers and hunters of Maryland sent enough calls, emails, and letters to their representatives that this bill quickly died. The anti-hunters spent thousands of man-hours and dollars in a wasted effort.

Being able to end the leg-hold trap legislation with just 2 weeks of focused grassroots lobbying proved how effective the hunters of Maryland can be if we just speak up.

Our success in the last session has guaranteed that the MSA will have a big bulls-eye drawn across our name by the anti-hunters. Next session these groups will dedicate more resources to ending our heritage than ever before.

By “becoming involved” we mean staying informed about the issues, forming your own opinion, and then contacting Annapolis to illustrate this opinion. Just a few calls a year to the right people in Annapolis can make a world of difference

For further proof, please see our “Hunter’s Testimonial” page to view various messages that we have received from average sportsmen that demonstrate the effectiveness of grassroots action.

But I really don’t want to be involved in politics.

We understand that Annapolis can be confusing, frustrating, and even scary, but the days of just buying a license and knowing that your rights would be protected by the DNR are long gone. The DNR has many different groups they must answer to -- and hunters are just one of them. The loudest  wheel gets the oil, and it is time that hunters start to make some noise.

That’s why MSA was formed – to make it easier for the average sportsmen to have a voice in Annapolis. The MSA goes through great strides to simplify, describe, explain, and consult the average hunter. We want you to contact your representatives, so we will do everything possible to make this an easier process for you – and it is truly an easy thing. Just a few calls or emails a year to the right people can make a huge difference.

Why should I join the MSA, I already belong to another organization such as Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Trout's Unlimited, etc.?

While these are great organizations, many of them are strictly conservation groups. Their mission is not to protect the rights of outdoorsmen, but rather to protect the habitat. Many of them, due to their tax status and organizational bylaws, cannot lobby directly on behalf or against legislation -- many simply can not or will not get involved in political issues. But the MSA deals almost entirely with political issues -- we step up and fill the void when other organizations are unable.
 
Also, the MSA can make a promise that many national organizations simply cannot -- we can promise that the money we receive from local Maryland Sportsmen will be put entirely towards protecting the local hunting heritage -- your money will stay right here in Maryland.
 
 

How do I become involved in saving our Sportsmen heritage?

By joining MSA you will be joining our network of Sportsmen, and joining the fight in Annapolis. Via our website, emails, forums, phone calls, and monthly newsletter you can stay informed about what’s going on in Annapolis. You will receive notification of important issues through our Legislative Alerts and Calls to Action. When we feel the situation requires sportsmen to contact their Legislators in Annapolis we will notify you and explain how you should proceed.

What does the MSA expect from its members?

Technically, nothing except your annual dues of $15. But, truly, we want all sportsmen in Maryland to become involved in Annapolis. By “becoming involved” we mean staying informed about the issues, forming your own opinion, and then contacting Annapolis to illustrate this opinion.

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