Two changes to Maine’s hunting laws included as part of Gov. Baldacci’s budget should be opposed, while increased funding for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is welcome.

Maine’s resident-only first day of deer season would be abolished, and hunting would be allowed on Sunday except during the regular, firearms deer season. Both are bad ideas.

The resident-only hunting day, which is the first Saturday of the season, was established in 1977 as a way to limit the number of deer taken, encouraging growth in the herd. Because Maine’s deer population is significantly larger today, the department says the limit isn’t needed.

Maine hunters, who support conservation and wildlife initiatives all year, should be allowed the first crack during the season. If it’s a question of needing to cull more animals from the herd, it would be better to extend the season by another day. Call it a privilege of membership; Maine residents should be allowed a head start.

The Sunday-hunting proposal also should be reconsidered. Supporters of the initiative say that states that allow hunting on Sunday are able to draw hunters away from Maine by offering the extra day. Already, approximately 40,000 out-of-state hunters come to Maine each year. While the governor’s plan would not allow Sunday hunting during the busiest part of deer season, when some 170,000 hunters are in the woods, it would expand hunting opportunities for waterfowl, birds and moose.

Opposition to Sunday hunting comes primarily from two sources: Landowners who like having a hunting-free day; and outdoor enthusiasts who like being able to hike, bike, bird watch or whatever without having to worry about hunters. The change could lead some landowners to post their property, and drive nonhunters out of the woods completely during the fall.

The prohibition on Sunday hunting should remain. Maine’s woods and wild lands have value for many uses in addition to hunting.

On the positive side, the governor is proposing a budget increase of $1.4 million for Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The department has been underfunded for some time and has become too reliant on raising money from the hunting and fishing communities. Hunters and fishermen will always have close ties to Inland Fisheries, but the increase should take pressure off rate increases for licenses and permits, and allow the agency more independence.