SB 24/HB 214, Queen Anne’s County – Deer Hunting on Private Property – Sundays.

This bill would add Queen Anne’s County to the list of counties that allow a person to hunt deer on private property with a bow and arrow or crossbow during open season on the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November as well as adding Queen Anne’s county to the list of counties that already allow firearms hunting on two Sundays during firearms season.   This bill was introduced last year as HB 1448.  At that time, it passed the House but died in the Senate EHE Committee.  SB 24 was introduced by Senator Pipkin and had a hearing in the Senate EHE Committee on January 23. HB 214 had a hearing in Environmental Matters and has the full support of both the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners and the Queen Anne’s County Delegation.  It also has the support of the Maryland Farm Bureau and DNR. This bill passed and became law.

SB 41/HB 272, Kent County – Deer Hunting on Private Property – Sundays. 
This bill would add Kent County to the list of counties that allow a person to hunt deer on private property with a bow and arrow or crossbow during open season on the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November as well as adding Kent county to the list of counties that already allow firearms hunting on two Sundays during firearms season.   These bills were withdrawn after the Kent County Commissioners withdrew their support as a result of citizen pressure.

HB 276, Frederick County – Deer Hunting – Use of Rifles.  This bill would allow the use of rifles to hunt deer in all of Frederick County.  Currently, hunters can use rifles in certain parts of Frederick County. This bill has been withdrawn.

HB 367, Hunting – Deer Firearms Season – January Days.  This bill would require DNR to establish by regulation a deer firearms season that includes a minimum of three days in January for the hunting of antlerless deer.  This bill has been withdrawn.

HB 369, Hunting – Deer Muzzle Loader Season – January Days.  This bill would require DNR to establish a deer muzzle loader season for a minimum of three days in January for the hunting of both antlered and antlerless deer.  This bill has been withdrawn.

HB 499, Natural Resources – Deer Bow Hunting Season – End Date.   This bill would requireDNR to establish a deer bow hunting season which would remain open until the Saturday following January 30.  HB 499 was heard by Environmental Matters on February 20 and has the support of the Maryland Farm Bureau.  DNR is opposed to this bill because it requiresthem to establish hunting seasons.  DNR stated that they need to be able to quickly react to changing numbers of deer and that cannot happen if the season is specified in law.  Other than DNR, no one offered testimony in opposition to HB 499.

HB 543, Carroll County – Deer Hunting.   HB 543 was introduced by the Carroll County Delegation and would authorize/allow DNR to regulate deer hunting in Carroll County from the first Sunday in October through the second Sunday in January.  DNR would probably just allow two, maybe three, additional weekends during that time period.  There would not be hunting all week during that period.  The bill was heard in Environmental Matters on February 27.  Maryland Farm Bureau, DNR, and Western Maryland Sportsmen’s Association testified in support.  There was no opposition.  This bill passed and became law.

The Maryland General Assembly’s website, www.mlis.state.md.us, is packed with all sorts of information.  You can find status of legislation, bill hearings, legislators’ biographical information, contact information and much, much more.