Natural Resources - Hunting - Management

SB 643 allows Maryland's Department of Natural Resources to authorize deer population reduction on properties with documented deer damage (minimum 10 acres) using methods that may include Sunday hunting permits, subject to restrictions near equestrian trails. It repeals the ban on Sunday hunting for migratory game birds and sets a standard 30-minute-before-sunrise-to-10:30 a.m. time window for Sunday hunting in designated counties during game bird and mammal seasons, with exceptions during deer firearms season and spring turkey season. The bill replaces previous county-specific Sunday hunting rules with a statewide regulatory approach managed by the Department. This directly affects property owners with deer damage and hunters in participating counties during specified seasons.