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Subtitle 1 - In General
Section 10-101 - Definitions - (a) In this title the following words have the meanings...
Section 10-102 - Findings Regarding Hunting -- Right of Residents to Hunt Subject to Certain Regulations and Restrictions - (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) Hunting is a...
Subtitle 2 - Organization and Authority of Unit Pertaining to Wildlife -- in General
Section 10-202 - Responsibilities of Secretary Generally - (a) The Secretary is responsible for conservation and management of...
Section 10-202.1 - Nutria Management Plan - (a) The Secretary shall develop, adopt, and implement a comprehensive...
Section 10-203 - Transfer of Jurisdiction of Department of Game and Inland Fish and Fish and Wildlife Administration to Department - Every right, power, duty, obligation, and function previously conferred upon...
Section 10-204 - Department Advisory Commissions - (a) There is a Wildlife Advisory Commission in the Department....
Section 10-205 - Regulations Affecting Wildlife; Lottery-Based System for Issuance of Licenses, Permits, or Stamps - (a) Having a due regard for the distribution, abundance, economic...
Section 10-206 - When Department May Reduce Wildlife in Identifiable Areas - The Department may reduce the wildlife population in any county,...
Section 10-207 - Payment of Bounties - The Department may not pay bounties for any wildlife.
Section 10-208 - Assent to Public Law 415, 75th Congress - The State assents to the provisions of the act of...
Section 10-209 - State Wildlife Management and Protection Fund - (a) In this section, “Fund” means the State Wildlife Management...
Section 10-210 - Wild Waterfowl Sampling Methods - In the planning of sampling methods and the compilation of...
Section 10-211 - Population Control of Mute Swan - (a) The Department shall establish a program to control the...
Section 10-212 - Hunting Heritage Protection - (a) The General Assembly finds and declares that: (1) Hunting...
Section 10-213 - Venison Donation Grant Program -- Purpose -- Applying for Grants - ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 446 OF...
Subtitle 2A - Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act
Section 10-2A-01 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...
Section 10-2A-02 - Findings of General Assembly - (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) It is the...
Section 10-2A-03 - Investigations by Secretary; Regulations Generally; Taking, Possessing, Transporting, etc., Prohibited Generally - (a) The Secretary shall conduct investigations of nongame wildlife in...
Section 10-2A-04 - Determination of Status as Endangered or Threatened Species; Preparation of Lists; Regulations - (a) Any species of wildlife or plant determined to be...
Section 10-2A-05 - Changes in Listings; Regulations for Conservation of Species; Prohibited Acts; Transportation Under Valid Permit; Possession,transportation, etc., for Scientific Purposes - (a) Except with respect to species of wildlife or plants...
Section 10-2A-05.1 - Incidental Taking Permit for Endangered Puritan Tiger Beetle; Regulations - (a) The Secretary shall issue a permit to an applicant...
Section 10-2A-05.2 - Incidental Taking Permit for Endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel - (a) The Secretary may issue a permit to an applicant...
Section 10-2A-06 - Programs for Conservation - (a) The Secretary shall establish programs, including acquisition of land...
Section 10-2A-06.1 - Birdwatcher's Fund - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...
Section 10-2A-07 - Penalties for Violation of 10-2a-05; Searches and Seizures; Forfeitures - (a) Any person who violates the provisions of § 10-2A-05...
Section 10-2A-08 - Exemptions From Subtitle - (a) The provisions of this subtitle do not prohibit: (1)...
Section 10-2A-09 - Short Title - This subtitle may be cited as the Nongame and Endangered...
Subtitle 3 - Hunting Licenses
Section 10-301 - In General - (a) In this section, “child” includes: (1) Foster child; (2)...
Section 10-301.1 - Competency in Firearms and Hunter Safety - (a) (1) (i) On or after July 1, 1977 a...
Section 10-301.2 - Patron's Licenses - (a) There is a patron’s hunting license. (b) The Department...
Section 10-301.3 - Commemorative Lifetime Hunting License - (a) There is a commemorative lifetime hunting license. (b) The...
Section 10-302 - Sale of Licenses and Stamps by Persons Engaged in Retail Business - (a) Any person engaged in a retail business who desires...
Section 10-303 - Complimentary Licenses - (a) (1) The Department annually may issue a complimentary hunting...
Section 10-304 - Disposition of Proceeds From Licenses - Any money the Department receives for hunter’s licenses shall be...
Section 10-306 - Duty to Possess and Show License When Hunting - A person shall have in the person’s possession the person’s...
Section 10-307 - Special Permit for Disabled Persons to Hunt From Vehicles - The Department may issue a special permit to a disabled...
Section 10-308.1 - Migratory Game Bird Stamp - (a) In addition to any other requirement, a person hunting...
Section 10-308.2 - Snow Goose Hunting by Nonresidents - Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a nonresident may hunt...
Section 10-309 - Waterfowl Hunting Guide Licenses - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...
Section 10-309.1 - Waterfowl Hunting Guide Services for Hunting Snow Geese - A nonresident may provide waterfowl hunting guide services for hunting...
Section 10-310 - Obtaining License by False Statements - A person may not obtain a hunter’s license issued pursuant...
Section 10-311 - Inadvertent Violation of 10-306 - If any person, convicted of violating § 10-306 of this...
Section 10-312 - Suspension of License - (a) The Department shall suspend a person’s hunter’s license if...
Section 10-313 - Trapping Permits - For the purpose of managing wildlife the Secretary may issue...
Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General
Section 10-401 - Hunting, Possessing, and Selling Certain Wild Birds - (a) Except for unprotected birds and game birds hunted during...
Section 10-402 - Hunting and Taking Nests and Eggs of Wild and Migratory Birds - (a) A person may not take or destroy or attempt...
Section 10-403 - Hunting, Purchasing, Selling, etc., Game Birds in Violation of Federal and State Law; Hunting in Bird Refuges - (a) A person may not hunt, purchase, sell, barter, exchange,...
Section 10-404 - Hunting, Possessing, Importing, and Selling Game Venison, Birds or Game Mammals - (a) In this section, “officially inspected” means venison inspected and...
Section 10-405 - Open Season for Forest Game Birds and Mammals and Upland Game Birds and Mammals; Junior Deer Hunt - (a) (1) Pursuant to § 10–205 of this title, the...
Section 10-406 - Open Season for Hunting and Trapping Fur-Bearing Mammals - (a) Except during the hunting and trapping season or as...
Section 10-407 - Open Season for Wetland Game Birds, Wild Waterfowl, and Certain Other Migratory Birds Regulated by Federal Rule or Regulation - (a) Before establishing the open season for ducks, except sea...
Section 10-408 - Department to Regulate Use of Weapons and Ammunition - (a) In this section, “handgun” means a firearm: (1) With...
Section 10-408.1 - Certain Traps Near Residences - (a) A person, while trapping or attempting to trap animals,...
Section 10-409 - Department to Regulate Bag Limits; Bag Limits to Be in Conformity With Federal Rules and Regulations - Pursuant to § 10-205 of this title, the Department shall...
Section 10-410 - Restrictions on Hunting Wildlife Generally - (a) (1) The Department may allow a person to hunt...
Section 10-411 - Hunting on Private Lands - (a) A person may not upon any pretense come to...
Section 10-412 - Hunting Wetland or Upland Game Birds - (a) (1) In this section the following words have the...
Section 10-413 - Restrictions Pertaining to Dogs and Cats - (a) An owner of a dog may run or train...
Section 10-414 - Hunting Restrictions Relating to Raccoon and Opossum - (a) A person may not possess any live raccoon or...
Section 10-415 - Deer Hunting -- in General - (a) There are the following 3 seasons to hunt deer:...
Section 10-416 - Deer Hunting -- Prohibited Methods - (a) (1) A person may not hunt deer in the...
Section 10-417 - Export and Shipment of Game or Nongame Birds or Mammals - (a) A person may not export from the State any...
Section 10-418 - Clothing Worn by Hunters or Assistants - (a) This section does not apply to any person who:...
Section 10-419 - Commercial Use of Dead Seals Prohibited - (a) It is unlawful to import into the State for...
Section 10-420 - Muzzle Loading Hunting Season for Deer - The Department shall establish a separate season for hunting deer...
Section 10-420.1 - Hunting Deer With Certain Handguns - Notwithstanding any hunting law or regulation to the contrary, a...
Section 10-421 - Restriction on First Day of Firearms Season for Hunting Deer - On the first day of the firearms season for hunting...
Section 10-422 - Interference With Hunters - (a) If the Department determines that a significant interference or...
Section 10-423 - Applicability of Penalty Provisions - (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this...
Section 10-423.1 - Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund - (a) The General Assembly finds that it is in the...
Section 10-424 - Limitations on Hunting or Pursuing Wildlife, Unprotected Birds, or Mammals - (a) While engaged in hunting or pursuing any wildlife or...
Section 10-424.1 - Suspension of License for Violation of 10-424(1) - In addition to any other penalty provided in this title,...
Section 10-425 - Waterfowl Processing Operations - (a) (1) A person may not conduct a waterfowl processing...
Section 10-426 - Hunting via Internet Connection Prohibited; Penalty - (a) A person may not shoot at or kill a...
Section 10-427 - Prohibition on Organized Killing Contests -- Penalty for Violation - (a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person...
Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide
Section 10-501 - Definitions - (a) In this title the following words have the meanings...
Section 10-502 - Nonresident Trapping License - (a) Any nonresident of the State who desires to trap...
Section 10-504 - Restrictions Relating to Beaver, Muskrat, and Otter - (a) A person may not hunt any muskrat, beaver, or...
Section 10-505 - Possession, Sale, and Transportation of Illegally Taken Furs - (a) A person may not possess, buy, sell, transport, or...
Section 10-506 - Fur Dealer's License - (a) Subject to the exceptions of subsection (f) of this...
Section 10-507 - Required Records and Annual Reports by Fur Dealers - (a) Each fur dealer shall keep a ledger on a...
Section 10-508 - Possession of License by Fur Dealer; Inspection of Records of Fur Dealer - A fur dealer shall carry the license on the dealer’s...
Section 10-509 - Shipping Tags for Out-of-State Shipment of Furs -- in General - (a) A person knowingly may not ship, transport, or carry...
Section 10-510 - Shipping Tags for Out-of-State Shipment of Furs -- Mutilation or Destruction Prohibited - A person may not willfully or wantonly remove, mutilate, or...
Section 10-511 - Shipping Tags for Out-of-State Shipment of Furs -- Receiving Unmarked or Untagged Furs or Pelts Prohibited - A common carrier or the carrier’s agent knowingly may not...
Section 10-512 - Taxidermist and Fur Tanner's License - (a) (1) Any person desiring to commercially practice the art...
Section 10-513 - Penalty - In addition to any other penalty provided by the provisions...
Subtitle 6 - Wild Waterfowl
Section 10-601 - Definitions - (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings...
Section 10-601.1 - Regulations - The Secretary may adopt regulations to implement the provisions of...
Section 10-602 - Hunting Prohibitions - (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, “nighttime” means...
Section 10-603 - Hunting From Powered Boats - (a) Except while lawfully hunting under the requirements of this...
Section 10-604 - Hunting While Standing in Water on the Natural Bottom - (a) A person may hunt wild waterfowl while standing in...
Section 10-605 - Hunting From Boat That Is Drifting or Being Sculled - (a) A person may hunt wild waterfowl from a boat...
Section 10-606 - Hunting From an Anchored Boat - (a) A person may hunt wild waterfowl from a boat...
Section 10-607 - Riparian Landowners - (a) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this...
Section 10-608 - Offshore Blind Sites -- Applications - (a) A Maryland resident who possesses a current year or...
Section 10-609 - Requirements; Offshore Stationary Blinds - (a) Offshore stationary blinds and offshore blind sites shall be...
Section 10-610 - Offshore Blind Sites -- Construction by Department for Public Use - (a) (1) In order to provide greater public access and...
Section 10-611 - Offshore Blind Sites -- Hunter's License Required - Any person hunting wild waterfowl from a stationary blind or...
Section 10-612 - Inspections of Blind Site Certifications - (a) The Department shall inspect a licensed blind site to...
Section 10-613 - Loss of Blind Sites Markers - If a licensee erects a stationary blind or blind site...
Section 10-614 - Impermissible Blind Site Locations - Offshore stationary blinds or blind sites may not be erected,...
Section 10-615 - Trespass and Unauthorized Use of Blinds - (a) A person may not enter, use, or occupy another...
Subtitle 7 - Field Trials and Use of Hunting Dogs
Section 10-701 - Field Trial Permit - (a) A club or association may not hold a field...
Section 10-702 - Shooting Game Birds and Mammals or Protected Birds at Field Trials During Closed Season - (a) Any club or association holding a field trial during...
Section 10-703 - Nonresident Dogs Participating in Field Trials Exempt From License Taxes - Dogs brought into the State to participate in field trials...
Subtitle 8 - State Wildlife Management Areas and Hunting Grounds
Section 10-801 - Acquisition; Exception in Allegany and Garrett Counties - (a) The Department may acquire, by purchase, lease, condemnation, or...
Section 10-802 - Title and Control; Expenditures for Acquisition - (a) The title to any land or water acquired by...
Section 10-803 - Sale and Exchange of Property - (a) If the Department considers it in the State’s best...
Section 10-804 - Use; Sale of Timber; Rights-of-Way Across Areas; Caretakers - (a) An acquired area of land or water may be...
Section 10-805 - State Wildlife Refuges -- Establishment on State or Federal Property; Markings and Notices - (a) The Department, in order to protect and propagate wildlife,...
Section 10-806 - State Wildlife Refuges -- Leased Land or Water - (a) If a person who owns or controls any suitable...
Section 10-807 - State Wildlife Refuges -- Entry Upon - (a) A person may not enter in any manner on...
Section 10-808 - State Wildlife Refuges -- Rules and Regulations - The Department may adopt and post rules and regulations for...
Subtitle 9 - Captive Wildlife
Section 10-901 - Legislative Findings and Declarations - The General Assembly finds and declares that it is in...
Section 10-902 - Permits and Licenses - (a) Any person desiring to possess, import, export, breed, raise,...
Section 10-903 - Regulations Prohibiting or Restricting Importation, Exportation, etc., of Nonnative Wildlife - The Secretary may adopt regulations prohibiting or restricting the importation,...
Section 10-904 - Intergovernmental Coordination - The Secretary shall coordinate with federal and local governments regarding...
Section 10-905 - Game Husbandry Licenses - (a) (1) On payment of a reasonable fee, the Secretary...
Section 10-906 - Regulated Shooting Grounds - (a) Any person desiring to establish and operate a regulated...
Section 10-907 - Hunting With Falcons, Hawks, or Owls - (a) Any person desiring to take alive, possess, train, fly,...
Section 10-908 - Wildlife Damage Control Permits - (a) Any properly accredited person desiring to assist the Department...
Section 10-909 - Collection of Wildlife, Nests, or Eggs for Scientific or Educational Purposes - (a) Any properly accredited person of known scientific attainment desiring...
Section 10-911 - Penalties; Nuisances - (a) In addition to any other penalty provided by the...
Subtitle 11 - Penalties and Fines, Searches, Seizures,and Forfeitures
Section 10-1101 - Penalties - (a) For the purpose of this title, each game bird...
Section 10-1101.1 - Restitution -- Poaching - (a) (1) Notwithstanding § 10–1101 of this subtitle, if a...
Section 10-1102 - Collection and Disposition of Fines - (a) If any fine is imposed by the District Court...
Section 10-1103 - Search Warrants - If any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement...
Section 10-1104 - Searches Without Warrant - (a) If a Natural Resources police officer or any law...
Section 10-1105 - Seizure and Disposition of Wildlife Unlawfully Caught, Sold, Offered for Sale, Transported, or Possessed - A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer,...
Section 10-1106 - Seizure, Forfeiture, and Disposition of Devices, Equipment, or Property - (a) A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement...
Section 10-1107 - Restitution - (a) If a person is convicted of violating any provision...
Section 10-1108 - Suspension of Hunting License - (a) In addition to any other penalty provided by this...
Subtitle 12 - Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
Section 10-1201 - Compact Terms - The General Assembly hereby approves and the Governor is authorized...
Section 10-1202 - Operation and Effect - When the Governor has executed the Compact under this subtitle,...
Section 10-1203 - Expenses of Compact Administrator - The Compact Administrator representing this State, as provided in Article...