reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 3 - Hunting Licenses › Section 10-312 - Suspension of License

(a)    The Department shall suspend a person’s hunter’s license if the license is used or presented to a law enforcement officer by a person other than the person to whom the license was issued, pending the disposition of a criminal proceeding against the other person.
(b)    In addition to any penalty provided in this title, if any person is convicted of hunting without a proper hunter’s license in the person’s possession, or using another person’s hunter’s license, the hunter’s license shall be rendered void. The person upon whom the hunter’s license is found and the licensee may not procure a hunter’s license the following hunting license year. However, this section does not apply to a licensee who does not knowingly give the licensee’s license to another.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › 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 open season, a person may not hunt, destroy, or possess in any manner any wild bird within the State whether killed in the State or in any other state, territory, or country.
(b)    Unless prohibited by federal law, this section does not prohibit a landowner or his agent from shooting hawks or owls when considered necessary to protect poultry or game birds or mammals on the landowner’s property from destruction. In addition, this section does not prohibit the Department from controlling birds or mammals which have become obnoxious in nature or habit or are damaging wildlife on any lands in the State.
(c)    (1)    Except for the sale of captive breed birds of prey as permitted under federal and State propagation or federal and State falconry regulations, a person may not sell, offer for sale, offer to purchase, barter, or exchange the plumage, skin, or body of any nongame bird, whether caught within the State or in another state, territory, or country.
(2)    Except as otherwise provided, a person may not possess any game bird for sale whether caught within the State or in another state, territory, or country.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-402 - Hunting and Taking Nests and Eggs of Wild and Migratory Birds

(a)    A person may not take or destroy or attempt to take or destroy the nest or eggs of any wild bird or possess the nest or eggs.
(b)    A person may not hunt or take any nest or egg of any bird regulated by the United States Department of the Interior pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 40 Stat. 755, except in the manner and by the means prescribed by the rules and regulations adopted by the Secretary of the Interior of the United States and approved by the President of the United States pursuant to the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 40 Stat. 755.
(c)    A person may take or possess any nest or egg of any wild bird regulated by the United States Department of the Interior pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 40 Stat. 755, for scientific purposes if the person first obtains a permit from the Secretary of the Interior of the United States and a scientific certificate from the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › 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, or attempt to hunt, purchase, sell, barter, or exchange any game bird except as provided by federal or State laws and rules and regulations.
(b)    A person may not hunt or possess any game bird in excess of the limits prescribed by federal or State laws and rules and regulations.
(c)    A person may not hunt game birds at any time or in any manner on land or in waters within the boundary lines of any federal or State-owned or controlled migratory bird refuge unless permitted by federal or State laws or rules and regulations.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › 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 Department shall establish by regulation and publish by July 1 each year the open season to hunt forest and upland game birds and mammals.
(2)    Except as provided under § 10–410 of this subtitle, the Department may not authorize hunting on a Sunday.
(3)    (i)    1.    Subject to subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the Department shall establish by regulation by July 1 of each year a junior deer hunt to occur on a Saturday and Sunday on the same weekend during a deer hunting season.
2.    The regulations adopted under this subparagraph may not authorize the junior deer hunt to occur on a Sunday in a county in which deer hunting is not authorized for that Sunday.
(ii)    A person may participate in the junior deer hunt if the person:
1.    Is 16 years of age or younger;
2.    Possesses a valid hunting license or is exempt from hunting license requirements; and
3.    Is accompanied by a person who:
A.    Is at least 21 years of age;
B.    Possesses a valid hunting license or is exempt from hunting license requirements; and
C.    Is not in possession of a firearm, a bow, or any other hunting device.
(iii)    A person who participates in the junior deer hunt may use a firearm to hunt deer on the days of the hunt.
(b)    If the Department by regulation pursuant to § 10-205 of this title restricts or reduces the number of days normally allowed to hunt, possess, sell, purchase, ship, transport, carry, or export any game bird or mammal because of an emergency situation, the Department may extend the open season to provide a comparable number of days in any given season.
(c)    The Department shall establish by regulation the maximum open season for hunting crows which is permissible under federal law, and shall include in its regulations such provisions as are permitted under federal law for control of crows at any time they are found to be committing or about to commit depredation upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-406 - Open Season for Hunting and Trapping Fur-Bearing Mammals

(a)    Except during the hunting and trapping season or as allowed under subsection (b) of this section, a person may not hunt or trap any fur–bearing mammal or possess the meat or pelt of any fur–bearing mammal, whether hunted or trapped within the State or any other state, territory, or country.
(b)    (1)    (i)    A person may possess any green pelt of any fur–bearing mammal until March 25 for purposes of curing the skins.
(ii)    However, in Frederick, Garrett, Allegany, Carroll, Howard, and Washington counties, a person may hunt or trap mink or muskrat between November 15 and February 15, of the year following, and a person may possess any green mink and muskrat pelt until February 25 for purposes of curing the skin.
(iii)    1.    In the remainder of the State except for the counties in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, a person may hunt or trap mink or muskrat between January 1 and March 15.
2.    In Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and Worcester counties, a person may hunt or trap mink or muskrat between December 15 and March 15 of the year following.
(iv)    The Department may extend any muskrat season set by this subsection for a period of 1 week, if the Department considers it necessary for any reason, including weather conditions.
(2)    A person may possess the meat of muskrat or otter no more than 10 days after the close of open season for these mammals in order to dispose of the meat for food. However, a person may apply for a permit to store the meat during the closed season if the meat was hunted lawfully.
(3)    A muskrat damaging any embankment or impoundment may be destroyed by the owner at any time.
(4)    A person may hunt or trap and possess the pelt or meat of raccoon or opossum during those periods and under the restrictions, including bag limits, the Department may establish by regulation.
(5)    In Charles and Dorchester counties, a person may hunt or trap a fox or possess the pelt of a fox at any time of year.
(6)    A person may hunt or trap on the person’s land a coyote, fox or skunk that is damaging or destroying the personal or real property of the landowner.
(7)    A person may:
(i)    Trap a coyote during the trapping season established by the Department; or
(ii)    Hunt a coyote:
1.    While the person is legally hunting for any other species of game bird or mammal, by any method legal for use at the time in hunting that other species; or
2.    At any time of year, by predator calling.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › 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 ducks, geese, and swan as required by subsection (b) of this section, the Department shall conduct public hearings on the proposed season, at least 1 of which shall be held, on an alternating basis, in Wicomico, Somerset, Worcester or Dorchester counties.
(b)    The Department annually shall establish and publish the open season, excepting Sundays, for doves, mergansers, woodcock, and wetland game birds, including wild waterfowl, in conformity with the federal migratory bird rules and regulations adopted annually by the Secretary of Interior of the United States.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-408 - Department to Regulate Use of Weapons and Ammunition

(a)    In this section, “handgun” means a firearm:
(1)    With a barrel length not exceeding 6 inches; and
(2)    That does not have a scope or an electronic device attached.
(b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall:
(i)    Prescribe by regulation the means or weapons for hunting designated wildlife; and
(ii)    Set forth any restrictions relating to weapons used to hunt designated wildlife, including the amount and size of ammunition for designated game birds or mammals.
(2)    The Department may not prohibit a licensed bow hunter from openly carrying a handgun that the hunter is otherwise authorized to carry under § 4–203 of the Criminal Law Article if the bow hunter:
(i)    Is at least 21 years old;
(ii)    Is hunting in deer management Region A as defined by the Department’s Guide to Hunting and Trapping;
(iii)    Is carrying the handgun for personal protection; and
(iv)    Does not use the handgun to kill wildlife wounded by a vertical bow or crossbow.
(c)    The Department shall make the regulations available for distribution with each hunting license purchased.
(d)    This section does not authorize the Department to restrict the use of firearms except in the activity of hunting designated wildlife.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-408.1 - Certain Traps Near Residences

(a)    A person, while trapping or attempting to trap animals, may not place, set, maintain, or operate any snares, body-gripping, or leghold traps within 150 yards of a permanent human residence.
(b)    This section does not apply to:
(1)    State and federal wetlands;
(2)    Private wetlands as designated by the Department;
(3)    Land which qualifies for agricultural assessments, as provided under § 8-209 of the Tax - Property Article, and timberland and lands used for reforestation;
(4)    Except in Howard and Harford counties, owners and lessees of any privately owned land; and
(5)    Owners and lessees of any privately owned land in Howard and Harford counties as long as a trap described in subsection (a) of this section is not within 150 yards of the permanent residence of another person.
(c)    This section does not apply to the use of body-gripping traps with a jaw spread of less than 6 inches that are placed, maintained, and operated completely submerged in water.
(d)    This section does not apply to the use of snap-type traps used to catch rats and mice.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › 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 establish and publish by April 25 each year the bag limits per day for game birds and mammals by regulation for the ensuing year. The bag limits for ducks, geese, brant, railbirds, woodcock, mergansers, doves, and snipe may conform to the federal migratory bird rules and regulations adopted annually by the Secretary of Interior of the United States.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-411 - Hunting on Private Lands

(a)    A person may not upon any pretense come to hunt on the lands owned by another person without the written permission of the landowner or the landowner’s agent or lessee.
(b)    Any person hunting on this private property is liable for any damage the person causes to the private property while hunting on the private property.
(c)    The landowner may not be liable for accidental injury or damage to the person whether or not the landowner or the landowner’s agent gave permission to hunt on the private property.
(d)    In Harford County a person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine of not less than $25 and not exceeding $250.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-412 - Hunting Wetland or Upland Game Birds

(a)    (1)    In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
(2)    “Baited area” means any area where shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed capable of luring, attracting, or enticing birds is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, and this area remains a baited area for 10 days following complete removal of all corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed.
(3)    “Baiting” means the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed so as to constitute for birds a lure, attraction, or enticement to, on, or over any areas where persons are attempting to hunt them.
(b)    A person may not hunt wetland game birds or upland game birds, except quail and pheasant, by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, if the person knows or reasonably should know that the area is a baited area.
(c)    This section does not prohibit:
(1)    The hunting of wetland and upland game birds on or over standing crops, flooded standing crops (including aquatics), flooded harvested croplands, grain crops properly shocked on the field where grown, or grains found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural planting or harvesting; and
(2)    The hunting of all upland game birds on or over any lands where shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed has been distributed or scattered as the result of bona fide agricultural operations or procedures, or as a result of manipulation of a crop or other feed on the land where grown for wildlife purposes. Manipulation for wildlife management purposes does not include the distributing or scattering of grain or other feed once it has been removed from or stored on the field where grown.
(d)    By rule or regulation, the Department may exempt from this section captive raised mallard ducks which are released on a regulated shooting ground to be shot at immediately after release.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-413 - Restrictions Pertaining to Dogs and Cats

(a)    An owner of a dog may run or train the owner’s dog on woodcock, pheasants, or any imported species, ruffed grouse, rabbit, hare, and quail at any time of year if an attendant accompanies the dog. An attendant of the dog may not carry firearms of any description, except a handgun, or permit the dog, while being trained, to kill any game birds or mammals except during the open season for the game. Each attendant shall possess a valid hunting license while training any dog.
(b)    A person may not willfully allow any dog belonging to the person to destroy the eggs or nest of any game bird or mammal. Any person harboring a dog shall be deemed its lawful owner.
(c)    Any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer may kill any dog, which does not bear a license, found destroying game birds or mammals or the nest or eggs of any game bird or mammal.
(d)    A Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer shall and any other person may destroy any cat found hunting any game bird or mammal or protected bird or mammal. A cause of action for damages cannot be maintained for this act.
(e)    (1)    The owner or custodian of a retriever dog shall obtain a permit from the Department before the owner or custodian may shoot artificially reared game birds for the purpose of training the dog. The permit is not required in order to shoot game birds during an open season or on a licensed shooting preserve.
(2)    Only the trainer of a retriever dog and not an assistant to the trainer is required to obtain a permit under this subsection.
(3)    On payment of the $5 permit fee, the Department shall issue annually a permit to the owner or custodian of a retriever dog to train the dog at any time of the year.
(4)    A permittee under this subsection may, while training a retriever dog, possess and shoot with a shotgun any artificially reared game bird that has been liberated by hand and tagged before its use with an identification band provided by the Department.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-414 - Hunting Restrictions Relating to Raccoon and Opossum

(a)    A person may not possess any live raccoon or opossum unless the person first procures a permit from the Department. Any raccoon or opossum reduced to possession by a hunter or trapper shall be immediately killed.
(b)    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, the owner of a marsh or the owner’s employees may hunt any raccoon which destroys a muskrat or its home in a marsh area of the State at any time.
(c)    A landowner or the landowner’s agent may set or use steel traps or similar devices at any time to trap raccoon or opossum which are damaging property.
(d)    A person may not cut a tree for the purpose of hunting or dislodging a raccoon or opossum without the consent of the owner of the tree.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-417 - Export and Shipment of Game or Nongame Birds or Mammals

(a)    A person may not export from the State any game bird or mammal, except wild waterfowl and fur-bearing mammals. However, a licensed hunter may take out as personal baggage in the open season only the prescribed possession limit as set by regulation. The hunter shall produce the hunter’s hunting license upon demand of any Natural Resources police officer, any law enforcement officer, or agent of the common carrier. An express company or any common carrier knowingly may not accept any game bird or mammal, except wild waterfowl or fur-bearing mammals, for shipment within or outside the State.
(b)    A person desiring to export wild waterfowl from the State shall ship them in the open, tied by head or feet and tagged accordingly, or in a container, slatted so that the birds are visible. A person may not export from the State in 1 week more than the prescribed bag limit of wetland game birds the person kills.
(c)    A person acting as a common carrier, or an officer, agent, or employee of a common carrier, may not ship, carry, take, or transport any nongame bird within or outside the State.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-418 - Clothing Worn by Hunters or Assistants

(a)    This section does not apply to any person who:
(1)    Hunts deer with a bow and arrow during the season restricted to hunting with a bow and arrow;
(2)    Hunts game birds or mammals during the open season using falcons, hawks, or owls; or
(3)    Hunts or accompanies, aids, or assists another person hunting the following species:
(i)    Wetland game birds;
(ii)    Fur–bearing mammals;
(iii)    Crows;
(iv)    Doves; or
(v)    Wild turkeys.
(b)    Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, a person who hunts any wildlife and a person who accompanies, aids, or assists another person in a field, wooded area, marsh, or on the water to hunt any wildlife shall wear:
(1)    A cap of a solid daylight fluorescent orange or daylight fluorescent pink color;
(2)    A vest, jacket, or jacket containing back and front panels of at least 250 square inches of a solid daylight fluorescent orange or daylight fluorescent pink color; or
(3)    An outer garment of camouflage fluorescent orange or pink worn above the waist which contains at least 50 percent daylight fluorescent orange or daylight fluorescent pink color.
(c)    By regulation, the Department may define the terms:
(1)    “Daylight fluorescent orange” consistent with the recommendations of the North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators; and
(2)    “Daylight fluorescent pink”.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-419 - Commercial Use of Dead Seals Prohibited

(a)    It is unlawful to import into the State for commercial purposes, to possess with intent to sell, or to sell the dead body or a part or product of a seal.
(b)    This section does not prohibit the sale or possession with intent to sell of a part or product of a seal when the seller can demonstrate that the part or product was imported prior to July 1, 1973. It does not prohibit the sale of a part or product of a seal by an individual not normally engaging in this type of commercial sale, as long as the part or product was originally possessed and used by the seller for the seller’s own private purposes. This section does not prohibit the importation of a seal or a part or product of a seal as long as the importation is done for legitimate zoological, educational, or scientific purposes.
(c)    A person who violates a provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, for each violation, or imprisoned for 6 months, or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-420.1 - Hunting Deer With Certain Handguns

Notwithstanding any hunting law or regulation to the contrary, a person may hunt deer with a handgun having a barrel length of 6 inches or longer and ammunition which produces a muzzle energy of 700 foot pounds or more during the firearms hunting season only in hunting areas where a high-powered rifle is allowed as provided in § 10-415 of this subtitle.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-421 - Restriction on First Day of Firearms Season for Hunting Deer

On the first day of the firearms season for hunting deer, a person may not hunt any animal other than deer in this State, except that waterfowl may be hunted from a licensed gunning rig within the seaduck shooting zone and gunning rig zone.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-422 - Interference With Hunters

(a)    If the Department determines that a significant interference or disruption of a hunt or hunters is likely to occur on any land managed by the Department, the Department may adopt regulations to prohibit that interference or disruption.
(b)    While on private land that is owned by another person or in a hunting area on land managed by the Department, a person may not:
(1)    Interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person; or
(2)    Harass, drive, or disturb any game animal intentionally for the purpose of disrupting a lawful hunt.
(c)    A Natural Resources police officer or other police officer of the State who has probable cause to believe that a person has violated this section may:
(1)    Order the person to desist or to leave the area; or
(2)    Arrest the person on refusal to desist or leave the area.
(d)    The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any incidental interference arising from lawful activity by private land users or users of land managed by the Department, including farmers, miners, or persons engaged in recreation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-423 - Applicability of Penalty Provisions

(a)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, any penalty imposed under this section does not apply to an individual who kills or wounds a black bear in defense of the individual’s own life, the lives of other individuals, or the lives of animals, including honey bees in a bee colony managed by the individual, on the individual’s property.
(2)    The exemption for an individual that kills or wounds a black bear in defense of a honey bee under paragraph (1) of this subsection applies only to an individual who has installed and properly maintained an electric fence.
(b)    If the Secretary adopts any regulation, including an emergency regulation, under § 10–205 of this title or § 10–405 of this subtitle to prohibit the hunting, possessing, selling, purchasing, shipping, carrying, transporting, or exporting of black bears, a person who violates the regulation is subject to the following penalties:
(1)    For a first offense, a fine not exceeding $1,500, imprisonment not exceeding 6 months, or both; and
(2)    For a second or subsequent offense, a fine not exceeding $2,000, imprisonment not exceeding 1 year, or both.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-423.1 - Black Bear Damage Prevention and Reimbursement Fund

(a)    The General Assembly finds that it is in the public interest to provide funding to reimburse a person who has sustained damage to agricultural products or pets as a result of black bear.
(b)    (1)    There is a Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund in the Department.
(2)    The Fund consists of:
(i)    Proceeds from the sale of a conservation bear stamp or decal which may be purchased at a cost of $5 for each stamp or decal; and
(ii)    Gifts, grants, and contributions to the State that are designated for inclusion in the Fund.
(3)    The Fund is a continuing, nonlapsing special fund, and is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
(4)    The State Treasurer shall hold and the State Comptroller shall account for the Fund.
(c)    The Department may reimburse a person from the Black Bear Damage Reimbursement Fund in accordance with subsections (d) and (e) of this section for any damage to the person’s:
(1)    Beehives, fruit, or other crops;
(2)    Livestock and poultry as defined in § 1–101 of the Agriculture Article; or
(3)    Pets as defined in § 4–501 of the Family Law Article.
(d)    (1)    A person is eligible to be reimbursed from the Fund if:
(i)    The person has followed all black bear damage preventive measures recommended by the Department;
(ii)    The damage amount is determined by an extension agent of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service; and
(iii)    The Department has verified that the damage was caused by black bear.
(2)    Subject to available funding, a person may be reimbursed from the Fund in an amount not less than $200 or more than $3,000 per year.
(e)    If the money in the Fund is not sufficient to satisfy all the claims in accordance with the conditions described in subsection (d) of this section, an equal percent of each claim shall be paid.
(f)    The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-424 - Limitations on Hunting or Pursuing Wildlife, Unprotected Birds, or Mammals

(a)    While engaged in hunting or pursuing any wildlife or unprotected birds or mammals, a person may not:
(1)    Carelessly or negligently shoot, wound, or kill another person; or
(2)    Intentionally or willfully destroy or damage:
(i)    Any real property, personal property, or farm livestock of another person; or
(ii)    A domesticated animal that is in a safety zone established under § 10–410(g) of this subtitle.
(b)    (1)    A person may not conduct or participate in an organized contest for prizes or monetary awards for which unprotected birds are launched by mechanical or manual means as targets for the contest participants.
(2)    This subsection does not apply:
(i)    To the lethal taking of unprotected birds to protect or manage public or private property, domestic animals, livestock, or wildlife; or
(ii)    During an otherwise authorized hunting or dog training activity.
(3)    A person is subject to a fine of $25 for each unprotected bird killed in violation of this subsection.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-424.1 - Suspension of License for Violation of 10-424(1)

In addition to any other penalty provided in this title, the Department may suspend the hunting license of a person who is charged with a violation of § 10–424(1) of this subtitle pending the disposition of the criminal proceeding against the person.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-425 - Waterfowl Processing Operations

(a)    (1)    A person may not conduct a waterfowl processing operation unless the person has a waterfowl processing operation license issued by the Department under this section.
(2)    The Department may not charge a fee for any license issued under the provisions of this section.
(b)    (1)    A person desiring a waterfowl processing operation license shall apply on a form the Department supplies.
(2)    Upon receipt of a completed application, the Department shall issue a license.
(c)    A waterfowl processing operation license:
(1)    Shall expire on June 30 following the date of issuance; and
(2)    May be renewed by providing a completed renewal application.
(d)    A waterfowl processing operation may not receive or have in custody any wild waterfowl unless the wild waterfowl is properly tagged as required by State and federal laws and regulations.
(e)    A waterfowl processing operation shall keep on forms provided by the Department a record of:
(1)    The number of each species of wild waterfowl processed, received by, or in the custody of the operation;
(2)    The location (county and state) where each wild waterfowl received by the operation was taken;
(3)    The date each wild waterfowl was received by the operation;
(4)    The name and address of the person from whom each wild waterfowl was received;
(5)    The date each wild waterfowl was disposed of by the operation; and
(6)    The name and address of the person to whom each wild waterfowl was delivered.
(f)    A licensee shall submit a copy of the records required by subsection (e) of this section to the Department annually prior to the March 1 immediately following the date of the issuance of the license.
(g)    At any reasonable hour, a licensee shall allow any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer to enter and inspect the premises where the operation is conducted and to inspect records.
(h)    In addition to any other penalty under this title, the Department may suspend or revoke the license of a licensee who is convicted of violating a provision of this title, a regulation issued under this title, or a federal game law or regulation.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-426 - Hunting via Internet Connection Prohibited; Penalty

(a)    A person may not shoot at or kill a bird or animal in the State with a gun or other device operated or accessed via an Internet connection.
(b)    Accessing, regulating access to, or regulating the control of a gun or device capable of being operated in violation of this section shall be prima facie evidence of the commission of an offense under this section.
(c)    A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both.
(d)    The hunting privilege or hunting license of a person convicted of violating this section shall be revoked, and the person shall be denied the privilege of hunting in the State for at least 2 years and not more than 5 years.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 4 - Hunting Restrictions -- in General › Section 10-427 - Prohibition on Organized Killing Contests -- Penalty for Violation

(a)    Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a person may not sponsor, conduct, or participate in a contest organized in the State that has the objective of killing a coyote, fox, or raccoon for prizes or monetary rewards.
(b)    This section may not be construed to prohibit:
(1)    A landowner or the landowner’s agent or lessee from killing coyotes, foxes, or raccoons on property of the landowner, provided that the killing is not part of an organized contest; or
(2)    Lawful dog training or dog performance competitions.
(c)    A person is subject to a fine of $50 for each coyote, fox, or raccoon killed in violation of subsection (a) of this section.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › 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 indicated.
(b)    “Fur dealer” means any person who buys or acquires raw and green furs, skins, hides, or pelts of wild quadrupeds from any person and sells or disposes of them.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-502 - Nonresident Trapping License

(a)    Any nonresident of the State who desires to trap furbearers, except otter or beaver, first shall procure a nonresident trapper’s license in addition to any other license required. The license shall be issued only to residents of other states which grant the same trapping privileges to Maryland residents.
(b)    The license shall be:
(1)    Issued for a $25.50 fee or a fee equal to that charged by the nonresident’s home state for a similar license, whichever is greater;
(2)    Issued in accordance with the procedures for issuing nonresident hunting licenses; and
(3)    Effective for the same period as a hunter’s license.
(c)    In addition to the license fee, the designated person who sells and issues the license may collect a processing fee equal to 10% of the license fee, and the balance of the fee shall be paid and accounted for in the manner provided by § 10-209 of this title.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-504 - Restrictions Relating to Beaver, Muskrat, and Otter

(a)    A person may not hunt any muskrat, beaver, or otter in any manner except by trapping. A person may not dig into or in any manner molest or destroy any part of a muskrat, beaver, or otter den or house. A person may not possess at any time the hide or skin of any muskrat, beaver, or otter which has been caught in any way except by trapping, and any muskrat, beaver, or otter hide or skin which has been punctured by a hole which appears to be a shot or bullet hole shall be prima facie evidence that the muskrat, beaver, or otter was killed illegally.
(b)    A person may not possess at any time a light for the purpose of hunting muskrats, beaver, or otter at nighttime. Possession of a light shall be prima facie evidence that the light was intended for this purpose.
(c)    A landowner or the landowner’s lessee shall have the exclusive right to trap for muskrats down to the mean low watermark or on marsh land adjacent to the landowner’s land. A person may not enter upon or place traps upon the land without first obtaining the written consent of the landowner or the landowner’s lessee.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-505 - Possession, Sale, and Transportation of Illegally Taken Furs

(a)    A person may not possess, buy, sell, transport, or ship out of the State or offer to buy, sell, transport, or ship out of the State any fur or pelt of any wild quadruped, or any part of them, which has been unlawfully hunted, trapped, possessed, or transported.
(b)    The possession of a green pelt or part of the pelt by any person during closed season shall be prima facie evidence that the pelt or part of the pelt was taken and possessed illegally.
(c)    In addition to any other penalty provided by the provisions of this title, any person convicted of violating this section may have the person’s fur dealer’s or taxidermist and fur tanner’s license revoked for a period not exceeding 5 years.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-506 - Fur Dealer's License

(a)    Subject to the exceptions of subsection (f) of this section, any person who desires to buy, acquire, sell, transport, ship, or store at any time any fur or pelt of any wild quadruped taken within or outside the State first shall obtain a fur dealer’s license from the Secretary.
(b)    A person who has resided permanently in the State for a period of not less than 6 months immediately preceding the time of application may obtain a resident State fur dealer’s license upon payment of a $50 fee.
(c)    A nonresident may obtain a nonresident fur dealer’s license upon payment of a $100 fee.
(d)    Every application for a license shall contain information the Secretary requires.
(e)    Every fur dealer’s license issued shall expire on June 30 following the date of issuance.
(f)    The Department may not require the following persons to obtain a fur dealer’s license:
(1)    A person who buys or otherwise acquires any fur or pelt of any wild quadruped for the personal use of the person and not for barter, exchange, or sale;
(2)    A person who can substantiate the fact that any fur or pelt the person possesses is bought from a licensed fur dealer or lawfully is obtained from a dealer in another state and is dressed, altered, trimmed, repaired, or manufactured into a finished product but not resold as a fur or pelt;
(3)    A tanner or taxidermist who possesses any fur or pelt legally owned by another person and which the tanner or taxidermist temporarily is holding solely for the purpose of processing;
(4)    A person who sells or possesses to sell the meat, pelt, carcass, or mounted specimen of any beaver, coyote, fisher, fox, mink, muskrat, nutria, opossum, otter, raccoon, skunk, or long-tailed weasel legally taken by that person;
(5)    Any person who butchers a deer for another person and who retains the hide or fur of the deer because the other person did not want or take the hide or fur; and
(6)    Any person who sells or possesses to sell the hide, hair, tail, or feet, excluding a mounted specimen of deer, squirrel, or rabbit legally acquired.
(g)    The licensee shall allow any Natural Resources police officer or any law enforcement officer to enter the premises and holding facilities where operations are being carried on at all reasonable hours for the following purposes:
(1)    To inspect the premises and holding facilities where operations are being carried on;
(2)    To inspect wildlife; and
(3)    To inspect records.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-507 - Required Records and Annual Reports by Fur Dealers

(a)    Each fur dealer shall keep a ledger on a form provided by the Department which includes the name, address, and current hunting, trapping, fur dealer’s, taxidermist and fur tanner’s, or game husbandry license number of each person from whom any fur was purchased or received within or outside the State, the date of purchase or receipt, the quantity of each species of furs purchased, and the country, state, and county or political subdivision where the furs were taken, and identifies any appropriate official game or fur possession tag number or bill of sale. The ledger must state the final disposition of the furs and the date disposed of. Disposition includes selling, transporting, shipping, storing, or otherwise using or possessing the furs. The licensee also shall include the same information with regard to any wildlife taken from the wild by the licensee. The ledger shall cover every transaction from date of issuance of the fur dealer’s license until date of expiration and shall be kept up-to-date. In addition to any other penalty provided by this subtitle, any person convicted of failing to maintain and keep up-to-date a ledger as required by this subsection or of making false entries shall have the license revoked for a period of at least 1 year and not exceeding 5 years.
(b)    Between July 1 and July 10, every fur dealer shall submit the ledger to the Secretary along with a statement under oath that the information in the ledger is correct on forms furnished by the Secretary, indicating the number or quantity and species of furs possessed, and the county or place of origin where furs were taken, possessed, bought, sold, transported, shipped, stored, tanned, or used by him during the period covered by the previous license. Every fur dealer also shall include in the report the name, address, and current license number of each person from whom any fur was purchased within or outside the State, the date of purchase, the quantity of each species of furs purchased, and the county where the furs were taken, if purchased in the State. Each report shall cover every transaction from date of issuance of the fur dealer’s license until expiration. Application for renewal of a fur dealer’s license shall accompany the ledger.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › 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 person and shall exhibit the license upon demand. The licensee shall allow any Natural Resources police officer and any law enforcement officer to enter and inspect the premises where operations are being carried on and to inspect records at any reasonable hour.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-509 - Shipping Tags for Out-of-State Shipment of Furs -- in General

(a)    A person knowingly may not ship, transport, or carry by any means any fur or pelt of any wild quadruped to a point outside the State unless each shipment has a special shipping tag attached on the outside.
(b)    Shipping tags shall be obtained from the Secretary.
(c)    Each tag shall be composed of 2 parts, and each part shall give the name and address of the consignee and the kind and number of any fur or pelt contained in the package. One part shall be attached to any fur or pelt personally carried open to view or attached on the outside of the container in which any fur or pelt is shipped or transported. The other part of the tag immediately shall be forwarded to the Secretary.
(d)    A licensed fur dealer in the State may not be required to attach a special tag to any shipment of furs or pelts of any wild quadruped to another state if the fur dealer’s license number for the current year appears on the outside of any package being shipped or transported.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › 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 destroy any tag attached to the outside of a container in which any fur or pelt is shipped.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › 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 receive any fur or pelt of any wild quadruped for shipment to any point outside of the State unless the fur or pelt is tagged or marked as required.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 5 - Restrictions Relating to Species Hunted for Their Fur, Pelt, or Hide › Section 10-513 - Penalty

In addition to any other penalty provided by the provisions of this title, any person convicted of violating any provision of this subtitle shall be fined $5 for each wild bird or wild quadruped or any part of them mounted or possessed for mounting.
2023 Maryland Statutes › Natural Resources › Title 10 - Wildlife › Subtitle 6 - Wild Waterfowl › Section 10-601 - Definitions

(a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b)    “Boat” includes any raft, canoe, floating blind, skiff, or other floating device.
(c)    “Offshore” means any place on waters of the State below the mean high tide mark on tidal waters or below the mean high water mark on nontidal waters.
(d)    “Offshore blind site” means a specific location in the water where a person may hunt wild waterfowl from a boat that is tied to or anchored at a stake which has been licensed pursuant to this subtitle.
(e)    “Offshore stationary blind” means an offshore structure built on pilings or stakes that has been licensed pursuant to this subtitle and used for hunting wild waterfowl.
(f)    “Waterfowl safety zone” means:
(1)    An area 150 yards from any occupied dwelling; or
(2)    A section of shoreline not exceeding 250 yards in length owned by a federal or State unit.