Sunday Hunting Bills Pass Maryland House and Senate
OutdoorHub Reporters 03.21.14
The Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill over the weekend that would lift the ban on Sunday hunting in the state’s three westernmost counties. In addition to a similar bill that passed the state Senate last month, House Bill 406 is on track to arrive at the governor’s desk, making it likely that Maryland will do away with its Sunday hunting ban in at least part of the state.
“I’ve seen no indication that the governor would not sign the bill,” Delegate Wendell Beitzel, who introduced the House legislation, told The Cumberland Times-News.
Maryland hunters are allowed to hunt deer on Sundays, but only on private property and in certain counties. Other animals, such as small game, ruffed grouse, and turkey, are off-limits. Beitzel’s bill will allow hunters to harvest certain species—with the exception of migratory birds—in Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties.
Earlier this month, Virginia ended its 84-year-old ban when Governor Terry McAuliffe signed House Bill 1237 into law. In addition to Maryland, there are still 10 states that have some form of Sunday hunting ban on the books.
The Maryland bills are not expected to have any significant impact on the area’s wildlife, and have met with little opposition. House Bill 406 was passed on Saturday in a 118-12 vote.
