On Friday, February 27, the Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear HB 1063, legislative action to streamline the state’s confusing mix of Sunday hunting regulations.
On Friday, February 27, the House Environment and Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear HB 1063, legislative action to streamline the state’s confusing mix of Sunday hunting regulations.
Reasons why HB 1063 is a win:
- Expands Sunday Hunting Opportunities: HB 1063 significantly expands Sunday hunting across the state. It grants the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) the authority to adopt regulations that allow Sunday hunting during all game bird and game mammal seasons, bringing much-needed consistency to our calendars.
- Repeals the Sunday Migratory Bird Ban: For the first time, this bill repeals the outdated prohibition on hunting migratory game birds on Sundays. This opens the door for the DNR to allow Sunday waterfowl hunting for certain categories, including junior, senior, and apprentice hunters, as well as full-time students.
- Empowers Science-Based Deer Management: The bill allows the DNR to authorize deer population reductions on properties of 10 acres or more that are experiencing “deer damage”—defined as significant harm to forests, native plants, or crops. This gives landowners and hunters more tools to manage overpopulated herds effectively.
- Protects Youth and Future Generations: By specifically expanding Sunday opportunities for junior and apprentice hunters, HB 1063 ensures that the next generation has more time to get into the woods without competing with school schedules.
- Modernizes DNR Authority: Rather than waiting for the legislature to debate county-by-county changes every year, this bill empowers the DNR to manage seasons based on biological data and stakeholder input, streamlined through a reporting requirement due in 2029.
Join the Fight
Don’t forget to share this update with your family, friends, and fellow sportsmen. We must speak as one. We aren’t just caretakers of our waters, woods, and wildlife anymore; we are the shield protecting a way of life under attack. These natural resources belong to the people, and we must ensure they remain out of politicians’ hands.
The future of hunting, fishing, and trapping is being decided right now. There has never been a more critical moment to stand up and be heard. Urge your family and friends to stand with you and the Sportsmen’s Alliance. The legacy we leave for the next generation depends entirely on the actions we take today.
