Legislation introduced in Maryland at the request of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources would allow deer, small game and bird hunting on Sundays in all but three Maryland counties. House Bill 173 has a hearing scheduled for Feb. 12 at 1 p.m. in the House Office Building, Room 250.
Take Action Today! Maryland sportsmen should contact their state delegates and ask them to vote YES on House Bill 173. Maryland members can find their delegates by using the Sportsmen’s Alliance Legislative Action Center.
HB 173 would allow Sunday hunting in every Maryland county except for Howard, Prince Georges and Baltimore County. A person would still not be able to hunt migratory game birds or hunt on state park land on Sundays based on the proposed language.
Currently, only seven states, including Maryland, place restrictions on Sunday hunting. Many sportsmen work six days a week, and have difficulty finding time to go afield. As one of only two weekend days, Sunday hunting restrictions make it hard for states to retain existing hunters and to recruit new ones.
Allowing Sunday hunting for game birds and deer will benefit hunters, property owners, businesses and wildlife conservation. Sportsmen contribute the vast majority of revenue for wildlife conservation in every state. In 2017, Maryland sportsmen generated more than $26 million as a result of hunting and fishing license sales and should have the opportunity to take advantage of their investment seven days a week.
“Sunday hunting leads to greater access for working sportsmen and women and provides a boost for the economy and for conservation efforts,” said Jacob Hupp, associate director of state services at the Sportsmen’s Alliance.
About the Sportsmen’s Alliance: The Sportsmen’s Alliance protects and defends America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public education, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. Stay connected to Sportsmen’s Alliance: Online, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.