2013 Maryland Code
NATURAL RESOURCES
§ 10-405 - Open season for forest game birds and mammals and upland game birds and mammals; junior deer hunt

§10-405.

(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.