Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife & Heritage Service

Final Proposed Hunting and Trapping Regulations
For Both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 Hunting License Years
(Note: All dates inclusive.  Maryland's hunting license year is August 1 to July 31)

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Proposed Deer Seasons & Bag Limits

Proposed Upland Game Seasons & Bag Limits

Proposed Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Bag Limits

Proposed Forest Game Seasons & Bag Limits

Proposed Furbearer Game Seasons & Bag Limits

Other Proposals

Proposed Changes for Deer

 

1.  Establish a separate bag limit for the Junior Hunt day in Regions A and B. 

Background/Justification: 
Under current regulations, youth hunters who harvest deer (white-tailed and sika deer) during the Junior Hunt day have limited hunting opportunity during later portions of the Firearms Season.  For example, if an antlered deer is harvested during the Junior Hunt in Region A, that youth hunter may not hunt again during the Firearms Season until the antlerless deer season opens later in the season.  This proposal would allow successful youth hunters to continue hunting throughout the firearms season in accordance with the regular Firearms Season bag limits.  The proposed bag limits mirror current Junior Hunt day bag limits, but stand independent from the Season Limit.

 

2. Increase the length of the ‘Antlered or Antlerless’ segment of the Region A Firearms Season to 2 days on private land only.

Background/Justification: 
The current one-day antlerless season in Region A limits the ability of private landowners to manage deer herds via the normal hunting season.  Environmental factors such as weather or mast production can heavily influence the regional harvest, especially when limited to one day.  This proposed change would allow agricultural producers an extended opportunity to harvest deer without the need to rely on Deer Management Permits.  This proposed change would affect private lands only, DNR Public lands would continue with one day of antlerless hunting during the Firearms Season in Region A. 

 

3.  Restrict the number of antlerless deer that a hunter may harvest on public lands in Region A to 2. 

 

Background/Justification: 
Currently, hunters may harvest up to 3 antlerless deer per year in Region A (one each during the Firearms, Muzzleloader, and Bow seasons).  This concept would limit Region A deer hunters to taking no more than 2 of their overall Region A bag limit on public lands.  Region A harvest data indicates that the deer population is increasing in the region due to management efforts implemented in the last several years.  However, the response of the Region A deer herd on public lands has been slower than growth experienced on private lands.  The expectation is that this proposed change would allow additional herd growth on public lands. 

 

4.  Allow crossbows to be used during the entire Bow Season in the ‘Suburban Deer Archery Zone’.  This zone includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

 

Background/Justification: 
Currently, crossbows may be used in the ‘Suburban Deer Archery Zone’ during the crossbow segment of the Bow Season.   This concept would allow the use of this weapon during the entire Bow Season in these selected counties.  The expectation is that this proposed change would help meet our goal of increasing the deer harvest in the ‘Suburban Deer Archery Zone’ through increased hunter participation during the Bow Season.

Region A: Proposed Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010

Allegany and Garrett counties

Region A: White-tailed Deer Bow Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless*
2008-09 Sep 15 - Oct 15 Oct 20 - Nov 28 Dec 15- Dec 19 Jan 5 - Jan 31 2009-10 Sep 15 - Oct 21 Oct 26 - Nov 27 Dec 14 - Dec 18 Jan 4 - Jan 30
* Hunters may harvest up to 3 antlerless deer per year in Region A (one each during the Bow, Firearms, and Muzzleloader seasons).  However, hunters may not take more than 2 of their overall Region A antlerless bag limit on public lands.  Antlerless deer harvested on Junior Hunt Day are excluded from this restriction.
Region A: DNR Public Lands Description: Region A DNR Public Lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Green Ridge State Forest, Mount Nebo WMA, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest, Sideling Hill WMA (Allegany County Only), Warrior Mountain WMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River.
Special Regulation for Nov 15, 2008 & Nov 14, 2009: (1) Bowhunters must wear fluorescent orange; (2) Any deer taken with a bow on these dates must count towards the Bow Season Bag Limits.
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the Oct 1-15, 2008 and Jan 15 - 31, 2009; Oct 1 - 15, 2009 and Jan 15 - 30, 2010 segments of the Deer Bow Season.
Sunday Deer Hunting:  Deer Bow Season is open on Sunday, Nov 2, 2008 and Sunday Nov 1, 2009 in Allegany and Garrett counties on private land only. NOTE: DNR has supported a repeal of Maryland's Sunday hunting laws. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature

 

Region A: White-tailed Deer Firearm Junior Hunt* Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 1 deer may be taken on these dates)	Total bag limit:  1 Antlered or 1 Antlerless
Junior Hunt* 2008 Nov 15 2009 Nov 14
* Hunters age 16 or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older.

 

Region A: White-tailed Deer Firearms Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	DNR Public Lands	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless*
2008 Nov 29 - Dec 12 2009 Nov 28 - Dec 11	Antlered Only
2008 Dec 13 2009 Dec 12	Antlered or Antlerless
Open Season	All Other Lands
2008 Nov 29 - Dec 11  2009 Nov 28 - Dec 10	Antlered Only
2008 Dec 12 - Dec 13 2009 Dec 11 - Dec 12	Antlered or Antlerless
* Hunters may harvest up to 3 antlerless deer per year in Region A (one each during the Firearms, Bow, and Muzzleloader seasons).  However, hunters may not take more than 2 of their overall Region A antlerless bag limit on public lands.  Antlerless deer harvested on Junior Hunt Day are excluded from this restriction.
Region A: DNR Public Lands Description: Region A DNR Public Lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Green Ridge State Forest, Mount Nebo WMA, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest, Sideling Hill WMA (Allegany County Only), Warrior Mountain WMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River.
Sunday Deer Hunting:  Deer Firearms Season is open on Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 and Sunday Nov 29, 2009 in Allegany and Garrett counties on private land only. NOTE: DNR has supported legislation to expand Sunday hunting. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature

 

Region A: White-tailed Deer Muzzleloader Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	DNR Public Lands	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless*
2008 Oct 16 - Oct 18 2009 Oct 22 - Oct 24	Antlered Only (Only 1 deer may be taken on these dates)
2008 Dec 20 - Jan 2 2009 Dec 19 - Jan 1	Antlered Only
2008 Jan 3 2009 Jan. 2	Antlered or Antlerless
Open Season	All Other Lands
2008 Oct. 16 - 18 2009 Oct 22 - 24	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 1 deer may be taken on these dates)
2008 Dec 20 – Dec 31 2009 Dec 19 – Dec 30	Antlered Only
2008 Jan. 1 – Jan 3 2009 Dec 31 – Jan 2	Antlered or Antlerless
* Hunters may harvest up to 3 antlerless deer per year in Region A (one each during the Muzzleloader, Bow, and Firearms seasons).  However, hunters may not take more than 2 of their overall Region A antlerless bag limit on public lands.  Antlerless deer harvested on Junior Hunt Day are excluded from this restriction.
Region A: DNR Public Lands Description: Region A DNR Public Lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Green Ridge State Forest, Mount Nebo WMA, Potomac-Garrett State Forest, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest, Sideling Hill WMA (Allegany County Only), Warrior Mountain WMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River.

Region B: Proposed Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010  

Anne Arundel*, Baltimore*, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester,
Frederick, Harford, Howard*, Kent, Montgomery*, Prince George's*, Queen Anne's,
St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties

* Suburban deer archery zone of Region B:
For bow hunting only: unlimited antlerless deer
may be taken in these counties during the open bow season only.

Region B: White-tailed Deer Bow Seasons & Bag Limits
2 antlerless deer must be taken before a second antlered deer can be taken.  A Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp is required to take a second antlered deer.
Open season	Antlered or Antlerless	Total Bag Limit: 2 Antlered 10 Antlerless * Unlimited Antlerless in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties
2008-09 Sep 15 - Oct 15 Oct 20 - Nov 28 Dec 15 - Dec 19 Jan 5 - Jan 8 Jan 12- Jan 31 2009-10 Sep 15 - Oct 21 Oct 26 - Nov 27 Dec 14 - Dec 18 Jan. 4 - Jan 7 Jan 11 - Jan 30
Special Regulation for Oct 20 – 25, 2008; Oct 26 – 31, 2009; Nov 15, 2008; Nov 14, 2009: (1) Bowhunters must wear fluorescent orange; (2) Any deer taken with a bow on these dates must count towards the Bow Season Bag Limits.
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the Oct. 1 – 15, 2008 and Jan 15 - 31, 2009; Oct 1 - 15, 2009 and Jan 15 - 30, 2010 segments of the Deer Bow Season.
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the entire Bow Season in the ‘Suburban Deer Archery Zone’.  This zone includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Sunday Deer Hunting:  In Dorchester, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties on private lands only – Bow Season is open on Sundays October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2008.  Bow Season is open on Sundays October 11, October 18, October 25, November 1, and November 8, 2009. In Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Washington counties on private lands only - Bow Season is open on Sunday, November 2, 2008.  Bow Season is open on Sunday, November 1, 2009. NOTE: DNR has supported legislation to expand Sunday hunting. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature
Region B Suburban Deer Archery Zone - Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties:  During the Bow Season, bow hunters may take an unlimited number of antlerless deer within Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The Bow Season antlerless bag limit for all other Region B counties is 10. All antlerless deer taken with a bow in the Bow Hunting Suburban Zone will be recorded on the hunter’s Big Game Harvest Record. If a hunter needs another Big Game Harvest Record, one can be printed at a Maryland Sports License Agent.

 

Region B: White-tailed Deer Firearms Junior Hunt Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 3 deer may be taken on these dates)	Total bag Limit: 3 deer  No more than 1 Antlered
Junior Hunt* 2008 Nov 15 2009 Nov 14
* Hunters age 16 or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older.

 

Region B: White-tailed Deer Firearms Seasons & Bag Limits
2 antlerless deer must be taken before a second antlered deer can be taken. A Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp is required to take a second antlered deer.
Open Season
2008-09 Nov 29 - Dec 13 Jan 9 – Jan 10 2009-10 Nov 28 - Dec 12 Jan 8 - Jan 9	Antlered or Antlerless	Total Bag Limit: 2 Antlered 10 Antlerless
Sunday Deer Hunting:  Deer Firearms Season is open on Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 and Sunday, Nov 29, 2009 in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Montgomery, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Wicomico, Washington and Worcester counties on private land only. NOTE: DNR has supported legislation to expand Sunday hunting. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature

 

Region B: White-tailed Deer Muzzleloader Seasons & Bag Limits
2 antlerless deer must be taken before a second antlered deer can be taken.  A Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp is required to take a second antlered deer.
Dates
2008 Oct 16- Oct 18 2009 Oct 22- Oct 24	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 1 Antlered deer may be taken during these dates)	Total Bag Limit: 2 Antlered 10 Antlerless
2008 Oct 20- Oct 25 2009 Oct 26- Oct 31	Antlerless Only
2008 Dec 20- Jan 3  2009 Dec 19- Jan 2	Antlered or Antlerless

Sika Deer

Proposed Sika Deer Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010

Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset,
Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties only
 

Sika Deer Bow Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless
2008-09 Sep 15 - Oct 15 Oct 20 - Nov 28 Dec 15 - Dec 19 Jan 5 - Jan 31 2009-10 Sep 15 - Oct 21 Oct 26 - Nov 27 Dec 14 - Dec 18 Jan 4 -  Jan 30
Special Regulation for Oct 20 – 25, 2008;  Oct 26 – 31, 2009;  Nov 15, 2008;  Nov 14, 2009: (1) Bowhunters must wear fluorescent orange; (2) Any deer taken with a bow on these dates must count towards the Bow Season Bag Limits.
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the Oct 1 – 15, 2008 and Jan 15 - 31, 2009; Oct 1 - 15, 2009 and Jan 15 - 30, 2010 segments of the Deer Bow Season.
Sunday Deer Hunting: Deer Bow Season is open on Sundays, October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2, and November 9, 2008 in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties on private land only.  Bow Season is open on Sundays October 11, October 18, October 25, November 1, and November 8, 2009 in Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties on private land only. Deer Bow Season is open on Sunday, November 2, 2008 and on Sunday, November 1, 2009 in Caroline and Talbot counties on private land only. NOTE: DNR has supported legislation to expand Sunday hunting. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature

Sika Deer Firearms Junior Hunt* Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 1 deer may be taken on these dates)	Total bag Limit: 1 Antlered or 1 Antlerless
Junior Hunt* 2008 Nov 15 2009 Nov 14
* Hunters age 16 or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older.

Sika Deer Firearms Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless
2008 Nov 29– Dec 13   2009 Nov 28– Dec 12
Sunday Deer Hunting:  Sika Deer Firearms Season is open on Sunday, Nov 30, 2008 and Sunday Nov 29, 2009 in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot Wicomico, and Worcester Counties on private land only. NOTE: DNR has supported legislation to expand Sunday hunting. However, current Maryland law prohibits DNR from amending Sunday hunting restrictions through the regulatory process and without approval from the Maryland Legislature

Sika Deer Muzzleloader Seasons & Bag Limits
Open Season	Antlered or Antlerless (Only 1 sika deer may be taken on these dates)	Total Bag Limit: 1 Antlered 1 Antlerless
2008 Oct 16 - Oct 18 2009 Oct 22 - Oct 24
2008 Dec 20 - Jan 3 2009 Dec 19 - Jan 2	Antlered or Antlerless

Proposed Changes for Migratory Game Birds

Season, bag limit, and possession limit for migratory game birds must conform to regulations and season frameworks adopted by the Secretary of the Interior.  To provide additional opportunity for public involvement in this process, the Department will present the following proposals for select migratory species with the understanding that they will be subject to conformance with forthcoming Federal frameworks. 

Proposed Changes for Waterfowl
Light Geese (Greater and Lesser Snow Geese, Ross’s Geese)

1.  Allow special light goose hunting methods when and where appropriate and utilize the Light Goose Spring Conservation Hunting Season if allowed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Background/Justification:
The use of farmland for foraging has increased the carrying capacity of the wintering and staging ranges of the greater snow goose population.  This has led to conflict with agricultural interests, and with the rapid increase of the population, grazing pressure on many natural marshes remains high. Since 1998, the conditions of natural habitats used by the greater snow goose have not changed significantly and no additional degradation has been observed. However, it is difficult to determine if this situation is associated with the stabilization of the population size, the effect of possibly more favorable weather conditions in recent years (especially in the Arctic region), or to an increased use of farmland during the migration and wintering periods.

With the aim of determining a suitable target population size based on ecological and social considerations, a recent study showed that a spring population ranging from 500,000 to 750,000 would result in optimal benefits to society.  The Atlantic Flyway 2007 spring population estimate was 1,019,000 birds.   Thus, the liberalization of light goose hunting regulations is intended to increase the harvest of light geese, particularly greater snow geese, with the goal of reducing the greater snow goose population to a more optimal population level.  Implementation of spring conservation hunting regulations for light geese may increase the greater snow goose harvest in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway sufficiently to reach the optimal population size. 

Regular 107-day Light Goose Hunting Season

Preliminary Statewide Dates for 2008-2009: October 11 - November 28, 2008 and December 2, 2008 - February 14, 2009. Legal Goose Species: greater snow goose, lesser snow goose (white and blue phase), and Ross’s goose. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 15 per day and no possession limit. Special Hunting Methods: electronic calls, unplugged shotguns and extended shooting hours to one-half hour after sunset would be employed during the regular season only in areas and at times when other waterfowl seasons are closed.

Light Goose Spring Conservation Hunting Season (Conservation Order)

Preliminary Statewide Dates:  February 16 - April 11, 2009.  Licenses and Special Permits: All normal hunting licenses and permits for waterfowl hunting EXCEPT: A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (e.g., federal duck stamp) is NOT required and a free Spring Light Goose Conservation Season Permit is required. Legal Goose Species: greater snow goose, lesser snow goose (white and blue phase), and Ross’s goose. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: No daily or possession limit on light geese. Shooting Hours: Shooting hours for 2009 Spring Light Goose Hunting Season shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. Special Hunting Methods: Electronic calls as well as shotguns (no larger than 10 gauge) capable of holding in excess of 3 shells may be used to take light geese during the 2009 Spring Light Goose Hunting Season.

 

Proposed Early Waterfowl Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010

Species	Open Season	Location	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Early Resident Canada Goose Eastern Zone	2008 and 2009 Sept 1 -15	Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.	8 per day	16
Early Resident Canada Goose Western Zone	2008 and 2009 Sept 1- 25	Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George’s County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.	8 per day	16
Teal	To be determined when breeding survey data is available	Hunt Area: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George’s County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.	4 teal (blue-winged or green-winged teal) singly, or in aggregate	8

 

Proposed Changes for Webless Migratory Game Birds

Mourning Doves
1.  Increase the daily bag limit to 15 birds/day if the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service changes the federal framework from 70 days and 12 birds/day to 70 days and 15 birds/day.

Background/Justification:
States in the Eastern Management Unit (includes Maryland) currently have a choice of either a 60-day season with 15 birds/day or a 70-day season with 12 birds/day.  Maryland has always selected the 70-day season with 12 birds/day.  In the near future, we anticipate that the federal framework options will be eliminated in favor of a 70-day season and 15 birds/day.  The purpose of this proposed change is to allow a more straightforward assessment of the effects of hunting on dove populations in the Eastern Management Unit.  The proposed change is expected to increase the dove harvest by 3-5%.  Population surveys for mourning doves in Maryland and the Eastern Management Unit indicate a gradually increasing population over the last 40 years.  We anticipate no impact of the bag limit increase on the mourning dove population.

Proposed Webless Migratory Game Bird Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010

Species	Open Season	Location	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Woodcock	2008-09 Nov 8 – Nov 28 Jan 16 – Jan 24   2009-10 Nov 7 – Nov 27 Jan 15 – Jan 23	All counties	3 per day	6
Mourning Dove	2008-09 Sep 1  - Oct 11 Nov 15 – Nov 28 Dec 20 - Jan 3   2009-10 Sep 1  - Oct 10 Nov 14 – Nov 27 Dec 18 – Jan 2	All counties	15 per day*	30
Clapper & King Rails	2008 Sep 1 – Nov 8 2009 Sep 1 – Nov 9	All counties	10 per day (no more than 1 King Rail)	20
Sora & Virginia Rails	2008 Sep 1 – Nov 8  2009 Sep 1 – Nov 9	All counties	25 per day	25
Common Snipe	2008-09 Sep 24 – Nov 28 Dec 15 – Jan 24 2009-10 Sep 30 - Nov 27 Dec 14 - Jan 30	All counties	8 per day	16

* If approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 

Proposed Changes for Upland Game

 

Eastern Cottontail Rabbit

1.  Extend the open season to the end of February.

Background/Justification: 
The current open season on rabbits extends through February 15^th.  The opening date of the season would remain the same.  It is expected that this concept would have minimal impact on rabbit populations across the state while affording additional recreational opportunity to rabbit hunters. 

 Proposed Upland Game Seasons and Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010
 

Species	Open Season	Location	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit	2008-09 Nov 1 - Feb 28 2009-10 Nov 7 - Feb 27	All counties	4 per day	8
Snowshoe Hare	CLOSED SEASON
Quail	2008-09 Nov 1 - Jan 15 2009-10 Nov 7 - Jan 15	West of I-83 from PA south to I-695 to I-95 south to VA. ; excluding Garrett and Allegany counties	6 per day	12
Quail	2008-09 Nov 1 - Feb 14  2009-10 Nov 7 - Feb 15	East of I-83 from PA south to I-695 to I-95 south to VA	6 per day	12
Quail	CLOSED SEASON	Garrett and Allegany counties
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, Quail (falconry)	2008-09 Nov 1 - Mar 31  2009-10 Nov 7 - Mar 31	All counties	4 per day	8
Pheasant (male only)	2008-09 Nov 1 - Dec 31 2009-10 Nov 7 - Dec 31	All counties	1 per day	2
Pheasant  (falconry, both sexes)	2008-09 Nov 1 - Mar 31 2009-10 Nov 7 - Mar 31	All counties	1 per day	2
Crow	2008-09 and 2009-10 Aug 15 - Mar 15  Wed - Sat Only	All counties	No Limit	No Limit

Proposed Changes for Forest Game (except deer)

Black Bear
1. Modify the current ‘no feeding’ regulation to include unintentional feeding of black bears.

Background/Justification:
The current regulation states that a person may not ‘overtly’ place food products to attract bears.  Therefore, anyone who feeds deer, turkeys, or other wildlife cannot be charged for creating a nuisance situation.  This proposed regulation would allow NRP officers to issue warnings and citations to citizens who are creating a nuisance situation where bears are becoming habituated to people or human activities and cause a threat to human safety.  Under the proposed regulation, citizens will be given the opportunity to remove attractants and cease feeding activities prior to being charged.

2.  Modify the regulatory language regarding the target harvest rate to allow the Service flexibility in methods for attaining the target harvest rate.

Background/Justification: 
Since Maryland’s first modern bear hunting season in 2004, the Wildlife & Heritage Service has kept harvest at the desired level by establishing a targeted harvest rate (i.e. a quota) and ending the hunt when the quota was reached.  It has taken between one and four days of hunting to reach the targeted harvest rate.  As more bear seasons are held, the WHS will be increasingly able to predict daily harvest and ultimately can manage harvest by setting the open season at a given number of hunting days versus using a quota hunt.  This proposed change would allow the Service the flexibility to reach a desired harvest level by setting a targeted harvest rate and ending the hunt when it is reached (as it has in the past) or by establishing a set number of days for the hunt.

Wild Turkey
1.  Allow crossbows to be used to hunt wild turkeys. 

Background/Justification:
Shotguns and vertical bows are currently allowed for hunting turkeys in the spring season.  In the fall season, rifles and handguns are also permitted.  Allowing crossbows in both of these seasons would not significantly increase harvest rates or create safety concerns.  One-half of the spring turkey hunters surveyed in 2007 supported allowing crossbows and 17% had no opinion.  This proposed change would permit crossbows to be used in the spring or fall season for turkeys.

Proposed Forest Game Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010
 

Species	Open Season	Location	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Black Bear	2008 Oct 20 - Oct 25 Dec 8 - Dec 13   2009 Oct 26 - Oct 31 Dec 7 - Dec 12   Permit Required	Allegany and Garrett counties	1 per day with no more than 1 per permitted bear hunting team	1 per season with no more than 1 per permitted bear hunting team
Wild Turkey, fall season, either sex	2008 Oct 25 - Nov 1 2009 Oct 31 - Nov 7	Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties	1	1
Wild Turkey, spring season, Junior Hunt*	2009 April 11 2010 April 17	All counties	1 bearded turkey	2 bearded turkeys or 1 bearded turkey if a turkey was taken during the fall season
Wild Turkey	2009 Apr 18 - May 23 2010 Apr 19 - May 24	All counties	1 bearded turkey
Squirrel - Gray & Eastern Fox	2008-09 Sep 6 - Feb 28 2009-10 Sep 5 - Feb 27	All counties	6 per day	12
Squirrel - Gray & Eastern Fox (falconry)	2008-09 Sep 6 - Mar 31 2009-10 Sep 5 - Mar 31	All counties	6 per day	12
Squirrel - Red or Piney	2008-09 Sep 6 - Feb 28 2009-10 Sep 5 - Feb 27	All counties	No Limit	No Limit
Squirrel - Red or Piney (falconry)	2008-09 Sep 6 - Mar 31 2009-10 Sep 5 - Mar 31	All counties	No Limit	No Limit
Delmarva Fox Squirrel	CLOSED SEASON	In All Counties
Ruffed grouse	2008-09 Oct 4 - Jan 31 2009-10 Oct 3 - Jan 30	All counties	2 per day	4
Ruffed grouse (falconry)	2008-09 Oct 4 - Mar 31 2009-10 Oct 3 - Mar 31	All counties	2 per day	4
* Hunters age 16 or younger only; must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older.

 

Proposed Changes for Furbearers

River Otter 
1.  Increase the bag/possession limit from 1 to 2 in Carroll, Frederick, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties.

2.  Increase the bag/possession limit from 5 to 10 in all remaining counties except Allegany and Garrett, where the season will remain closed.   

Background/Justification: 
Otter are currently distributed statewide with the highest population densities occurring in, or adjacent to the tidewater region. Tidewater and coastal otter habitat types found in Maryland are expansive and similar to those found in the surrounding states of Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. In these and most other coastal southeastern states there is an unlimited bag limit on otter in the coastal/tidewater influenced portions of these states.

Between the 1996-97 and 2006-07 seasons, the statewide harvest has remained relatively stable averaging 259 otters per season.  Although some trappers consistently limit out, the percentage of the available bag limit that individuals harvested was approximately 60% during 2005-06, and 52% in 2006-07 (in counties with a season limit of 5). Since most trappers do not approach the limit, increasing it should provide additional recreation and income for the more proficient trappers without substantially increasing harvest. 

It is not expected that the increased bag/possession limits would negatively impact otter populations. An additional benefit resulting from increased otter bag and possession limits will directly benefit those trappers who target beavers.  This proposed change would allow beaver trappers to continue trapping for a longer period of time with less risk of exceeding the otter limit through incidental harvest.

Fisher 
1.  Increase the bag/possession limit from 1 to 2 per year.

Background/Justification: 
Fisher distribution in Maryland has expanded to include Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties. Maryland’s population is part of a contiguous population that extends through southern West Virginia, portions of Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

The first recorded harvest of fisher occurred during the winter of 1977-78 when two animals were incidentally trapped. Maryland established its first legal harvest season during 1978-79 when one animal was trapped. From that time through the mid 1990s, the average total fisher harvest was three animals per year. During the 1998-99 season harvest increased to five animals. A pronounced increase in harvest trends began during the 1999-2000 season when 16 animals were harvested. During the 2006-07 season, the highest recorded harvest of fisher occurred when 45 animals were taken.

Based on the expansion and physical extent of the contiguous fisher population throughout the central Appalachian region and Maryland’s increasing harvest trend data, an increased bag limit is not expected to negatively impact the fisher population.  This proposal would provide additional recreational opportunities for trappers and hunters.

Proposed Furbearer Seasons & Bag Limits
2008-2009 and 2009-2010

Species	Open Season	Location	Daily Bag Limit	Possession Limit
Fox (Red and Gray)	2008-09 Nov 1 - Jan 19  2009-10 Nov 2 – Jan 19	Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, and Washington counties	No Limit	No Limit
	2008-09 Nov 15 – Jan 31  2009-10 Nov 16 – Jan 30	Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties	No Limit	No Limit
	2008-09 and 2009-10 Aug 1 - Jul 31	Charles and Dorchester counties	No Limit