Wicomico County - Sunday Hunting Time Restrictions - Repeal
Summary
HB654 would repeal a specific Sunday hunting time restriction in Wicomico County. Under current law, Sunday hunting in Wicomico County is allowed for game birds and game mammals on certain Sundays, but generally only from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m. The bill removes that time limit for Wicomico County on both private property and public land designated for Sunday hunting, while leaving the county in the list of places where Sunday hunting is otherwise permitted.
The bill also makes conforming changes to the public-land Sunday hunting provisions in § 10-410 of the Natural Resources Article. In practice, that means hunters in Wicomico County would no longer be subject to the morning-only window on eligible Sundays, aligning the county more closely with other counties that already have broader Sunday hunting access during certain seasons. The bill is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB654 amends Maryland’s Natural Resources Article, § 10-410, by deleting Wicomico County from the subsection that imposes a 30-minute-before-sunrise to 10:30 a.m. Sunday hunting limit. It also removes the parallel time restriction for Wicomico County on public land designated for hunting, while retaining the county’s eligibility for Sunday hunting under the broader statutory framework. The practical effect is to expand hunting hours for game birds and game mammals on Sundays in Wicomico County, affecting hunters, landowners, and the Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Sunday hunting rules.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available evidence suggests a straightforward, locally focused measure with no documented opposition in the provided materials. The bill is framed as a repeal of a time restriction rather than a major policy change, which typically indicates support from the sponsoring county delegation for expanding hunting access. No recorded roll-call or hearing transcript is available here to show broader legislative sentiment.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between expanded hunting access and concerns about safety, noise, and land-use impacts on Sundays, especially for residents and non-hunters in Wicomico County. Supporters would likely view the bill as a local autonomy and sportsmen’s access issue, while opponents could argue that removing the time restriction increases disruption and reduces protections for other Sunday activities. Because no committee transcript or vote history is provided, specific named objections or supporters cannot be identified from the record supplied.