HB892 updates Maryland’s wildlife hunting law for Canada geese. During the migratory Canada goose hunting season, it requires the bag limit for all Canada geese in the State to match the annual bag limit set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for Atlantic population Canada geese. The bill applies this statewide rule even to geese found in the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Hunt Zone and the Atlantic Population Hunt Zone.
The bill also preserves an existing geographic carve-out: the federal-conforming bag-limit rule does not apply in Allegany, Frederick, and Garrett counties, Washington County, or the portion of Carroll County west of Route 31 and Route 97. In those areas, the current state approach remains unchanged. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, and is temporary, expiring June 30, 2030 unless extended by future legislation.
Impact
HB892 amends § 10-409 of the Natural Resources Article to align Maryland’s Canada goose bag limits with annual federal migratory bird regulations for most of the State. It changes how the Department of Natural Resources sets hunting limits by tying them to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determinations, while leaving certain western Maryland counties and part of Carroll County outside the new rule. The bill affects hunters, wildlife managers, and enforcement of migratory bird hunting seasons, and it creates a five-year sunset so the General Assembly can revisit the policy.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support. It passed the House on third reading by a unanimous 135-0 vote, and the committee report was favorable with amendments. No committee transcript is available, but the voting record suggests little opposition and a generally positive view of the measure.
Contention
The main policy issue is the balance between state control and federal conformity in setting hunting bag limits. Supporters likely favored consistency with federal migratory bird rules and simplified management of Canada goose hunting, while the retained exemptions for several western counties indicate sensitivity to regional differences in goose populations or hunting conditions. The temporary five-year duration also suggests an intent to monitor the effects before making the change permanent.