Dorchester County - Sunday Hunting - Repeal of Time Restriction
Summary
SB 796 would amend Maryland’s Natural Resources law governing Sunday hunting by removing the special time restriction that currently applies in Dorchester County. Under existing law, Sunday hunting in Dorchester County is generally limited to the period from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m., subject to certain seasonal exceptions. The bill strikes that Dorchester County-specific time limit, while leaving the county’s authorization for Sunday hunting in place.
The measure is narrowly focused and does not create Sunday hunting where it is not already allowed. Instead, it aligns Dorchester County more closely with other counties that have broader Sunday hunting exceptions during deer firearms season, parts of deer bow season, and spring turkey season. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, and would amend Section 10-410(a)(1) of the Natural Resources Article.
Impact
If enacted, SB 796 would change the rules for Sunday hunting in Dorchester County by repealing the county’s time-of-day restriction for Sunday hunting during game bird and game mammal seasons. This would affect hunters, landowners, and wildlife management enforcement in Dorchester County, while leaving the broader statewide framework for Sunday hunting intact. The bill amends the Natural Resources Article, Section 10-410(a)(1), and removes Dorchester County from the list of counties subject to a 10:30 a.m. cutoff.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be a targeted, technical adjustment rather than a controversial statewide policy change. Its narrow scope suggests it is intended to ease hunting access in one county without altering the overall Sunday hunting structure in Maryland. No formal support or opposition is documented in the supplied context.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the removal of the morning time restriction in Dorchester County, which may be viewed differently by hunters seeking expanded access and by residents or others who prefer limiting Sunday hunting hours. Because the bill only affects one county and does not expand Sunday hunting to new areas, any debate would likely center on local impacts, tradition, safety, and land-use concerns rather than broader statewide hunting policy. No specific opposing or supporting groups are identified in the provided record.