HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATION PROPOSALS For 2020 …€¦ · with other popular hunting seasons...

HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATION

PROPOSALS

For 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 (All dates inclusive.)

Wildlife and Heritage Service

Tawes State Office Building E-1

580 Taylor Avenue

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

See below for the goals and background of proposed changes and the

proposed season dates and bag limits for all resident game species.

No Proposed Changes For Upland Game

Proposed Upland Game Seasons and Bag Limits

2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Species Open Season Location Daily Bag

Limit

Possession

Limit

Eastern

Cottontail Rabbit 2020-2021 Nov 7 – Feb 27

2021-2022 Nov 6 – Feb 28

All counties

4 per day 8

Crow 2020-2021

and 2021-2022 Aug 15 – Mar 15

Wed – Sat Only

All counties No Limit No Limit

Pheasant

2020-2021 Nov 7 – Feb 28

2021-2022 Nov 6 – Feb 28

All counties 2 per day,

either sex

4

Quail 2020 Nov 7 – Dec 15

2021 Nov 6 – Dec 15

Lands owned or managed by DNR

– excluding Garrett and Allegany

counties

6 per day

No more than 3

on lands owned

or managed by

DNR

12

Quail 2020-2021 Nov 7 – Jan 15

2021-2022 Nov 6 – Jan 15

Private lands west of I-83 from PA

south to I-695 to I-95 south

to VA.; excluding Garrett and

Allegany counties

Quail 2020-2021 Nov 7 – Feb 15

2021-2022 Nov 6 – Feb 15

Private lands east of I-83 from PA

south to I-695 to I-95 south to VA

Quail CLOSED SEASON Garrett and Allegany counties

Proposed Falconry Upland Game Seasons and Bag Limits

2020-2021 and 2021-2022


Limit

Possession

Limit

Eastern

Cottontail

Rabbit

(falconry)

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Nov 1 – Mar 31

All counties 4 per day 8

Quail

(falconry) 2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Nov 1 – Mar 31


Pheasant

(falconry) 2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Nov 1 – Mar 31

All counties 2 per day,

either sex

4

Proposed Falconry Forest Game Seasons & Bag Limits

2020-2021 and 2021-2022


Limit

Possession

Limit

Ruffed grouse

(falconry) 2020-2021 and

2021-2022 Oct 1 – Mar 31


Squirrel – Gray,

Eastern Fox, Red

or Piney*

(falconry)

2020-2021 and

2021-2022 Sep 1 – Mar 31

All counties

6 per day

* no limit for

Red or Piney

12

* no limit for

Red or Piney

Proposed Changes For Migratory Game Birds

Waterfowl

Proposed Action: Allow veterans of the United States Armed Forces (as defined in section

101, title 38, United States Code), and members of the Armed Forces on active duty,

including members of the National Guard and Reserves on active duty (other than for

training), to participate in a 2-day special waterfowl hunt. We propose to hold these days

concurrent with the 2 traditionally scheduled youth hunting days.

Rationale/Goal: To provide additional hunting opportunity to the military segment of the

hunting population at times of year where waterfowl hunting pressure is low. This additional

hunting opportunity may assist with various hunter recruitment and retention goals while

providing military personnel extra time to hunt with their children, families and friends.

Comments: While the two military special waterfowl hunt days are not required to be held

concurrently with existing youth hunt days, long waterfowl seasons and scheduling conflicts

with other popular hunting seasons (deer, bear, turkey) limit the number of other choices.

Furthermore scheduling military/veteran days with youth days allows families to hunt together.

This additional hunting opportunity was created by the Natural Resources Management Act

(S.47), signed into federal law on March, 2019. Three other Atlantic Flyway states (Virginia,

New Jersey, North Carolina) have scheduled Military/veteran days for the current hunting season

and all three ran them concurrent with the existing youth waterfowl hunt days. Most other AF

states are planning to incorporate these days for the 2020-21 season and plan to schedule them

concurrent with existing youth days. It is unknown how many hunters will take advantage of

this additional opportunity and what impact these 2 additional days will have on harvest.

Note Seasons, bag limits and possession limits for migratory game birds must conform to regulations

and season frameworks adopted by the Secretary of the Interior. Migratory bird hunting seasons

are proposed and public comment is solicited in a process separate from resident game species.

Anticipated changes are included here to provide an additional opportunity for public comment.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/38/101




No Proposed Changes For Forest Game (except Deer)

Proposed Forest Game Seasons & Bag Limits

2020-2021 and 2021-2022


Limit

Possession

Limit

Black Bear 2020 Oct 26 – Oct 30

2021 Oct 25 – Oct 29

Permit Required

Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and

Washington 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 2020 Oct 31– Nov 8

2021 Oct 30 – Nov 7

Allegany, Garrett, and Washington

counties

1 either sex 1 either sex

per fall/winter

season

combined

Wild Turkey,

winter season 2021 Jan 21 – Jan 23

2022 Jan 20 – Jan 22

All counties 1 either sex

Wild Turkey,

spring season,

Junior Hunt

(Hunters age 16

or younger only)

2021 Apr 17 – 18

2022 Apr 16 – 17

All counties

1 bearded

turkey

2 bearded

turkeys

per season

Wild Turkey 2021 Apr 19 – May 24

2022

Apr 18 - May 23

All counties

1 bearded

turkey

Squirrel - Gray &

Eastern Fox 2020-2021 Sep 5 – Feb 27

2021-2022 Sep 4 – Feb 28

All counties 6 per day

12

Squirrel - Red or

Piney 2020-2021 Sep 5 – Feb 27

2021-2022 Sep 4 – Feb 28


Delmarva Fox

Squirrel

CLOSED SEASON All counties

Ruffed grouse 2020-2021 Oct 3 – Jan 31

2021-2022 Oct 2 – Jan 31


Proposed Changes For Furbearers

Coyote

Proposed Action: Allow coyote hunting year-round statewide during day and night.

Rationale/Goal: This has been a common request from hunters and landowners over the last

several years. Predator hunting is increasing in popularity.

Comments: Coyotes are currently hunted year-round during daylight hours and at night between

October 15 and March 15.

Proposed Furbearer Seasons & Bag Limits

2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Species Open Season Location Daily Bag Limit Possession

Limit

Beaver

Trapping Only

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Dec 15 – Mar 15

All counties except Garrett and

Allegany counties

No Limit No Limit

Beaver

Trapping Only

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Dec 1 – Mar 15

Garrett and Allegany counties No Limit No Limit

Bobcat CLOSED SEASON All counties

Coyote

Firearms, Archery,

& Airgun Hunting

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022

Aug 1 - Jul 31

Coyotes may be hunted in all

counties year-round during both

daylight & nighttime hours

No Limit No Limit

Coyote and Long-

Tailed Weasel

Trapping Only

2020-2021 Oct 31 – Feb 1

2021-2022

Nov 1 - Feb 1

In that portion of the State WEST of

the Chesapeake Bay and the

Susquehanna River

No Limit No Limit

2020-2021 Nov 14 – Feb 15

2021-2022

Nov 15 - Feb 15

In that portion of the State EAST of


Susquehanna River

No Limit No Limit

Fox

(Red and Gray)

Trapping,

Firearms, Archery,

& Airgun Hunting

2020-2021 Oct 31 – Feb 1

2021-2022

Nov 1 - Feb 1

Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore,

Calvert, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,

Harford, Howard, Montgomery,

Prince George's, St. Mary's, and

Washington counties

No Limit No Limit

2020-2021 Nov 14 – Feb 15

Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's,

Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and

Worcester counties

No Limit No Limit

2021-2022

Nov 15 - Feb 15

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Aug 1 – Jul 31

Charles and Dorchester counties No Limit No Limit

Muskrat and Mink

Trapping Only

2020-2021 Nov 16 – Feb 15

2021-2022

Nov 15 - Feb 15

Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett,

Howard and Washington counties

No Limit No Limit

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Dec 15 – Mar 15

Baltimore, Cecil, Harford, Kent,

Queen Anne's, Somerset and

Worcester counties

No Limit No Limit

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Jan 1 – Mar 15

Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline,

Charles, Dorchester, Montgomery,

Prince George's, St. Mary's, Talbot

and Wicomico counties

No Limit No Limit

Otter

Trapping Only

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022

Dec 15 - Mar 15

In Carroll, Frederick, Howard,

Montgomery and Washington

counties

2

per day

2

per season

In all other counties (except

Allegany and Garrett counties)

10

per day

10

per season

Otter

Trapping Only

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Dec 1 – Mar 15

Garrett and Allegany counties 1

Per day

1

Per season

Raccoon and

Opossum

Chasing

No Kill

2020-2021 Aug 1 – Oct 14

Mar 16 – Jul 31

2021-2022 Aug 2 – Oct 14

Mar 16 – Jul 30

All counties

Raccoon and

Opossum

Firearms, Archery,

Airgun & Dog

Hunting

2020-2021 and 2021-

2022 Oct 15 – Mar 15

Raccoons may be hunted in all

counties day and night

No Limit

No Limit

Raccoon and

Opossum

Trapping

2020-2021 Oct 31 – Mar 15

2021-2022 Nov 1 – Mar 15

In that portion of the State WEST of


Susquehanna River

No Limit No Limit

2020-2021 Nov 14 – Mar 15

2021-2022 Nov 15 – Mar 15

In that portion of the State EAST of


Susquehanna River

No Limit No Limit

Skunk 2020-2021 Oct 31 – Mar 15


Trapping,

Firearms, Archery,

& Airgun Hunting

2021-2022 Nov 1 – Mar 15

*On lands owned or controlled by DNR in Caroline, Dorchester, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester counties only

leaseholders or their appointees can hunt or trap furbearers and nutria between Nov 15 and Mar 15.

Proposed Changes For White-tailed Deer

Proposed Action: Create an urban/suburban deer management zone to increase potential

harvest in areas with abundant deer populations. Included with this new zone will be an

unlimited antlerless archery bag limit as an element of the new proposal.

Rationale/Goal: Homeowners and others are urging the creation of this proposed new zone as an

additional option for deer management in urban/suburban areas of the State.

Comments: The proposed zone will include Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery

and Prince George’s counties. In prior seasons, fewer than five hunters harvested more than the

current archery bag limit of 15 antlerless. This change should not negatively impact the deer

population within the newly created zone but will provide an increase in localized opportunity.

Proposed Changes For White-tailed And Sika Deer

Proposed Action: Create a statewide primitive-weapon deer hunting season. Legal hunting

devices for this proposed new season will include: long bows, recurve bows, flintlock pistols

and rifles, and percussion sidelock pistols and rifles. No telescopic or modern optics will be

permitted on any hunting device.

The dates being considered for this season will be finalized after public input is received. The

options are:

Three days prior to the start of Archery Season in September (Tuesday - Thursday); OR

The first weekend (Thursday - Saturday) after the late firearms season that occurs in

January in Region B; OR

The first three consecutive legal hunting days of February.

Rationale/Goal: Adding a unique and limited opportunity can help recruit, retain, and reactivate

deer hunters. The season will be short and at a time that will minimize impacts to other user

groups.

Comments: The existing deer bag limit will apply for antlered white-tailed and sika deer

statewide and antlerless deer in Region B. An antlerless whitetail will be added to the Region A

antlerless bag limit specifically for this season. A similar four-day season exists in West

Virginia. The West Virginia deer harvest during their primitive weapon season was 0.5% of the

total statewide harvest (659 deer).

Proposed Action: Allow the use of straight-walled cartridges in centrefire rifles and

handguns in firearms deer season statewide.

Rationale/Goal: New deer hunting opportunities can help reduce overall deer populations while

helping to recruit, retain, and reactivate deer hunters

Comments: Other states added this new opportunity in recent years (Delaware, Ohio, Iowa, et al)

with no known issues. Ballistics of straight-walled cartridges are comparable to modern shotgun

ballistics.

Proposed Action: Remove the prohibition on using Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps in Deer

Management Region A. The proposed action will not change the current bag limit in

Region A. Hunters in the region will still be limited to harvesting a maximum of two

antlered deer per license year, and may not harvest more than one antlered deer in a single

weapon season.

Rationale/Goal: Bonus Antlered Deer Stamps currently can only be used in Deer Management

Region B. When deer hunters hunt in both Region A and Region B and harvest an antlered deer

in Region B first, they do not have the opportunity to harvest an antlered deer in Region A

during the same weapon season because the use of the Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp is prohibited

in Region A. However, if hunters harvest an antlered deer in Region A first, then they can use

the Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp to harvest a second antlered deer in the same weapon season in

Region B. The proposed action would create consistency in the use of Bonus Antlered Deer

Stamps, regardless of where a hunter first harvests an antlered deer.

Comments: Approximately 100 hunters (less than 0.5% of all hunters who harvested an antlered

deer) harvested antlered deer in both Region A and Region B during the 2019-2020 season. The

proposed action is not expected to change the antlered deer harvest measurably in either region.

All other bonus antlered deer requirements remain the same. Bonus antlered deer cannot be

harvested the same day that an antlered deer is taken under the regular bag limit, and only one

Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may be used per license year. Current antler restriction regulations

will not be affected by the proposed action.

Proposed 2020-2021 White-tailed Deer Seasons and Bag Limits

Antlered Deer – Statewide Definition: An antlered white-tailed deer is a deer with two or more points to one antler, or a deer with at least one antler three or more

inches long, measuring from the top of the skull as the deer is in life. Antler Point Restriction: Deer hunters may harvest one antlered deer during a license year within the established statewide bag limit

(including bonus antlered deer) that does not meet the requirement of having at least three points on one antler. Any remaining antlered

deer taken within the established bag limit must have at least three points on one antler. Antlered deer can be taken in any order. Junior

hunters (16 years old or younger) and apprentice license holders are exempt from the three antler point requirement.

Season Dates

Weapon

Bag

Limit

Total

Combined

Bag Limit

Notes

Archery

Sep 11 – Oct 21

Oct 25

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Oct 26 – Nov 27

Dec 14 – Dec 18

Jan 3

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Jan 4 – Jan 7

Jan 8 – Jan 10

(Region A only,

see

Notes)

Jan 11 – Jan 13

Jan 17

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Jan 18 – 30

1

Antlered1

2 Antlered1

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery hunters are

required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Deer

Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm Season or Junior Deer Hunt is open

in the deer management region where they are hunting. Archery hunters

in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties are required

to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Black Bear Season is open. Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include certain Sundays in

select counties. See chart.

Muzzle-

loader

Oct 22 – Oct 24

Dec 19 – Jan 2

1

Antlered1

The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may not be used during the Oct. 22 –

24, 2020 muzzleloader season. Region A muzzleloader bag limit: Only 1 deer total (antlered or

antlerless) may be taken in Region A during the October 22 – 24, 2020

muzzleloader season. Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates include certain

Sundays in select counties. See chart.

Firearm

Nov 28 – Dec 12

Jan 8 – Jan 9

(Region B only,

see

Notes)

Jan 10

(Sunday, see

Notes)

1

Antlered1

Deer Firearm Season is open during the January 2021 dates in

Region B only. Deer Archery Season is open these dates in Region A

only. Deer hunters may use archery equipment on these days in Region

B but any deer harvested must count towards the Deer Firearm Season

bag limit. Sunday deer hunting: Firearm season dates include certain Sundays in


Primitive

Season

(See

Notes)

Sept 8 – 10 or

Jan 14 – 16 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving

public comment)

See Notes

Primitive Season: Hunters may use long bows, recurve bows, flintlock,

or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during these days. The use of

telescopic or modern optics is prohibited. Antlered deer taken with long

bows and recurve bows will count towards the regular archery bag

limit. Antlered deer taken with flintlock or sidelock percussion

muzzleloaders will count towards the regular muzzleloader bag limit. Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All Primitive Season

hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink.

1The statewide antlered white-tailed deer regular bag limit is two deer total, no more than one in any weapon season. A third antlered

whitetail may be taken in Region B only with the purchase of a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp. In Region B, hunters must use a Bonus

Antlered Deer Stamp in order to take a second antlered whitetail in one weapon season or, if the hunter has already taken an antlered

whitetail in two weapon seasons under the regular bag limit, they may use the bonus stamp to take an antlered whitetail in the remaining

weapon season.

If a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail in Region B first, they may use the Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp in Region A to take another

antlered deer in the same weapon season. Hunters may not take more than two antlered whitetails total, or more than one antlered

whitetail in any weapon season, while hunting in Region A. The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp cannot be used the same day that a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail under the regular statewide bag

limit (daily antlered bag limit of one).


Antlerless Deer – Region A Allegany, Garrett & Washington (Zone 2) counties

Definition: An antlerless white-tailed deer is a female deer or male deer with no antlers or spike antlers less than three inches in length,

measuring from the top of the skull as the deer is in life.

Season Dates Weapon

Bag Limit

Total

Combined

Bag Limit

Notes

Archery

Sep 11 – Oct 21

Oct 25 – Nov 27

Dec 14 – Dec 18

Jan 3 – Jan 13

Jan 17 – 30

1 Antlerless

2

Antlerless1

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery hunters

are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Deer

Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm Season or Junior Deer

Hunt is open in the deer management region where they are

hunting. Archery hunters in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington

counties are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when

the Black Bear Season is open.

Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include certain


Muzzleloader DNR Public

Lands2

Oct 22 – Oct 24

Jan 2 1 Antlerless

Region A muzzleloader bag limit: Only 1 deer total (antlered

or antlerless) may be taken in Region A during the October 22

– 24, 2020 muzzleloader season. Muzzleloader All Other Lands

Oct 22 – Oct 24

Dec 31 – Jan 2

Firearm DNR Public

Lands2

Dec 12 1 Antlerless

Firearm All Other Lands

Dec 11 – Dec 12

Primitive

Season (See

Notes)

Sept 8 – 10 or

Jan 14 – 16 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving

public comment)

1 Antlerless 1

Antlerless1

Primitive Season: Hunters may use long bows, recurve bows,

flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during these

days. The use of telescopic or modern optics is prohibited. An

antlerless deer taken during these days does not count against

the hunter’s regular Region A antlerless bag limit.

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All Primitive

Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink. 1No more than two antlerless deer total can be taken in Region A per license year during the Archery, Muzzleloader, and Firearm

seasons combined. A third antlerless deer may be harvested during the designated Primitive Season.

2Region A DNR public lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek

Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Garrett State Forest, Green Ridge State Forest, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount

Nebo WMA, Potomac State Forest, Prather’s Neck WMA, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest,

Sideling Hill WMA, Warrior Mountain WMA, Wolf Den Run State Park, Woodmont NRMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and

Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River NEA.


Antlerless Deer – Region B Anne Arundel1, Baltimore1, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard1, Kent, Montgomery1,

Prince George’s1, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington (Zone 1), Wicomico & Worcester counties



Season Dates Total Bag

Limit Notes

Archery

Sep 11 – Oct 21

Oct 25

(Sunday, see Notes)

Oct 26 – Nov 27

Dec 14 – Dec 18

Jan 3

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 4 – Jan 7

Jan 11 – Jan 13

Jan 17

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 18 – 30

15 Antlerless

(Unlimited

antlerless in

the Suburban

Deer

Management

Zone, see

Notes)

Suburban Deer Management Zone: During the designated

Archery season, hunters in Anne Arundel, Baltimore,

Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties may use

vertical bows or crossbows to take an unlimited number of

antlerless deer.





hunting. Archery hunters in Frederick and Washington





Muzzleloader

Oct 22 – Oct 31

Dec 19 – Jan 2

10 Antlerless Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates include

certain Sundays in select counties. See chart.

Firearm

Nov 28 – Dec 12

Jan 8 – Jan 9

Jan 10

(Sunday, see Notes)

10 Antlerless

Sunday Deer Hunting: Firearm season dates include certain


Primitive Season

(See Notes)

Sept 8 – 10 or

Jan 14 – 16 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined after

receiving public comment)

See notes

Primitive Season: Hunters may use long bows, recurve

bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during

these days. The use of telescopic or modern optics is

prohibited. Antlerless deer taken with long bows and recurve

bows will count towards the Region B archery bag limit.

Antlerless deer taken with flintlock or sidelock percussion

muzzleloaders will count towards the Region B muzzleloader

bag limit.


Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink. 1Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties comprise the Suburban Deer Management Zone. This zone has an

unlimited bag limit for antlerless deer harvested during the designated archery season.

Proposed 2020-2021 Junior Deer Hunt

Antlered & Antlerless Deer

The Junior Deer Hunt is for hunters age 16 or younger only. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from

license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older. Junior hunters are not required to comply with the antler point restrictions.

Region Description Total Bag

Limit Dates Notes

Region A

White-tailed

Deer, Antlered

or Antlerless

1 deer

Nov 14

Nov 15

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Separate Bag Limit: Deer taken by Junior hunters

during the Junior Deer Hunt do not count towards the

regular archery, muzzleloader, or firearm season bag

limits.

Sunday Deer Hunting: The Junior Deer Hunt is open

on Sunday November 15, 2020 in all counties except

Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s. See chart.

Region B

White-tailed

Deer, Antlered

or Antlerless

3 deer, no

more than

1 may be

antlered

Where present

Sika Deer,

Antlered or

Antlerless

1 deer

Proposed 2020-2021 Sika Deer Seasons and Bag Limits


Definition: An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.

Season Description Dates Total Bag

Limit Notes

Archery Antlered or

Antlerless

Sep 11 – Oct 21

Oct 25

(Sunday, see Notes)

Oct 26 – Nov 27

Dec 14 – Dec 18

Jan 3

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 4 – Jan 7

Jan 11 – Jan 13

Jan 17

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 18 – 30

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery

hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink

when the Deer Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm

Season or Junior Deer Hunt is open in the deer

management region where they are hunting.

Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include


Muzzleloader

Antlered or

Antlerless Oct 22 – Oct 24

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

October 26 – 31: Deer muzzleloader season is open

during these dates in Region B only.

Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates

include certain Sundays in select counties. See chart.

Antlerless

Only

Oct 26 – 31

(Region B only)

Antlered or

Antlerless Dec 19 – Jan 2

Firearm Antlered or

Antlerless

Nov 28 – Dec 12

Jan 8 – Jan 9

Jan 10

(Sunday, see

Notes)

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

Sunday deer hunting: Firearm season dates include


Primitive

Season (See

Notes)

Antlered or

Antlerless

Sept 8 – 10 or

Jan 14 – 16 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving public

comment)

See Notes


bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders

during these days. The use of telescopic or modern

optics is prohibited. Sika deer taken with long bows and

recurve bows will count towards the sika deer archery

bag limit. Sika deer taken with flintlock or sidelock

percussion muzzleloaders will count towards the sika

deer muzzleloader bag limit.

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All

Primitive Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange

or pink.

Tentative 2020-2021 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates - Archery

County

Archery Season LANDS

OPEN Sept.

13

Sept.

20

Sept.

27

Oct.

4

Oct.

11

Oct.

18

Oct.

25

Nov.

1

Nov.

8

Nov.

15

Nov.

22

Jan.

3

Jan.

10

Jan.

17

Jan.

24

Allegany Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Anne Arundel Open Private

Only

Baltimore None

Calvert Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Caroline Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Carroll Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Cecil Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public

Charles Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Dorchester Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Frederick Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Garrett Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Harford Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Howard None

Kent Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Montgomery Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open Open Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Private

Only

Prince George’s None

Queen Anne’s Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

St. Mary’s Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public

Somerset Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Talbot Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Tentative 2020-2021 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates - Archery (continued)

County


OPEN Sept.

13

Sept.

20

Sept.

27

Oct.

4

Oct.

11

Oct.

18

Oct.

25

Nov.

1

Nov.

8

Nov.

15

Nov.

22

Jan.

3

Jan.

10

Jan.

17

Jan.

24

Washington

Region A Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Washington

Region B Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private

Only

Wicomico Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Worcester Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only 1Designated public lands open to Sunday hunting in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties are: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA,

Dan’s Mountain WMA, Earlville WMA, Garrett State Forest (SF), Green Ridge SF, Grove Farm WMA, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Old Bohemia

WMA, Potomac SF, Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF, Salem SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA, and Warrior Mountain WMA.

2Legal shooting hours for deer are one half hour before sunrise to 10:30am on this Sunday (applies only to Montgomery County where footnoted).

Tentative 2020-2021 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates – Firearm and Muzzleloader

County

Firearm Season Muzzleloader Season

LANDS OPEN Nov 15

(Jr Hunt) Nov 29 Dec 6 Jan 10 Dec 20 Dec 27

Allegany Open Open Open No

Season Open Open Private & Designated

Public1

Anne Arundel Open Open Private Only

Baltimore None

Calvert Open Open Open Open Private Only

Caroline Open Open Open Open Private Only

Carroll Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Cecil Open Open Open Open Open Open Private & Designated

Public1

Charles Open Open Open Open Private Only

Dorchester Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Frederick Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Garrett Open Open Open No


Public1

Harford Open Open Open Open Private Only

Howard None

Kent Open Open Open2 Open2 Open Open Private Only

Montgomery Open Open Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Private Only


Queen Anne’s Open Open Open Open Private Only

St. Mary’s Open Open Open Open Open Open Private & Designated

Public1

Somerset Open Open Open Open Private Only

Talbot Open Open Private Only

Washington

Region A Open Open Open No


Public1

Washington

Region B Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Wicomico Open Open Open2 Private Only

Worcester Open Open Open Open Private Only 1Designated public lands open to Sunday hunting in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties are:

Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Earlville WMA, Garrett State Forest

(SF), Green Ridge SF, Grove Farm WMA, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Old Bohemia WMA,

Potomac SF, Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF, Salem SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA, and Warrior

Mountain WMA.

2Legal shooting hours for deer are one half hour before sunrise to 10:30am on this Sunday (applies only to Kent,

Montgomery, and Wicomico counties where footnoted).


Antlered Deer – Statewide Definition: An antlered white-tailed deer is a deer with two or more points to one antler, or a deer with at least one antler three or more

inches long, measuring from the top of the skull as the deer is in life. Antler Point Restriction: Deer hunters may harvest one antlered deer during a license year within the established statewide bag limit

(including bonus antlered deer) that does not meet the requirement of having at least three points on one antler. Any remaining antlered

deer taken within the established bag limit must have at least three points on one antler. Antlered deer can be taken in any order. Junior

hunters (16 years old or younger) and apprentice license holders are exempt from the three antler point requirement.

Season Dates

Weapon

Bag

Limit

Total

Combined

Bag Limit

Notes

Archery

Sep 10 – Oct 20

Oct 24

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Oct 25 – Nov 26

Dec 13 – Dec 17

Jan 2

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Jan 3 – Jan 6

Jan 7 – Jan 9

(Region A only,

see

Notes)

Jan 10 – Jan 12

Jan 16

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Jan 17 – 31

1

Antlered1

2 Antlered1

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery hunters are

required to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Deer

Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm Season or Junior Deer Hunt is open

in the deer management region where they are hunting. Archery hunters

in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties are required

to wear fluorescent orange or pink when the Black Bear Season is open. Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include certain Sundays in


Muzzle-

loader

Oct 21 – Oct 23

Dec 18 – Jan 1

1

Antlered1

The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp may not be used during the Oct. 21 –

23, 2021 muzzleloader season. Region A muzzleloader bag limit: Only 1 deer total (antlered or

antlerless) may be taken in Region A during the October 21 – 23, 2021

muzzleloader season. Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates include certain


Firearm

Nov 27 – Dec 11

Jan 7 – Jan 8

(Region B only,

see

Notes)

Jan 9

(Sunday, see

Notes)

1

Antlered1

Deer Firearm Season is open during the January 2022 dates in

Region B only. Deer Archery Season is open these dates in Region A

only. Deer hunters may use archery equipment on these days in Region

B but any deer harvested must count towards the Deer Firearm Season

bag limit. Sunday deer hunting: Firearm season dates include certain Sundays in


Primitive

Season

(See

Notes)

Sept 7 – 9 or

Jan 13 – 15 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving

public comment)

See Notes

Primitive Season: Hunters may use long bows, recurve bows, flintlock,

or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during these days. The use of

telescopic or modern optics is prohibited. Antlered deer taken with long

bows and recurve bows will count towards the regular archery bag

limit. Antlered deer taken with flintlock or sidelock percussion

muzzleloaders will count towards the regular muzzleloader bag limit. Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All Primitive Season

hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink.

1The statewide antlered white-tailed deer regular bag limit is two deer total, no more than one in any weapon season. A third antlered

whitetail may be taken in Region B only with the purchase of a Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp. In Region B, hunters must use a Bonus

Antlered Deer Stamp in order to take a second antlered whitetail in one weapon season or, if the hunter has already taken an antlered

whitetail in two weapon seasons under the regular bag limit, they may use the bonus stamp to take an antlered whitetail in the remaining

weapon season.

If a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail in Region B first, they may use the Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp in Region A to take another

antlered deer in the same weapon season. Hunters may not take more than two antlered whitetails total, or more than one antlered

whitetail in any weapon season, while hunting in Region A. The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp cannot be used the same day that a hunter harvests an antlered whitetail under the regular statewide bag

limit (daily antlered bag limit of one).


Antlerless Deer – Region A Allegany, Garrett & Washington (Zone 2) counties



Season Dates Weapon

Bag Limit

Total

Combined

Bag Limit

Notes

Archery

Sep 10 – Oct 20

Oct 24 – Nov 26

Dec 13 – Dec 17

Jan 2 – Jan 12

Jan 16 – 31

1 Antlerless

2

Antlerless1





hunting. Archery hunters in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington





Muzzleloader DNR Public

Lands2

Oct 21 – Oct 23

Jan 1 1 Antlerless

Region A muzzleloader bag limit: Only 1 deer total (antlered

or antlerless) may be taken in Region A during the October 21

– 23, 2021 muzzleloader season. Muzzleloader All Other Lands

Oct 21 – Oct 23

Dec 30 – Jan 1

Firearm DNR Public

Lands2

Dec 11 1 Antlerless

Firearm All Other Lands

Dec 10 – Dec 11

Primitive

Season (See

Notes)

Sept 7 – 9 or

Jan 13 – 15 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving

public comment)

1 Antlerless 1

Antlerless1

Primitive Season: Hunters may use long bows, recurve bows,

flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during these

days. The use of telescopic or modern optics is prohibited. An

antlerless deer taken during these days does not count against

the hunter’s regular Region A antlerless bag limit.


Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink. 1No more than two antlerless deer total can be taken in Region A per license year during the Archery, Muzzleloader, and Firearm

seasons combined. A third antlerless deer may be harvested during the designated Primitive Season.

2Region A DNR public lands include: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Deep Creek

Lake State Park (Designated Areas Only), Garrett State Forest, Green Ridge State Forest, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount

Nebo WMA, Potomac State Forest, Prather’s Neck WMA, Rocky Gap State Park (Designated Areas Only), Savage River State Forest,

Sideling Hill WMA, Warrior Mountain WMA, Wolf Den Run State Park, Woodmont NRMA, Youghiogheny Reservoir CWMA and

Youghiogheny Scenic Wild River NEA.


Antlerless Deer – Region B Anne Arundel1, Baltimore1, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Howard1, Kent, Montgomery1,

Prince George’s1, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington (Zone 1), Wicomico & Worcester counties



Season Dates Total Bag

Limit Notes

Archery

Sep 10 – Oct 20

Oct 24

(Sunday, see Notes)

Oct 25 – Nov 26

Dec 13 – Dec 17

Jan 2

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 3 – Jan 6

Jan 10 – Jan 12

Jan 16

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 17 – 31

15 Antlerless

(Unlimited

antlerless in

the Suburban

Deer

Management

Zone, see

Notes)

Suburban Deer Management Zone: During the designated

Archery season, hunters in Anne Arundel, Baltimore,

Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties may use

vertical bows or crossbows to take an unlimited number of

antlerless deer.





hunting. Archery hunters in Frederick and Washington





Muzzleloader

Oct 21 – Oct 30

Dec 18 – Jan 1

10 Antlerless Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates include


Firearm

Nov 27 – Dec 11

Jan 7 – Jan 8

Jan 9

(Sunday, see Notes)

10 Antlerless

Sunday Deer Hunting: Firearm season dates include certain


Primitive Season

(See Notes)

Sept 7 – 9 or

Jan 13 – 15 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined after

receiving public comment)

See notes


bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders during

these days. The use of telescopic or modern optics is

prohibited. Antlerless deer taken with long bows and recurve

bows will count towards the Region B archery bag limit.

Antlerless deer taken with flintlock or sidelock percussion

muzzleloaders will count towards the Region B muzzleloader

bag limit.


Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange or pink. 1Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties comprise the Suburban Deer Management Zone. This zone has an

unlimited bag limit for antlerless deer harvested during the designated archery season.

Proposed 2021-2022 Junior Deer Hunt


The Junior Deer Hunt is for hunters age 16 or younger only. Junior hunters must be accompanied by a licensed (or exempt from

license requirement) unarmed adult age 21 or older. Junior hunters are not required to comply with the antler point restrictions.

Region Description Total Bag

Limit Dates Notes

Region A

White-tailed

Deer, Antlered

or Antlerless

1 deer

Nov 13

Nov 14

(Sunday, see

Notes)

Separate Bag Limit: Deer taken by Junior hunters

during the Junior Deer Hunt do not count towards the

regular archery, muzzleloader, or firearm season bag

limits.

Sunday Deer Hunting: The Junior Deer Hunt is open

on Sunday November 14, 2021 in all counties except

Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George’s. See chart.

Region B

White-tailed

Deer, Antlered

or Antlerless

3 deer, no

more than

1 may be

antlered

Where present

Sika Deer,

Antlered or

Antlerless

1 deer

Proposed 2021-2022 Sika Deer Seasons and Bag Limits


Definition: An antlered sika deer is a deer with at least one antler visible above the hairline.

Season Description Dates Total Bag

Limit Notes

Archery Antlered or

Antlerless

Sep 10 – Oct 20

Oct 24

(Sunday, see Notes)

Oct 25 – Nov 26

Dec 13 – Dec 17

Jan 2

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 3 – Jan 6

Jan 10 – 12

Jan 16

(Sunday, see Notes)

Jan 17 – 31

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: Archery

hunters are required to wear fluorescent orange or pink

when the Deer Muzzleloader Season, Deer Firearm

Season or Junior Deer Hunt is open in the deer

management region where they are hunting.

Sunday deer hunting: Archery season dates include


Muzzleloader

Antlered or

Antlerless Oct 21 – Oct 23

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

October 25 – 30: Deer muzzleloader season is open

during these dates in Region B only.

Sunday deer hunting: Muzzleloader season dates

include certain Sundays in select counties. See chart.

Antlerless

Only

Oct 25 – 30

(Region B only)

Antlered or

Antlerless Dec 18 – Jan 1

Firearm Antlered or

Antlerless

Nov 27 – Dec 11

Jan 7 – Jan 8

Jan 9

(Sunday, see

Notes)

3 deer, no

more than 1

antlered

Sunday deer hunting: Firearm season dates include


Primitive

Season (See

Notes)

Antlered or

Antlerless

Sept 7 – 9 or

Jan 13 – 15 or

Feb 1 – 3

(To be determined

after receiving public

comment)

See Notes


bows, flintlock, or sidelock percussion muzzleloaders

during these days. The use of telescopic or modern

optics is prohibited. Sika deer taken with long bows and

recurve bows will count towards the sika deer archery

bag limit. Sika deer taken with flintlock or sidelock

percussion muzzleloaders will count towards the sika

deer muzzleloader bag limit.

Fluorescent orange or pink requirement: All

Primitive Season hunters must wear fluorescent orange

or pink.

Tentative 2021-2022 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates - Archery

County


OPEN Sept.

12

Sept.

19

Sept.

26

Oct.

3

Oct.

10

Oct.

17

Oct.

24

Oct.

31

Nov.

7

Nov.

14

Nov.

21

Jan.

2

Jan.

9

Jan.

16

Jan.

23

Jan.

30

Allegany Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Anne

Arundel Open

Private

Only

Baltimore None

Calvert Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Caroline Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Carroll Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Cecil Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public

Charles Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Dorchester Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Frederick Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Garrett Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Harford Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Howard None

Kent Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Montgomery Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open Open Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Private

Only

Prince

George’s None

Queen

Anne’s Open Open Open Open Open

Private

Only

St. Mary’s Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public

Somerset Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Talbot Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Tentative 2021-2022 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates - Archery (continued)

County


OPEN Sept.

12

Sept.

19

Sept.

26

Oct.

3

Oct.

10

Oct.

17

Oct.

24

Oct.

31

Nov.

7

Nov.

14

Nov.

21

Jan.

2

Jan.

9

Jan.

16

Jan.

23

Jan.

30

Washington

Region A Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private &

Designated

Public1

Washington

Region B Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open Open

Private

Only

Wicomico Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only

Worcester Open Open Open Open Open Private

Only 1Designated public lands open to Sunday hunting in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties are: Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA,

Dan’s Mountain WMA, Earlville WMA, Garrett State Forest (SF), Green Ridge SF, Grove Farm WMA, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Old Bohemia

WMA, Potomac SF, Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF, Salem SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA, and Warrior Mountain WMA.

2Legal shooting hours for deer are one half hour before sunrise to 10:30am on this Sunday (applies only to Montgomery County where footnoted).

Tentative 2021-2022 Sunday Deer Hunting Dates – Firearm and Muzzleloader

County

Firearm Season Muzzleloader Season

LANDS OPEN Nov 14

(Jr Hunt) Nov 28 Dec 5 Jan 9 Dec 19 Dec 26

Allegany Open Open Open No


Public1

Anne Arundel Open Open Private Only

Baltimore None

Calvert Open Open Open Open Private Only

Caroline Open Open Open Open Private Only

Carroll Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Cecil Open Open Open Open Open Open Private & Designated

Public1

Charles Open Open Open Open Private Only

Dorchester Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Frederick Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Garrett Open Open Open No


Public1

Harford Open Open Open Open Private Only

Howard None

Kent Open Open Open2 Open2 Open Open Private Only

Montgomery Open Open Open2 Open2 Open2 Open2 Private Only


Queen Anne’s Open Open Open Open Private Only

St. Mary’s Open Open Open Open Open Open Private & Designated

Public1

Somerset Open Open Open Open Private Only

Talbot Open Open Private Only

Washington

Region A Open Open Open No


Public1

Washington

Region B Open Open Open Open Open Open Private Only

Wicomico Open Open Open2 Private Only

Worcester Open Open Open Open Private Only 1Designated public lands open to Sunday hunting in Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, St. Mary’s, and Washington counties are:

Billmeyer-Belle Grove WMA, Cunningham Swamp WMA, Dan’s Mountain WMA, Earlville WMA, Garrett State Forest

(SF), Green Ridge SF, Grove Farm WMA, Indian Springs WMA, McCoole FMA, Mount Nebo WMA, Old Bohemia WMA,

Potomac SF, Prather’s Neck WMA, Saint Inigoes SF, Salem SF, Savage River SF, Sideling Hill WMA, and Warrior

Mountain WMA.

2Legal shooting hours for deer are one half hour before sunrise to 10:30am on this Sunday (applies only to Kent,

Montgomery, and Wicomico counties where footnoted).

HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATION PROPOSALS For 2020 …€¦ · with other popular hunting seasons...

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Transcript of HUNTING AND TRAPPING REGULATION PROPOSALS For 2020 …€¦ · with other popular hunting seasons...