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§ 10-602. Hunting wild waterfowl restrictions

West's Annotated Code of MarylandNatural Resources

West's Annotated Code of Maryland
Natural Resources
Title 10. Wildlife (Refs & Annos)
Subtitle 6. Wild Waterfowl (Refs & Annos)
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-602
§ 10-602. Hunting wild waterfowl restrictions
Currentness
Nighttime defined
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subtitle, “nighttime” means the time the Secretary of Interior of the United States adopts by rule or regulation.
Nighttime hunting
(b) A person may not hunt wild waterfowl in the State at nighttime in any manner whether from the shore or otherwise. A person may not possess at nighttime any gun or light used for hunting wild waterfowl in or near the vicinity of feeding and resting grounds. Any gun or light found in possession shall be prima facie evidence of intention of a violation of this section, and the light shall be confiscated and turned over to the Secretary.
Hunting wild waterfowl on land or water
(c)(1) A person may not shoot a wild waterfowl resting on land or water.
(2) A person who wounds and cripples a wild waterfowl may shoot the waterfowl.
Hunting wild waterfowl in the air
(d) A person may not hunt wild waterfowl from a position located more than 10 feet in the air.
Shotguns
(e)(1) The only firearm that a person may use to hunt wild waterfowl is a shotgun fired from the shoulder.
(2) A shotgun used to hunt wild waterfowl may not be larger than a 10 gauge or loaded with shot not approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
(3) While hunting or attempting to hunt wild waterfowl, a person may not possess shotgun shells that are loaded with shot not approved by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Automatic loading or hand-operated repeating shotguns
(f)(1) Subject to federal rule or regulation, the prohibition of this subsection does not apply to an automatic loading or hand-operated repeating shotgun with a magazine that is cut off or that is plugged with a one-piece filler incapable of removal through the loading end that reduces the capacity of the gun to hold no more than three shells at any one time in the magazine and chamber combined.
(2) A person may not hunt a wild waterfowl with an automatic loading or hand-operated repeating shotgun capable of holding more than three shells.
(3) A person may not possess a rifle or pistol while hunting wild waterfowl.
Bow and arrow
(g)(1) A person may hunt wild waterfowl with any bow and arrow.
(2) A person may not hunt wild waterfowl with a crossbow.
Dogs or artificial decoys
(h)(1) A person may hunt wild waterfowl with the aid of a dog or with an artificial decoy.
(2) A person may not hunt wild waterfowl using a live decoy.

Credits

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 1991, c. 55, § 1; Acts 1999, c. 703, § 2, eff. May 1, 2000; Acts 2000, c. 627, § 1, eff. June 1, 2000.
Formerly Art. 66C, § 163.
MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-602, MD NAT RES § 10-602
Current through legislation effective through April 25, 2024, from the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly. Some statute sections may be more current, see credits for details.
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