Contact: Joe Mullin, Northeastern States Manager
Why it Matters: Sunday hunting bans are one of the last remaining examples of the puritanical blue laws, but in recent years, much progress has been made towards lessening these restrictions. In Maryland, Sunday hunting for all game birds and mammals on Sundays is authorized in select counties, but restrictions remain for much of the state. Removing, even lessening Sunday hunting prohibitions offers the state a variety of advantages. Legislative efforts that encourage and expand the abilities of hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers by increasing access and opportunities have the potential to immediately bolster financial support for state fish and wildlife agencies, thus, supporting their mission-driven conservation projects.
On May 16, Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus Member Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland signed seven Sunday hunting bills into law, capping a successful year overall in providing seven-day hunting seasons to Maryland’s sportsmen and women. Throughout the year, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation submitted written testimony to various committees in support of additional Sunday hunting authorizations for the state. In a general sense, Maryland is in a somewhat unique position, as Sunday hunting is permitted in select counties, but restrictions remain for other areas of the state. This patchwork of restrictions can cause unnecessary confusion for sportsmen and women.
The pro-sportsmen’s bills that Governor Hogan signed into law, further expanding Sunday hunting opportunities within the Old Line State are included below with their respective descriptions and effective dates:
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
