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SB 796

Dorchester County - Sunday Hunting - Repeal of Time Restriction

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Johnny Mautz

Dorchester County hunters may hunt Sundays for the full duration of applicable seasons for non-migratory birds and mammals, removing the previous morning-only time limit.

Hearing 3/04 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 796

SB 796 — Dorchester County: Sunday Hunting — Repeal of Time Restriction (Maryland)

Purpose / Intent

SB 796 removes the statutory time limit that currently restricts when the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) may authorize Sunday hunting in Dorchester County. The bill authorizes DNR to allow Sunday hunting for game birds and game mammals in Dorchester County during the open seasons without the existing time window limitation.

Key provisions

  • Repeals the phrase that limited Sunday hunting in Dorchester County to “from 30 minutes before sunrise until 10:30 a.m.” in Maryland Natural Resources § 10‑410(a)(1).
  • Leaves existing subject‑matter limits intact: DNR’s authorization continues to exclude migratory game birds (i.e., the change applies to non‑migratory game birds and game mammals).
  • Maintains DNR’s authority to set and manage seasons and to designate lands where Sunday hunting is allowed.

Who is affected

  • Hunters in Dorchester County: may be allowed to hunt on Sundays for the full duration of applicable game bird and game mammal seasons and not be restricted to the previous morning time window.
  • Department of Natural Resources: gains discretion to authorize Sunday hunting without the prior time constraint; may need to update regulations/communications.
  • Local businesses and services: small businesses tied to hunting (lodging, food, guides, equipment retailers) could see increased Sunday economic activity. The fiscal note notes minimal overall fiscal impact but potential meaningful benefit to some small businesses in Dorchester County.
  • Landowners, farmers, and public safety stakeholders: changes in hunting patterns could affect deer population dynamics, crop damage, and vehicle–deer collision rates (the fiscal analysis discusses these as potential secondary impacts).

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The fiscal note projects no material effect on State or local government finances or operations.
  • Small business effects are minimal statewide but may be meaningful for certain Dorchester County businesses due to added Sunday hunting opportunity.
  • No appropriation is required by the bill.

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • The bill was introduced in the 2025 session (sponsored by Senator Mautz).
  • Effective date: the bill takes effect July 1, 2025 (per the fiscal note).
  • Relationship to prior measures: similar Sunday‑hunting legislation has been considered in recent sessions (e.g., SB 847 / HB 1500 of 2024).

Context / background

Under current Maryland law, Sunday hunting is generally prohibited but DNR may authorize Sunday hunting for specified counties and species, typically limited to a morning time window (30 minutes before sunrise to 10:30 a.m.) except for certain deer/turkey season Sundays where time limits do not apply. SB 796 removes that morning time restriction specifically for Dorchester County, aligning Dorchester’s Sunday hunting rules with counties where DNR already authorizes full‑day Sunday hunting for certain seasons.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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