Bill
SB 335
Maryland must set the migratory Atlantic population goose bag limit statewide to the USFWS limit during the season, with defined county exceptions.
Status and timing
- Approved by the Governor (Chapter 554); approved May 13, 2025.
- Effective date: July 1, 2025.
- Sunset/termination date: June 30, 2030 (5‑year limited duration).
Purpose / intent
- To require that, during the migratory Canada goose (Atlantic population) hunting season, Maryland’s daily bag limit for all Canada geese statewide conform to the daily bag limit for Atlantic‑population migratory Canada geese set annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The provision is intended to align state bag limits with federal migratory‑population limits during that specific season, with limited geographic exceptions.
Key provisions
- Amends Annotated Code of Maryland, Natural Resources §10‑409.
- Requires that, during the Migratory Canada Goose (Atlantic Population) hunting season, the daily bag limit for all Canada geese in Maryland (including birds in both the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population Hunt Zone and the Atlantic Population Hunt Zone) shall conform to the Atlantic‑population Canada goose bag limit adopted annually by the USFWS.
- Identifies geographic exceptions where the subsection does not apply:
- Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties, and
- The portion of Carroll County geographically west of Routes 31 and 97.
- Continues existing DNR practice of publishing bag limits by April 25 each year (per §10‑205).
- The Act automatically expires June 30, 2030.
Who is affected
- Hunters of Canada geese statewide (bag limits during the specified migratory season will be determined by the USFWS Atlantic‑population limit).
- Landowners, farmers, and other small businesses affected by resident Canada goose damage in areas where the resident‑population (historically higher) bag limit will be reduced during the migratory season.
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) — required to implement the statutory requirement in its annual regulations.
Key context and potential impacts
- Under recent USFWS regulations (2024–25), the Atlantic Population season had a lower bag limit (e.g., 2 geese/day, possession 6) than the Atlantic Flyway Resident Population zone (e.g., 5 geese/day, possession 15). This bill would require the lower Atlantic‑population limit to govern statewide (except the listed counties) during the migratory season (Dec 20–Jan 4 and Jan 15–Feb 1 in the 2024–25 cycle).
- Fiscal note: State and local finances not expected to be materially affected. DNR estimates potential negative effects on small businesses (farms) in parts of the Resident Population Hunt Zone (example data: for some western portions, average annual harvest ~669 geese and ~156 hunters across 618 combined hunting days, 2013–2022). The change could reduce harvests used to manage resident goose populations and related agricultural damage.
- DNR retains rulemaking authority to publish annual bag limits, but the statute prescribes the conforming requirement for the specified season.
Sponsor / legislative references
- Introduced by Senator Bailey (cross‑file HB 892 noted). Bill chapter: Ch. 554.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
Sign in to ask a question.
