Bill > HB857

This bill modifies Maryland's hunting regulations to allow hunters who have legally wounded a deer during hunting hours to pursue and kill that deer after legal hunting hours, even if that pursuit would normally be prohibited. Specifically, the bill permits hunters authorized by the Department of Natural Resources to continue tracking and ultimately kill a wounded deer beyond standard hunting time restrictions. As an important exception to existing light and hunting equipment rules, the bill explicitly allows hunters to use additional illumination methods during this pursuit, including spotlights, headlights, artificial lights, batteries, or other light-casting devices. Previously, such light usage would have been prohibited during these hours. The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to create regulations to implement these new provisions, and the changes will take effect on July 1, 2025. The primary intent appears to be helping hunters ethically and effectively retrieve deer they have wounded during legal hunting times, reducing the likelihood of wounded animals escaping and potentially suffering.

Education, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0857?ys=2025RS