Department of Natural Resources Policy

Hunting Policy

Policy Number:  94:09

Effective Date:     March 1, 1994 (Reviewed: May 2003)

See signed policy - Adobe Acrobat file

I. PURPOSE

The intent of this policy is to reaffirm the Department’s support of hunting as an essential element of scientific wildlife management and a valuable outdoor recreational activity.

  1. Hunting is a time-honored tradition in Maryland, intrinsic to our heritage and culture;
  2. Hunting provides the citizens of Maryland millions of pleasurable hours of wholesome outdoor recreation, nutritious table fare and valuable furs;
  3. Hunting has been shown to be an essential element of sound wildlife management, sometimes being the only efficient and effective means of maintaining animal populations in harmony with their environment;
  4. Hunting related expenditures add millions of dollars to Maryland’s economy;
  5. Revenues derived from hunting licenses and federal excise taxes on hunting equipment provide for the scientific investigation, conservation, protection, and management of wildlife, and for the training of hunters to be both safe and ethical;
  6. Hunting activities have been shown to engender a heightened appreciation of our shared wildlife resources and the ecological principles upon which scientific wildlife management is based;
  7. Hunting promotes a personal desire to restore and improve wildlife habitat; and,
  8. Hunting is one of the safest of outdoor recreational activities.
II. SCOPE (DEPARTMENT WIDE UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

III. POLICY

It is the policy of the Department of Natural Resources to:
  1. Encourage the citizens of Maryland, especially our youth, to participate in hunting activities.
  2. Promote hunting and the wholesome beneficial values it instills in the individual.
  3. Promote hunting on and provide access to all public lands wherever such activity is not inconsistent with other stated objectives.
  4. Encourage private landowners to allow access to their properties for public hunting.
  5. Require safe and ethical hunting in Maryland.
All units within the Department shall implement this policy in close cooperation with the Wildlife Division.

Posted February 3, 2004