Full Statute Name:  West's Annotated Code of Maryland. Natural Resources. Title 10. Wildlife. Subtitle 4. Hunting Restrictions--in General. § 10-422. Interference or disruption of hunting

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Primary Citation:  MD Code, Natural Resources, § 10-422 Country of Origin:  United States Last Checked:  November, 2023 Alternate Citation:  MD NAT RES § 10-422 Date Adopted:  1985 Historical: 
Summary: This law reflects Maryland's hunter harassment provision. While on private land that is owned by another person or in a hunting area on land managed by the Department, a person may not intentionally interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife or harass, drive, or disturb any game animal intentionally for the purpose of disrupting a lawful hunt. A Natural Resources officer or other police officer who has probable cause to believe that a person has violated the section may order the person to leave the area or arrest that person if he or she refuses to leave.


Regulations to prohibit interference or disruptions

(a) If the Department determines that a significant interference or disruption of a hunt or hunters is likely to occur on any land managed by the Department, the Department may adopt regulations to prohibit that interference or disruption.

Hunting on private land

(b) While on private land that is owned by another person or in a hunting area on land managed by the Department, a person may not:

(1) Interfere intentionally with the lawful taking of wildlife by another person; or

(2) Harass, drive, or disturb any game animal intentionally for the purpose of disrupting a lawful hunt.

Probable cause

(c) A Natural Resources police officer or other police officer of the State who has probable cause to believe that a person has violated this section may:

(1) Order the person to desist or to leave the area; or

(2) Arrest the person on refusal to desist or leave the area.

Incidental interference

(d) The conduct declared unlawful in this section does not include any incidental interference arising from lawful activity by private land users or users of land managed by the Department, including farmers, miners, or persons engaged in recreation.

CREDIT(S)

Added by Acts 1985, c. 754. Amended by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2.
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