1. (a) The Department may reduce the wildlife population in any county, election district, or other identifiable area of the State after a thorough investigation reveals that protected wildlife is seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests in the affected area. The method of reducing the wildlife population is at the Department's discretion, except that trapping is preferred whenever feasible. The Department shall dispose of wildlife taken pursuant to the provisions of this section as the Department deems advisable.

2. (b)

   1. (1) In this subsection, “deer damage” includes:

      1. (i) Widespread damage caused by deer, including the elimination of forest understory, tree regeneration, and native plants; and
      2. (ii) The destruction of agricultural crops caused by deer.
   2. (2) The Department may authorize the reduction of the deer population on any single, contiguous property of at least 10 acres where the Department has documented deer damage.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) The method of reducing the deer population:

         1. 1. Is at the Department's discretion; and
         2. 2. Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, may include the issuance of a permit to a property owner, or the property owner's employee, lessee, or agent, to shoot deer on the property on Sundays.

      2. (ii) A permit issued under subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph:

         1. 1. May not authorize hunting on Sundays in:

            1. A. Baltimore City;
            2. B. Baltimore County;
            3. C. Howard County; or
            4. D. Prince George's County; and
         2. 2. Shall prohibit deer hunting on Sundays during deer firearms season within 150 yards of a Department trail designated for bicycling, hiking, equestrian use, or other active or passive recreational use.

   4. (4) The Department shall:

      1. (i) Map areas of the State to which a permit may apply under this subsection; and
      2. (ii) Make the maps readily available to the public.

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 2026, c. 421, § 1, eff. July 1, 2026.

Formerly Art. 66C, § 132.