1. (a) Except for unprotected birds and game birds hunted during open season, a person may not hunt, destroy, or possess in any manner any wild bird within the State whether killed in the State or in any other state, territory, or country.
2. (b) Unless prohibited by federal law, this section does not prohibit a landowner or his agent from shooting hawks or owls when considered necessary to protect poultry or game birds or mammals on the landowner's property from destruction. In addition, this section does not prohibit the Department from controlling birds or mammals which have become obnoxious in nature or habit or are damaging wildlife on any lands in the State.

3. (c)

   1. (1) Except for the sale of captive breed birds of prey as permitted under federal and State propagation or federal and State falconry regulations, a person may not sell, offer for sale, offer to purchase, barter, or exchange the plumage, skin, or body of any nongame bird, whether caught within the State or in another state, territory, or country.
   2. (2) Except as otherwise provided, a person may not possess any game bird for sale whether caught within the State or in another state, territory, or country.

Added by Acts 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., c. 4, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Amended by Acts 1984, c. 585; Acts 1990, c. 6, § 2; Acts 2018, c. 670, § 1, eff. June 1, 2018.

Formerly Art. 66C, §§ 132, 137.