1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) Bait.

      1. (a) “Bait” means fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, corn, wheat, other feed, salt, or other mineral-based attractant intentionally placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered so as to serve as an attraction or enticement to forest game birds or mammals.
      2. (b) “Bait” does not include standing crops or where fruit, vegetables, nuts, hay, corn, wheat, other feed, salt or other minerals have been scattered solely as the result of bona fide agricultural operations or procedures such as planting, harvesting, or livestock care.
   2. (2) “Baited area” means any area where bait is placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered.
   3. (3) “Camping” means erecting tents or other shelters, sleeping in vehicles or trailers overnight, or otherwise attempting to reside temporarily upon the property overnight.
   4. (4) “Cooperative wildlife management area” means an area under private, corporate, or government ownership for which the landowner or his agent allows controlled public wildlife recreation opportunities in accordance with the provisions of a cooperative agreement or lease with the Service.

   5. (5) Dog Training.

      1. (a) “Dog training” means using a dog to hunt or retrieve, or simulate the hunting or retrieving of, a game bird or mammal outside the hunting season established for that species.
      2. (b) “Dog training” does not include the activity of walking with a dog on a leash or engaging in a permitted field trial in accordance with Natural Resources Article, §10-701, Annotated Code of Maryland.
   6. (6) “Geocaching” means to hide a small container or other item at discrete locations for the purpose of using GPS coordinates to locate the item.
   7. (7) “Natural resources management area (NRMA)” means an area where multiple-use management practices are implemented for the maximum use of the natural resources of the area.
   8. (8) “Permit hunting area” means a wildlife management area (WMA), cooperative wildlife management area, or natural resource management area (NRMA) for which a permit from the Service is required to hunt, birdwatch, fish, hike, horseback ride, and train dogs.
   9. (9) “Public hunting permit” means a free permit issued by the Service that allows a licensed hunter to hunt on certain Department lands.
   10. (10) “Target shooting” means to practice or discharge an airgun, BB gun, bow, crossbow, firearm, or paintball gun at a bottle, can, stump, paper target, or any other object into the air or into a body of water.
   11. (11) “Use permit” means written permission provided by the service provided on Department letter head and signed by the director or designee. A use permit may be applied for in writing by contacting the manager of the Wildlife Management Area on which the use will occur.

   12. (12) Vehicle.

       1. (a) “Vehicle” means any motorized vehicle or vessel that is capable of traveling on land, water, snow or ice.
       2. (b) “Vehicle” includes, but is not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, automobiles, boats, mini-bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, personal watercraft, scooters, snowmobiles, and trucks.
   13. (13) “Wildlife management area (WMA)” means an area acquired by the State to protect, propagate, or manage wildlife, or for hunting purposes. The Department may open these areas to nature-based outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife watching.
   14. (14) “Wildlife refuge” or “wildlife sanctuary” means a designated area on any Service-controlled land or water in which wildlife may not be hunted, disturbed, or molested at any time.

Authority: Natural Resources Article, §§10-205, 10-801, and 10-808, Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date:

Regulations .01—.22 were previously codified as Regulations .57, .58, .11, .01, .23, .29, .33, .36, .37, .38, .39, .41, .42, .47, .49, .50, .53, .59, .60, .61, .62, and .35, respectively, under COMAR 08.03.01 Wildlife Conservation. This recodification was effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047)

For the history of these regulations before June 3, 1985, see the Administrative History which follows COMAR 08.03.01.

Regulation .01 amended effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047); February 19, 1990 (17:3 Md. R. 296)

Regulation .01A amended effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913)

Regulation .01B amended effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236); April 27, 2015 (42:8 Md. R. 607)

Regulation .02 amended effective June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488); January 26, 1987 (14:2 Md. R. 127); May 18, 1987 (14:10 Md. R. 1169); January 2, 1994 (20:26 Md. R. 2025); February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)

Regulation .02B amended effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047); April 27, 2015 (42:8 Md. R. 607)

Regulation .04 amended effective October 29, 1990 (17:21 Md. R. 2527)

Regulation .05B amended effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047)

Regulation .06 amended effective June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488)

Regulation .06A amended effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913); June 26, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1333)

Regulation .07B amended effective June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488)

Regulation .07C amended effective May 18, 1987 (14:10 Md. R. 1169)

Regulation .09 amended effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047); June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488); February 19, 1990 (17:3 Md. R. 296); September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1917)

Regulation .09C amended effective October 29, 1990 (17:21 Md. R. 2527)

Regulation .12 amended effective May 18, 1987 (14:10 Md. R. 1169)

Regulation .12B amended effective June 26, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1333)

Regulation .12C amended effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913)

Regulation .15 amended effective June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488)

Regulation .16 repealed effective September 3, 2001 (28:17 Md. R. 1555)

Regulations .19 amended effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047)

Regulation .22 amended effective June 30, 1986 (13:13 Md. R. 1488)

Regulation .23 adopted effective June 3, 1985 (12:11 Md. R. 1047)

Regulations .24—.29 adopted effective May 18, 1987 (14:10 Md. R. 1169)

Regulation .24A amended effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913); January 25, 1999 (26:2 Md. R. 105); October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1854)

Regulation .25A amended effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913); January 25, 1999 (26:2 Md. R. 105); October 29, 2001 (28:21 Md. R. 1854)

Regulation .25-1 adopted effective August 31, 1992 (19:17 Md. R. 1606)

Regulation .26 amended effective June 26, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1333)

Regulation .29 repealed effective June 26, 1989 (16:12 Md. R. 1333)

Regulation .30 adopted effective August 8, 1988 (15:16 Md. R. 1913)

Regulation .30 amended effective March 14, 1994 (21:5 Md. R. 403); December 27, 1999 (26:26 Md. R. 1959)

Regulation .31 adopted effective February 19, 1990 (17:3 Md. R. 296)

Regulation .31 repealed effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)

Regulations .32 and .33 adopted effective September 2, 1991 (18:17 Md. R. 1917)

Regulation .32 repealed effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)

Regulation .33 amended effective February 27, 1995 (22:4 Md. R. 236)

Regulation .34 adopted effective October 11, 1993 (20:20 Md. R. 1567)

Regulation .34A amended as an emergency provision effective July 19, 1996 (23:16 Md. R. 1165); amended permanently effective January 13, 1997 (24:1 Md. R. 28)

Regulation .34 repealed and new Regulation .34 adopted effective August 19, 2002 (29:16 Md. R. 1286)

Regulation .35 adopted effective August 28, 1995 (22:17 Md. R. 1316)

Regulation .36 adopted effective September 3, 2001 (28:17 Md. R. 1555)

Regulation .37 adopted effective October 11, 2004 (31:20 Md. R. 1485)

Regulation .38 adopted effective November 8, 2004 (31:22 Md. R. 1595)

Chapter revised effective March 14, 2016 (43:5 Md. R. 384)

Regulation .02B amended effective September 23, 2019 (46:19 Md. R. 813)

Regulation .28 amended effective September 6, 2021 (48:14 Md. R. 692)

Regulation .28F amended effective September 11, 2017 (44:18 Md. R. 864); October 5, 2020 (47:20 Md. R. 874)