Executive in Howard County, Maryland Proposes Hunting Ban Within the County!

Howard County Executive Ken Ulhman has proposed new hunting and firearm discharge regulations that will virtually ban all hunting within the county.

The measure would double to 300 yards the minimum distance for firing a weapon near a building. The minimum remains 150 yards for those at least 10 feet off the ground in a tree stand and firing downward. The measure also would ban firing a gun toward any building or camp designed for people within the gun's maximum range, or within 100 yards from a public road.

By using obscure language such as "within the gun's maximum range" hunters who have for generations hunted on lands, which have been encroached by development will be barred from future use.

Also, this measure is in direct contradiction to safety measures enacted by the state of Maryland.  Maryland Natural Resources Code section 10-410(g) states;  "A person, other than the owner or occupant, while hunting for any wild bird or mammal may not shoot or discharge any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards, known as the "safety zone," of a dwelling house, residence, church, or other building or camp occupied by human beings, or shoot at any wild bird or mammal while it is within this area, without the specific advance permission of the owner or occupant. During any open hunting season, a person, other than the owner or occupant, may not hunt or chase willfully any wild bird or mammal within the safety zone without the specific advance permission of the owner or occupant."

Please contact the members of the County Council and encourage them to OPPOSE this anti-hunting measure.

The general phone number for the County Council is (410) 313-2001 and the fax number is (410) 313-3297.

District 1:
Courtney Watson, Council Member
Email: [email protected]

District 2:
Calvin Ball, Council Member
Email: [email protected]

District 3:
Jen Terrasa, Vice Chairperson
Email: [email protected]

District 4:
Mary Kay Sigaty, Chair
Email: [email protected]

District 5:
Greg Fox, Council Member
Email: [email protected]