Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.19

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 12, June 14, 2024

Section 08.03.04.19 - Use of Dogs for Tracking Deer and Black Bear

A. It is unlawful to use dogs for locating dead, wounded, or injured deer or black bear except, if an individual legally hunting deer or black bear has killed, wounded, or injured a deer or black bear, or reasonably believes the individual has killed, wounded, or injured a deer or black bear, the individual may either personally, or by engaging a dog handler, use a dog to track and recover the killed, wounded, or injured deer or black bear.

B. The act of tracking a dead, wounded, or injured deer or black bear, with a dog, is considered to be hunting as defined by Natural Resources Article, § 10-101(j), Annotated Code of Maryland, and is subject to all applicable laws, regulations, and conditions.

C. No person other than the hunter or the dog handler may carry a firearm or bow of any description while tracking dead, wounded, or injured deer or black bear under this regulation.

D. The hunter or the dog handler may kill a wounded or injured deer or black bear only if done in accordance with the laws, regulations, or other conditions for deer or black bear hunting at that time. The deer or black bear shall count toward the bag limit or quota of the hunter who first killed, wounded, or injured the deer or black bear.

E. Before tracking a dead, wounded, or injured deer or black bear, the hunter shall notify, by telephone or in person, the Natural Resources Police regional office. If the nearest regional office of the Natural Resources Police is unavailable, the hunter may notify the Department of Natural Resources Communication Center. The hunter shall provide information as to:

(1) Where the deer or black bear was killed, wounded, or injured;

(2) The name, address, telephone number, and hunting license number of the hunter and dog handler;

(3) The general location of the dead, wounded, or injured deer or black bear; and

(4) The name of the landowner where the search will be conducted.

F. The dog handler shall maintain physical control of the leashed tracking dog at all times while conducting the search.

G. The hunter shall obtain permission of the landowner or land manager before tracking deer or black bear with dogs as provided in this regulation.

Md. Code Regs. 08.03.04.19

Regulation .19 adopted effective September 3, 2001 (28:17 Md. R. 1555)
Regulation .19 amended effective September 27, 2004 (31:19 Md. R. 1430)