“The Right to Fish & Hunt Act of 2021is the single, most historic legacy we as the sportsmen/women of Maryland can bestow upon future generations to inspire them to pursue these noble pursuits afield.”
Senator Jack Bailey Senate Co-Chair - Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
“Securing enactment of the Right to Fish and Hunt Act of 2021is by far the single greatest legislative achievement in my career as the elected Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 31A.”
Delegate Ned Carey House Co-Chair - Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus
“With the enactment of this historic legislation, Maryland joins some 25 other states to formally protect the rights of our nation’s original conservationists –sportsmen and women. With its passage a resounding statement has been made on the continued relevancy of our time-honored traditions and the numerous benefits hunting and angling provide for our society, our fish and wildlife resources, and the habitats on which they depend.”
Jeff Crane, President and CEO - Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
The Right to Fish & Hunt Act of 2021 was signed into law on May 18, 2021culminating in a Herculean effort to convince the 2021 Maryland General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 318 and House Bill 1134, respectively. The former was sponsored by Senator Jack Bailey and Senator Bryan Simonaire while the latter was sponsored by Delegate Ned Carey. Effective October 1, 2021, Maryland State law – Section 4-103 and 10-102 of the Natural Resources Article (Maryland Annotated Code) – will read as follows:
4-103
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT: (1) FISHING IS A VALUED PART OF THE STATE’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE THAT PROVIDES UNIQUE RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE; AND (2) FISHING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE STATE’S ECONOMY BY CONTRIBUTING TO TAX REVENUES AND EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE’S FISHERIES, NATURAL AREAS, AND WATER RESOURCES.
IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE HAVE A RIGHT TO FISH SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UNDER LAWS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS.
10-102.
(A) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS THAT: (1) HUNTING IS A VALUED PART OF THE STATE’S CULTURAL AND SOCIAL HERITAGE THAT PROVIDES UNIQUE RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE STATE; AND (2) HUNTING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE STATE’S ECONOMY BY CONTRIBUTING TO TAX REVENUES AND EMPLOYMENT AND, THROUGH THE RECEIPT OF FEDERAL FUNDS, SUPPORTS THE CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF THE STATE’S WILDLIFE, NATURAL AREAS, AND RELATED RESOURCES.
(B) IT IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT RESIDENTS OF THE STATE HAVE A RIGHT TO HUNT SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS UNDER LAWS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS.
Let there be no mistake about it, there was tremendous opposition to this legislative proposal. The fact the bills did not pass until the final day of the 90-day 2021 Session of the Maryland General Assembly testifies to the opposition’s strength. However, the Hunters of Maryland – in cooperation with the bi-partisan Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus – did not waiver and ultimately prevailed.
