Internal prototype — noindexed, not linked from public navigation yet.

Md. Code, Natural Resources § 10-408

This is the official text of Md. Code, Natural Resources § 10-408, part of Maryland’s Code, Natural Resources — governs parks, wildlife, and natural resource management.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

§10–408.

Official statutory text

(a) In this section, “handgun” means a firearm:

(1) With a barrel length not exceeding 6 inches; and

(2) That does not have a scope or an electronic device attached.

(b) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Department shall:

(i) Prescribe by regulation the means or weapons for hunting designated wildlife; and

(ii) Set forth any restrictions relating to weapons used to hunt designated wildlife, including the amount and size of ammunition for designated game birds or mammals.

(2) The Department may not prohibit a licensed bow hunter from openly carrying a handgun that the hunter is otherwise authorized to carry under § 4–203 of the Criminal Law Article if the bow hunter:

(i) Is at least 21 years old;

(ii) Is hunting in deer management Region A as defined by the Department’s Guide to Hunting and Trapping;

(iii) Is carrying the handgun for personal protection; and

(iv) Does not use the handgun to kill wildlife wounded by a vertical bow or crossbow.

(c) The Department shall make the regulations available for distribution with each hunting license purchased.

(d) This section does not authorize the Department to restrict the use of firearms except in the activity of hunting designated wildlife.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Maryland?

Find a Maryland lawyer
About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.