§ 8.600. Hunting on private property without permission.

I.

Written Permission Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to enter upon or trespass upon the property of another for the purpose of hunting any wild game birds or wild game animals thereon with a gun, rifle, bow and arrow, or any other means, unless the person shall have first secured from the owner or person in possession of the property, written permission to hunt thereon. Any hunting done shall be within the scope of the written permission.

II.

Written Permission to be Shown upon Request. Any person hunting upon the property of another shall exhibit the written permission, upon request, to any Police Officer of this County or the owner or person in possession of the property.

III.

Arrest. The Police Officer shall, upon the request of the owner or person in possession of any property, arrest any person hunting without the written permission of the owner or person in possession.

IV.

Liability. Any person hunting on private property shall be liable for any damage he/she causes to the private property while hunting on it. The landowner shall not be liable for accidental injury or damage to such person whether or not the landowner or his/her agent gave permission to hunt.

V.

Definition. Hunting shall include a willful trespass while carrying or in possession of any gun, pistol, rifle, shotgun or any other form of firearm, or a bow and arrows.

VI.

Penalties. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be liable for a fine of not less than $25.00 and not more than $500.00 or be confined in jail for a period of not more than 30 days. Alternatively or in addition to and concurrent with all other remedies, the Police Department may enforce the provisions of this subtitle pursuant to the provisions of title 24, "Civil Penalties," of the Howard County Code. A violation of this subtitle shall be a Class C offense.

(C.B. 46, 1973; C.B. 32, 1985)