I moved to MD (Charles County) about a year ago. The home that I'm moving into has deer in the back yard regularly. What is everyone's take on shooting deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, etc in a back yard? I'm not sure I personally consider it actually hunting...plus I can't find the ordinance regs about it. I've heard of other people doing it. Thoughts?

Better read up before firing up. Maryland Department of Natural Resources - 2010-2011 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/)

Thanks Baja, I've read it, but it doesn't really address specifics that local ordinances would. Especially if you are talking about using something like a bow. I know you can't discharge a firearm within a certain distance from a dwelling.

Better read up before firing up. Maryland Department of Natural Resources - 2010-2011 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/)

Do you do anything other than post? Because you may be the dumbest jerk I've ever met!

Do you do anything other than post? Because you may be the dumbest jerk I've ever met!
1. You've never met me.
2. If you ever do, I will hold your ass on the ground until the law arrives to arrest your drunk, felonious ass.
3. Do you do anything other than drink, evade law enforcement and show what an idiot you are?

Thanks Baja, I've read it, but it doesn't really address specifics that local ordinances would. Especially if you are talking about using something like a bow. I know you can't discharge a firearm within a certain distance from a dwelling.You're welcome.
I searched the website too looking for the distance but was unable to find it. I want to say 150 yards for a shotgun. No rifles at all in southern MD. Do you have neighbors?

I moved to MD (Charles County) about a year ago. The home that I'm moving into has deer in the back yard regularly. What is everyone's take on shooting deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, etc in a back yard? I'm not sure I personally consider it actually hunting...plus I can't find the ordinance regs about it. I've heard of other people doing it. Thoughts?

Do not, I repeat, do not kill a poisonous snake.

You're welcome.
I searched the website too looking for the distance but was unable to find it. I want to say 150 yards for a shotgun. No rifles at all in southern MD. Do you have neighbors?

Yes, in the back of a subdivision backing up to conservation. Like I said I personally don't think it is "legal" but I can't find anything online about Charles County ordinances and such that says yea or nay. I also think the distance is 150, but I think it's feet and no yards, but also not sure about that either.

Do not, I repeat, do not kill a poisonous snake.

haha, I can't tell if you are being serious or not, but if I find one in my back yard, it's going down! Got kids that play back there...

1. You've never met me.
2. If you ever do, I will hold your ass on the ground until the law arrives to arrest your drunk, felonious ass.
3. Do you do anything other than drink, evade law enforcement and show what an idiot you are?

You're right Mike I have never met you, just like you never met me, but somehow your an authority on me and how I live.

3. This question I have a problem with, cause you can only prove Q2. That you evade law. :killingme

haha, I can't tell if you are being serious or not, but if I find one in my back yard, it's going down! Got kids that play back there...

I'm serious, some a$$hole let out a cat and look what happens.
http://forums.somd.com/life-southern-maryland/229714-dead.html

I'm serious, some a$$hole let out a cat and look what happens.
http://forums.somd.com/life-southern-maryland/229714-dead.html

WOW!! I'll just be sure to discreetly dispose of any poisonous snakes I kill in my yard... I'll take a DNR fine over the possibly of one of my kiddos getting bit.

Thanks Baja, I've read it, but it doesn't really address specifics that local ordinances would. Especially if you are talking about using something like a bow. I know you can't discharge a firearm within a certain distance from a dwelling.

As long as its bow season?

As long as its bow season?

I kill deer if they are eating the wife's flowers (I have her permission).
I jump on their backs, and cut their throats.

This thread should not be in "Outdoors".

It should be in "Newbies to Southern Maryland".

You're right Mike I have never met you, just like you never met me, but somehow your an authority on me and how I live.

3. This question I have a problem with, cause you can only prove Q2. That you evade law. :killingmeYes I am an authority on you. Many people are since I gave them your name and they searched you on the judiciary case search. They all know you are a wanted felon. Why don't you come back to MD and turn yourself in? Please post the answer for all to see.

I mean you're so moral and all about abortion, doesn't your God say you should do the right thing and serve your time in jail? What kind of God do you have Tommy? Must be a real piece of $hit if he doesn't command you to do the right thing.

This thread should not be in "Outdoors".

It should be in "Newbies to Southern Maryland".

The answer I expected from you.

I kill deer if they are eating the wife's flowers (I have her permission).
I jump on their backs, and cut their throats.

And they also carry deer ticks, but so do birds, squirrels, ground hogs, moles and whatever else crawls in the woods, so I kill everything with my bare hands and a knife or shovel.

so I kill everything with my bare hands and a knife or shovel.

Oops, I mean the cat got loose again.

haha, I can't tell if you are being serious or not, but if I find one in my back yard, it's going down! Got kids that play back there...

LOL...Just don't tell anybody or post pics...then blame it on the cat!!!

Oops, I mean the cat got loose again.

That's some serious ninja cat. It up for taking down a black bear or a mountain lion too? They've been reported to be returning closer to urban areas and a couple have had to be taken out recently. :whistle::

I moved to MD (Charles County) about a year ago. The home that I'm moving into has deer in the back yard regularly. What is everyone's take on shooting deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, etc in a back yard? I'm not sure I personally consider it actually hunting...plus I can't find the ordinance regs about it. I've heard of other people doing it. Thoughts?

You need to take a close look at the covenants for your subdivision !

I'll bet a dollar to a donut that they have a no hunting provision - - - I have deer in my yard all the time, and they are untouchable by law - - -

Check Charles county ordinances too - - - they should be available on line - - -

I'll bet a dollar to a donut

What the fxxx does that mean?

You need to take a close look at the covenants for your subdivision !

I'll bet a dollar to a donut that they have a no hunting provision - - - I have deer in my yard all the time, and they are untouchable by law - - -

Check Charles county ordinances too - - - they should be available on line - - -

Thanks bibbob. I will check and do assume as much. I've searched for Charles county ordinances and just can't find them online. That's why I posted this, hoping I could get a link. Again, thanks!

Thanks bibbob. I will check and do assume as much. I've searched for Charles county ordinances and just can't find them online. That's why I posted this, hoping I could get a link. Again, thanks!

DNR says you cant hunt within 150 yards of an occupied deweling unless you have permission from the owner.
But as been suggested, your HOA probably has rules against you hunting in the neighborhood.

DNR says you cant hunt within 150 yards of an occupied deweling unless you have permission from the owner.
But as been suggested, your HOA probably has rules against you hunting in the neighborhood.

Thanks Thatguy. I do see that in the DNR regs (COMAR), but the section that I saw it in was pertaining to public land only and firearms training course. I haven't been able to find anything that specifically discusses this in regards to private land.

Thanks Thatguy. I do see that in the DNR regs (COMAR), but the section that I saw it in was pertaining to public land only and firearms training course. I haven't been able to find anything that specifically discusses this in regards to private land.

What makes you say that? Under the general hunting regulations it says it is illegal to..."Hunt, trap or shoot at wildlife within 150 yards of an occupied structure or camp without permission of the owner or occupant. This distance is 50 yards for archery hunters on private land in Frederick County only". This says nothing about public land only and I'm certain that it also applies to private land. With the exception of Frederick County, what applies to a gun applies (non-logically) to a bow.

What makes you say that? Under the general hunting regulations it says it is illegal to..."Hunt, trap or shoot at wildlife within 150 yards of an occupied structure or camp without permission of the owner or occupant. This distance is 50 yards for archery hunters on private land in Frederick County only". This says nothing about public land only and I'm certain that it also applies to private land. With the exception of Frederick County, what applies to a gun applies (non-logically) to a bow.

The only place I see "150 yards" when I do a search in COMAR for "150 yards" is in section 08.01.07.04 is applies only to "Chesapeake Forest Lands". That's why I say that.

Can you post the section where private lands are discussed? That will clear it up for me. Thanks.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources - General Hunting Regulations: 2010-2011 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/geninfo.asp)


The distance is a minimum of 150 yards without permission (except Frederick county archers) statewide. This includes both public and private lands.

To the original question: if you don't live in an HOA that prohibits it, or in LaPlata (municipality) and if your yard/lot is big enough to have the 150 yards from your neighbor, you can take a deer in your yard. If you have neighbors outside the 150 but still fairly close I'd use a bow.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources - General Hunting Regulations: 2010-2011 Guide to Hunting & Trapping in Maryland (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/geninfo.asp)


The distance is a minimum of 150 yards without permission (except Frederick county archers) statewide. This includes both public and private lands.

To the original question: if you don't live in an HOA that prohibits it, or in LaPlata (municipality) and if your yard/lot is big enough to have the 150 yards from your neighbor, you can take a deer in your yard. If you have neighbors outside the 150 but still fairly close I'd use a bow.

Just hope that after you shoot it, it does not run into your neighbor's yard to die. Depending on their view and your relationship with them, going to recover that deer would be considered trespassing.

Just hope that after you shoot it, it does not run into your neighbor's yard to die. Depending on their view and your relationship with them, going to recover that deer would be considered trespassing.

There is that.

The distance is a minimum of 150 yards without permission .

That is exactly what is stated right on the front of my DNR property shoreline hunting license.

Thanks everyone, that pretty much clears it up!

Thanks everyone, that pretty much clears it up!

So, what is your decision?

Are you going to shoot deer in your back yard or not?

So, what is your decision?

Are you going to shoot deer in your back yard or not?

No sir. I think it would just be pushing the envelope. I'll stick to Myrtle Grove again this year. I saw several out there last year. I was kinda on the fence about it anyway, cause I'm not sure that I could really call it hunting. I wanted to hear other people's opinion and find out what the regs/ordinances said about it.