# COMAR Title 08 — Department of Natural Resources

## Subtitle 03 — Wildlife

### Chapter 15 — Wildlife Damage Control Permits

#### Regulation .03 Landowner Wildlife Damage Control Permit.

*COMAR 08.03.15.03*

A. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, a landowner who wishes to control wildlife on the landowner’s property may do so only after obtaining a landowner wildlife damage control permit from USDA or a federal depredation permit for migratory birds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

B. A landowner wildlife damage control permit is not required for a landowner or the landowner's agent to control:

  (1) Game mammals or birds during legal hunting seasons with legal devices;

  (2) Deer under the authority of a deer management permit as described in COMAR 08.03.04.02;

  (3) Canada geese under the authority of COMAR 08.03.07.10;

  (4) Blackbirds and crows under the authority of COMAR 08.03.05.05;

  (5) Any of the following unprotected species:

    (a) Nutria;

    (b) Woodchuck;

    (c) Feral pigeon;

    (d) European starling; or

    (e) House sparrow; or

  (6) Any of the following species or species groups when causing damage or destroying the personal or real property of the landowner:

    (a) Mouse;

    (b) Mole;

    (c) Rat; or

    (d) Vole.

C. To obtain a landowner wildlife damage control permit, a person shall apply by telephone to USDA in Annapolis, Maryland, at 410-349-8055 or 1-877-463-6497.

D. Permit Issuance.

  (1) USDA shall evaluate the problem and determine if a control permit is appropriate to help resolve the problem.

  (2) Based on its evaluation, USDA may issue a permit to the landowner to control the wildlife.

E. Terms and Conditions. The permit shall specify:

  (1) The species of wildlife to be controlled;

  (2) The acceptable procedures for controlling the wildlife;

  (3) The disposition of the wildlife; and

  (4) The effective dates of the permit.

F. Foothold traps are legal if specifically allowed on the permit.

G. Duration.

  (1) Landowner permits expire after 2 months.

  (2) If the wildlife problem continues after the permit has expired, USDA may extend the permit for an additional period of 2 months.