Kent County to oppose Sunday waterfowl provision in HB1063 while supporting deer management changes

Kent County Commissioners debated House Bill 1063 (companion Senate Bill 643), a state-level proposal that would alter Sunday deer hunting rules in some counties and allow the Department of Natural Resources to permit migratory game bird hunting on Sundays for certain people. After discussion, the board voted to send a letter of opposition focused on the bill’s Sunday waterfowl hunting provision while indicating conditional support for some deer management elements.

Staff summarized the bill and noted it would permit DNR to allow migratory bird hunting on Sundays and automatically permit hunting of Atlantic population Canada geese on Sundays for specified groups including junior and senior hunters, apprentices and full-time students who hold hunting licenses. Commissioners expressed differing views: some favored the deer-management adjustments but said allowing Sunday waterfowl hunting could reduce the number of days available to other hunters and increase pressure on waterfowl.

One commissioner summarized the board’s position: support with amendments to exclude Sunday waterfowl hunting and preserve existing deer-management practices where appropriate. The motion to send a letter of opposition with amendments passed by voice vote.

The board’s next step is to finalize and transmit the letter to the General Assembly comment process before the administrative deadline staff noted during the meeting.

Context: Commissioners said they had received little written public input on the bill but referenced informal conversations with constituents on both sides. The board noted past practice of opposing Sunday waterfowl hunting and cited conservation concerns expressed locally.