Can licensed hunters be accompanied by non-licensed observers?

[HogCommander]

Question for the MDS crowd:

I'm a licensed hunter and would like to take one of my non-licensed friends hunting with me as an observer to introduce him to it. The idea is that I show/teach, he just observes and learns without touching the gun or bow.

What I have in mind is to try to teach the things that I know won't be covered in the Hunter Safety class such as finding a good place to hunt, how to field dress, etc. Anybody know if this is prohibited or have experience with this?

I checked the Hunting & Trapping guide and searched online but can't find this specifically addressed anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

 

[AssMan]

I might be wrong as I didn't look at the regs, but in most states, if he doesn't have a gun/bow and doesn't help to call, dress or remove the game, I think it's OK.

Edit: you might call DNR to confirm.


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[Gunlawyer]

As you have described the observer's limited role, you are good to go! And well done too! We need more responsible hunters out there! Let us know how it goes!

 

[hutchinsonkw]

You are good to go. I have done the same with my girlfriend to introduce her to hunting. I asked dnr and was told she has to be strictly an observer.

 

[balttigger]

You are good to go. I have done the same with my girlfriend to introduce her to hunting. I asked dnr and was told she has to be strictly an observer.

This. I have an email from the DNR that states the same.

 

[pleasant1911]

Does it matter if its on private land?

 

[rseymorejr]

Does it matter if its on private land?

I would think that they should also have written permission to be on the land too.

 

[lazarus]

I would think that they should also have written permission to be on the land too.

If it is your land, no. Private land is ask, but since they aren't hunting, they probably don't need the express written permission so long as the land owner knows they will be on the property (courtesy thing).

If you mean more than being a strict observer if private land, it doesn't matter, no license the only thing you can do is observe, even if you own the property. The only exceptions to that is the actual land owner(s), their spouses and their children can hunt the property without a hunting license. Any other people including other immediate relatives would need a license.

If you are observing pretty much none of the hunting rules apply (but wear blaze orange anyway!!!). An exception would probably be public lands where total number of hunters is limited. Observers may not be allowed then, but definitely check DNR about that.

 

[outrider58]

If it is your land, no. Private land is ask, but since they aren't hunting, they probably don't need the express written permission so long as the land owner knows they will be on the property (courtesy thing).

If you mean more than being a strict observer if private land, it doesn't matter, no license the only thing you can do is observe, even if you own the property. The only exceptions to that is the actual land owner(s), their spouses and their children can hunt the property without a hunting license. Any other people including other immediate relatives would need a license.

If you are observing pretty much none of the hunting rules apply (but wear blaze orange anyway!!!). An exception would probably be public lands where total number of hunters is limited. Observers may not be allowed then, but definitely check DNR about that.

I would agree with this.

 

[marcwells]

Question for the MDS crowd:

I'm a licensed hunter and would like to take one of my non-licensed friends hunting with me as an observer to introduce him to it. The idea is that I show/teach, he just observes and learns without touching the gun or bow.

What I have in mind is to try to teach the things that I know won't be covered in the Hunter Safety class such as finding a good place to hunt, how to field dress, etc. Anybody know if this is prohibited or have experience with this?

I checked the Hunting & Trapping guide and searched online but can't find this specifically addressed anywhere can i go hunting with someone without a license.

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone know the rules for bringing a non-hunter in the field other than the obvious being the non-hunter is not allowed to shoot? I want to take my girlfriend out to watch a hunt and hadn't thought much of it until one of my buddies said I should be careful and that technically she needs a license, HIP number, and duck stamp to be out there. I told him he had it wrong and I plan to follow it up with a call to the DEC to be sure. I thought someone out there would have a good idea. Any thoughts?

 

[cantstop]

There was a thread a while back on an online Hunter Safety Course (Texas?) that you can use for your MD Hunter's license. I don't have time to search for it. Your buddies would be able to hunt with you.

 

[ToBeFree]

I'm sure you do not need a permit to walk in the woods. Yet.
Should be good to go. Wear proper attire depending on the season.

 

[lazarus]

I'm sure you do not need a permit to walk in the woods. Yet.
Should be good to go. Wear proper attire depending on the season.

Yes as well as everything else already being answered.

So long as they are just in an observational capacity and aren't doing anything related to the hunt itself, good to go. Though IIRC MD DOES require anyone accompanying the hunter to wear the appropriate high vis clothing based on the season/game. I am not positive on that, but it for sure as heck is the smart thing to do.

I don't think DNR is going to gig you if your girlfriend, kid, neighbor, or work buddy nudges you to point out a deer you haven't seen. Probably don't have them arm deep in a deer chest cavity or covered in blood if a NRP officer shows up. And for sure as heck don't let them carry whatever hunting implements at any point in time no matter what (doesn't matter if you are dragging a deer out, you carry your bow/rifle, not your non-participating buddy).

 

[traveller]

Now if the 'observer' had his hunting privileges suspended and the 'hunter' is his gf who barely made it through hunter safety class, NRP is gonna have questions.

 

[DanGuy48]

Wow. I’m not a hunter and am floored to hear the absurd level of regulation just for someone to simply walk along and observe. I guess the powers-that-be want to make sure they get their dollars and cents.

 

[pre64hunter]

The word the lawman uses is participate in the hunt. The observer is not allowed to participate, which means calling, setting decoys, carrying your bag, stand or decoy, help finding downed game, driving deer, picking up your empty shells.
Depends on how hard nose a game warden can be. Some can be over ambitious.

 

[OneGunTex]

The word the lawman uses is participate in the hunt. The observer is not allowed to participate, which means calling, setting decoys, carrying your bag, stand or decoy, help finding downed game, driving deer, picking up your empty shells.
Depends on how hard nose a game warden can be. Some can be over ambitious.

I have NEVER heard of this before. For as long as I can remember, kids, girlfriends, random buddies, etc have helped folks look for deer, carry gear, drag deer, and pretty much everything except pull the trigger. My understanding was always that if you didn't have a gun you weren't hunting.

Note that I did not grow up in, nor do I currently reside in Maryland. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they were weird like that there

 

[AlBeight]

From about age 6 I used to go with my father rabbit and pheasant hunting, and sometimes deer hunting. I was the beagle, and could get into all the tight little briar patches to kick up the bunnies ( I used to get stuck so bad he’d have to come in to get me out). I did this for years, including helping gut and drag deer. I got my license when I was 12. I was no different than any other kid I knew, we participated all the time but didn’t hunt until we could.

I suppose an actual definition wouldn’t be a bad thing to get from DNR.

 

[Melnic]

Don't forget in MD there is also the Apprentice license so this person CAN hunt with you.
This was new as of few years ago.

About the Apprenticeship Hunting License

An official website of the State of Maryland.

dnr.maryland.gov

My father's (RIP) first hunt about a decade ago was a similar program in Va. Then he got his Tx online license then MD and Va.
Bagged a big buck on his first hunt. My Brother in law screamed "This just ain't fair".

 

[Inigoes]

I have NEVER heard of this before. For as long as I can remember, kids, girlfriends, random buddies, etc have helped folks look for deer, carry gear, drag deer, and pretty much everything except pull the trigger. My understanding was always that if you didn't have a gun you weren't hunting.

Note that I did not grow up in, nor do I currently reside in Maryland. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if they were weird like that there

That is what everyone overlooks. The number of guns used in the hunt.

Bowhunting season isn't a big deal, because people don't carry extra bows. When hunters start carrying extra muzzle loading handguns or legal revolvers.

This is where extra scrutiny will get applied, counting the number of bodies versus the number of guns.