New legislation mandating fines of up to $10,000 for poaching deer has now become law in Maryland, according to the Cumberland Times-News.
Gov. Larry Hogan did not sign House Bill 410, but didn’t veto it either. Since there was no veto, Maryland law allows the legislation to become law even without the signature of the head of state as long as it passed successfully through the General Assembly.
District court judges who find someone guilty of illegally killing a deer now must assess restitution charges based on the size of the deer’s antlers, with the lowest bringing restitution of $300 and 40 hours of community service, and the largest bringing restitution of $5,000-$10,000 and 80 hours of community service. This is on top of already preexisting law that allows a judge to fine guilty parties up to $1,500 for the poaching of any deer.