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Maryland Moves to Ban Spear Hunting, Restrict Air Guns

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is proposing rules aimed at banning spear-hunting for big game.

The agency says in a statement it's accepting public comments through Oct. 17 on a proposal to add regulatory language stating that only the weapons listed in the regulations may be used for deer and black bear hunting.

Those weapons are bows and firearms, including a powerful new type of air gun that shoots full-sized arrows.

Spear-hunting big game became a hot-button issue after a video was posted online in June showing Ohio fitness company executive Josh Bowmar killing a bear with a spear in Canada.

Another proposal would limit deer hunting with air guns to the modern firearm season. Air guns would be prohibited during the deer muzzle loader season.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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