HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base

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Module 09 - HUNTING LAWS AND REGULATIONS

FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS

Federal Laws

Federal laws regulate the taking of migratory species, such as doves, waterfowl, ducks, geese and swans. The authority to manage these species is in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international treaty between the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Act determines what migratory birds you can and cannot hunt based on population numbers.

State Laws

Each state manages the hunting of its own non-migratory species, such as deer, rabbits, turkeys and pheasants. Basically, if the animal is an international traveler, it will fall under federal law (frequent flyers). If it stays local all year-round, it will fall under state law.