Types of Hunting Laws

• Federal laws regulate the taking of migratory bird species, such as doves and waterfowl, ducks, geese, and swans. Doves and waterfowl breed in Canada and the United States and winter in the southern United States and Mexico. The authority to manage them is in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, an international treaty among our three nations.
• State and provincial laws and regulations manage the hunting of non-migratory species, such as deer, rabbits, turkeys, and pheasants. States and provinces manage wildlife and regulate hunting using laws and regulations.
• Municipal laws may restrict, for example, the shooting of a firearm within a certain proximity to a home or residential neighborhood.

How Hunting Laws are Passed

In most states, a wildlife management agency sets hunting regulations. These agencies will have regular meetings where the public can voice their concerns and make suggestions. Hunters wishing to propose changes to the regulations should participate in these meetings or join a hunting organization that interacts with the agency.

Know the Law

Read your jurisdiction’s hunting laws and regulations booklet. Familiarize yourself with the table of contents and the topics.

Ignorance of hunting laws is not a valid excuse for violating them. It is the hunter’s responsibility to review state game laws before the hunting season.

Be a responsible hunter.