Hunting Regulations AND INFORMATION
Termination of Possession Subject to all other requirements of this part, the possession of birds taken by any hunter shall be deemed to have ceased when such birds have been delivered by him to another person as a gift; or have been delivered by him to a post office, a common carrier, or a migra- tory bird preservation facility and consigned for transport by the Postal Service or a common carrier to some person other than the hunter. Gift of Migratory Game Birds No person may receive, possess, or give to an- other, any freshly killed migratory game birds as a gift, except at the personal abodes of the donor or donee, unless such birds have a tag attached, signed by the hunter who took the birds, stating such hunter’s address, the total number and spe- cies of birds and the date such birds were taken. Transportation of Birds of Another No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged. Species Identification Requirement No person shall transport within the United States any migratory game birds, except doves and band-tailed pigeons, unless the head or one fully feathered wing remains attached to each such bird at all times while being transported from the place where taken until they have ar- rived at the personal abode of the possessor or a migratory bird preservation facility. Marking Package or Container No person shall transport by the Postal Service or a common carrier migratory game birds un- less the package or container in which such birds are transported has the name and ad- dress of the shipper and the consignee and an accurate statement of the numbers of each species of birds therein contained clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof. Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp See page 16 for changes to the federal duck stamp language due to the Duck Stamp Mod- ernization Act of 2023. The law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older must carry on their person a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Fed- eral Duck Stamp). The physical Federal Duck Stamp must be validated by the hunter signing the stamp in ink across the face of the stamp. The electronic stamp must be available to present to a Wildlife Officer upon request via an electronic device or physical copy. More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges opened to public hunt- ing. For additional information on refuge-specific regulations see fws.gov/refuges/ . Definitions • Migratory Birds – Birds protected by fed- eral law as a result of treaties signed with
It is legal to take migratory game birds, except waterfowl, coots and cranes, on or over lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas, and where grain or other feed has been distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, or solely as the result of a normal
other countries. Protected migratory birds are listed in Title 50 Code of Federal Regu- lations, Section. 10.13. This list includes almost all birds found in the United States with the exception of the house sparrow, feral pigeon (commonly called rock dove), European starling, Eurasian collared-dove, mute swan, and upland game birds (which are protected by state laws). All migratory birds are protected. How- ever, a subset of migratory birds classified as migratory game birds may be hunted in ac- cordance with state and federal regulations. The list of migratory game birds includes species of ducks, geese (including brant), swans, doves and pigeons, cranes, rails, coots, gallinules and moorhens, woodcock and snipe, if there is an open season. • Daily bag limit – The maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination (aggregate) of species permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season in any one specified geographic area for which a daily bag limit is prescribed. • Aggregate daily bag – The maximum num- ber of migratory game birds permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season when such person hunts in more than one specified geographic area and/or for more than one species for which a combined daily bag limit is prescribed. The aggregate daily bag limit is equal to, but shall not ex- ceed, the largest daily bag limit prescribed for any one species or for any one specified geographic area in which taking occurs. • Possession limit – The maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or a combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person when lawfully taken in the United States in any one speci- fied geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed. • Aggregate possession limit – The maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or combination of species taken in the United States permitted to be possessed by any one person when taking and pos- session occurs in more than one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed. The aggregate possession limit is equal to, but shall not exceed, the largest possession limit prescribed for any one of the species or specified geographic areas in which taking and possession occurs. • Personal abode – One’s principal or ordinary home or dwelling place, as distinguished from one’s temporary or transient place of abode or dwelling such as a hunting club, or any club house, cabin, tent or trailer house used as a hunting club, or any hotel, motel or rooming house used during a hunting, pleasure or business trip. • Migratory bird preservation facility – means: 1. Any person who, at their residence or place of business and for hire or other consideration; or
agricultural operation. Wanton Waste of Migratory Game Birds
No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird without making a reasonable effort to re- trieve the bird, and retain it in his actual custody, at the place where taken or between that place and either (a) his automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility. Non-toxic Shot No person may take ducks, geese (includ- ing brant), swans or coots while possessing shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for blackpowder) other than approved non-toxic shot. For a list of approved non-toxic shot, see https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-04/nontoxic- shot-regulations-hunting-waterfowl-and-coots-us Opening Day of a Season No person on the opening day of the season shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit, or aggre- gate daily bag limit, whichever applies. Field Possession Limit No person shall possess, have in custody, or transport more than the daily bag limit or ag- gregate daily bag limit, whichever applies, of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the place where taken and either (a) his automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility. Tagging Requirement No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at his personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, shipping, transpor- tation, or storage (including temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds have a tag at- tached, signed by the hunter, stating his address, the total number and species of birds, and the date such birds were killed. Migratory game birds being transported in any vehicle as the personal baggage of the possessor shall not be considered as being in storage or temporary storage. Custody of Birds of Another No person shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are properly tagged.
76 2024–2025
Please note: Major regulation changes appear in RED
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