http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/

JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

FedeRAL ReguLAtIons suMMARy
In addition to state regulations, the
following federal rules apply to taking,
possession, shipping, transporting,
and storing of migratory game birds.
This is only a summary. Each hunter
should also consult actual regulations,
which may be found in Title 50, Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 20.
reStrictionS: No person shall take migratory
game birds:
• With a trap, snare net, rifle, pistol, swivel
gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun,
battery gun, machine gun, fishhook, poison,
drug, explosive or stupefying substance.
• With a shotgun capable of holding more
than three shells, unless it is plugged with
a one-piece filler which cannot be removed
without disassembling the gun.
• From a sink box (a low floating device,
having a depression affording the hunter a
means of concealment beneath the surface
of the water).
• From or with the aid or use of a car or
other motor-driven vehicle, or any aircraft,
except that paraplegic and single or double
amputees of the legs may take from any stationary
motor vehicle. “Paraplegic” means
an individual afflicted with paralysis of the
lower half of the body with involvement of
both legs, usually due to disease of or injury
to the spinal cord.
• From or by means of any motor boat or sail
boat unless the motor has been completely
shut off and/or the sail furled and its progress
therefrom has ceased.
• By the use or aid of live decoys. All live,
tame or captive ducks and geese shall be
removed for a period of 10 consecutive days
prior to hunting and confined within an
enclosure which substantially reduces the
audibility of their calls and totally conceals
such tame birds from the sight of migratory
waterfowl.
• Using records or tapes of migratory bird
sounds, or electronically amplified imitations
of bird calls.
• By driving, rallying or chasing birds with any
motorized conveyance or any sail boat to put
them in range of hunters.
• By the aid of baiting (placing feed such as
corn, wheat, salt or other feed to constitute
a lure or enticement), or on or over any
baited areas. Hunters should be aware that
a baited area is considered to be baited for
10 days after the removal of the bait, and it
is not necessary for the hunter to know an
area is baited to be in violation.
cloSed SeaSon
No person shall take migratory game birds
during the closed season.
Shooting or haWking hoUrS
No person shall take migratory game birds
except during the hours open to shooting and
hawking as prescribed.
daily Bag liMit
No person shall possess more than one daily
bag limit.
Field PoSSeSSion liMit
No person shall possess more than one daily
bag limit while in the field or while returning
from the field to one’s car, hunting camp,
home, etc.
Wanton WaSte
All migratory game birds killed or crippled
shall be retrieved, if possible, and retained in
the custody of the hunter in the field.
tagging
No person shall give, put or leave any migratory
game birds at any place or in the custody of
another person unless the birds are tagged by
the hunter with the following information: The
hunter’s signature, address, the total number
of birds involved by species and the dates such
birds were killed. No person or business shall
receive or have in custody any migratory game
birds belonging to another person unless such
birds are properly tagged.
PoSSeSSion oF live BirdS
Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be
immediately killed and included in the daily
bag limit.
dreSSing
No person shall completely field dress any
migratory game bird (except doves and
band-tailed pigeons) and then transport the
birds from the field. The head or one fully
feathered wing must remain attached to all
such birds while being transported from the
field to one’s home or to a migratory bird
preservation facility.
ShiPMent
No person shall ship migratory game birds unless
the package is marked on the outside with:
(a) the name and address of the person sending
the birds, (b) the name and address of the
person to whom the birds are being sent, and
(c) the number of birds, by species, contained
in the package.
iMPortation
For information regarding the importation
of migratory birds killed in another country,
hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 through
20.66. One fully feathered wing must remain
attached to all migratory game birds being
transported between a port of entry and one’s
home or to a migratory bird preservation
facility. No person shall import migratory
game birds killed in any foreign country,
except Canada, unless such birds are dressed
(except as required above), drawn and the
head and feet are removed. No person shall
import migratory game birds belonging to
another person.
Migratory Bird hUnting and
conServation StaMP
The law requires that each waterfowl hunter
16 years of age and over must carry on his or
her person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamp (duck stamp) signed
in ink across the face.
dUal violation
Violation of state migratory bird regulations is
also a violation of federal regulations.
caUtion
More restrictive regulations may apply to
National Wildlife Refuges open to public
hunting. For additional information on federal
regulations, contact Special Agent-in-Charge,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, RM 132-C, U.S.
Courthouse, 801 Broadway, Nashville, TN
37203. Telephone 615-736-5532.
to RepoRt RecoveReD Duck
anD gooSe banDS call:
1-800-327-band (2263)
/www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl
10 2008 Waterfowl Guide