State Hunting Laws

Arkansas Hunting Laws

Arkansas Hunting Laws

 

Arkansas hunting law is passed and administered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. It allows hunting licenses to applicants at or past the age of 16. Hunters must keep the license on their person while hunting. Arkansas hunting licenses are required for all Arkansas hunting activity except for hunting which takes place on "licensed game-bird shooting resorts that supply pen-raised birds."

In order to qualify for a residential hunting license, a person must demonstrate that she or he has lived within the state for at least sixty days preceding the license application and has declared herself or himself as a full-time resident of the state. Annual resident Arkansas hunting licenses can also be obtained by certain kinds of students in regard to their residence in Arkansas, including nonresidents enrolled full-time in state institutions, foreign exchange students either taking full-time courses or residing in Arkansas, and Arkansas residents in educational institutions outside of the state.

A person may not be considered an Arkansas resident only by lieu of owning property in the state. Resident Arkansas hunting licenses can be obtained annually or for individual trips by people stationed in the state as part of active military duty, as well as by Arkansas residents stationed elsewhere for active military duty.

Since 1968 state law has required that Arkansas residents born on or after that year have a card certifying completion of a "Hunter Education" course for hunting in Arkansas, unless they are under the age of 16 and are being directly supervised by a hunter with a Hunter Education card who is at least 21 years old. Hunter Education courses completed outside of the state will be acceptable for nonresidents engaged in Arkansas hunting.

Arkansas hunting leases can be secured through the offices of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The agency requires a payment of $20 for the permit to each of the Arkansas hunting leases, each of which must be covered by separate payments. The Arkansas hunting leases available for use through the state are divided into eight sections. Arkansas hunting leases cannot be secured by permit by people under the age of 16, and once issued they will be valid for a term of one year.

In order to be certified for paid guiding services during hunts, an Arkansas resident must obtain a Resident Guide License from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which will require the payment of a $25 fee.

The exception to this rule exists in the case of guide services which are provided on Arkansas hunting leases provided by the Commission, which requires rather that the guide have a Resident Special Guide License. In order to obtain this license, the prospective guide must be able to show that he or she has been an Arkansas resident for at least a year and pay a $150 fee. Contact an Arkansas lawyer for legal advice and assistance.

Massachusetts Hunting Laws

Massachusetts Hunting Laws

Anyone 15 years of age or older is required to possess licenses to hunt and fish in the state of Massachusetts. However, anyone under the age of 15 may fish without a license keeping in mind all other fishing laws and regulations.

Trapping licenses are required for individuals 12 and older. Such licenses are valid for a calendar year. The minimum age for hunting is 12, provided they are accompanied by a licensed hunter of 18 years of age or older. In addition a single bag limit shall be shared as well as a single firearm or bow. Only one minor is allowed per adult.

There are numerous regulations connected to specific animals and firearm usage, so be advised. I will touch upon some here. In terms of usage of a handgun, you are prohibited from hunting deer, wild turkey, migratory game birds, or gray squirrel with this firearm. You may only use a .357 magnum revolver to hunt Black bear during the September portion of the open season.

Use of a handgun or any firearm for that matter is prohibited during the exclusive archery season for deer. When hunting fox, coyote, and bobcat, you must be aware of the following. The hunting hours for bobcat run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset.

Slightly different are the hunting hours for fox and coyote, which run from a half hour before sunrise to midnight except for coyote during the shotgun deer season when the hunting hours close a half hour after sunset. Take special note, however, that during the pheasant and quail seasons on wildlife management areas stocked with these animals, the hunting hours for all species are from sunrise to sunset.

There are no bag limits for fox coyote or bobcat. While there are no harvest quotas for fox or coyote, the total is 50 for bobcats. No special hunting permit is required as long as you have your hunting license. It is illegal to hunt or pursue bobcat with dogs, or to train bobcat hounds on bobcat during the closed hunting season, except by special permit for authentic research or damage situations.

You are, however, allowed to hunt fox and coyote with hounds and bait as well as fox, coyote, and bobcat with electronic or manually operated calls. Aside from licenses, the following hunting permits may be purchased for the state of Massachusetts: Antlerless Deer, Black Bear, Wild Turkey, Migratory Game Birds, and Crossbow.

Remaining regulations that exist within wildlife management areas are as follows. Individuals are not allowed to partake in any target practice without permission from the director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. No one is permitted to use any means other than a shotgun or bow and arrow during the pheasant and quail season on areas stocked with them except for when hunting raccoons between 9 PM and 3 AM. Knowledge of these specifically tailored regulations is vital to hunter safety. Contact Massachusetts lawyers for legal advice and assistance.

California Hunting Laws

California Hunting Laws

California hunting is supervised by the California Department of Fish and Game. An applicant for a California hunting license must hold a Hunter Education Certificate. Residents of the state can receive a license after the age of 16.  The fee for license applications is set for the 2009/2010 season at $41.20. Nonresidents of the state can obtain a California hunting license for $143.35. Junior hunting licenses are also offered for $10.75.
Disabled veterans may be eligible for receiving licenses at reduced states. These licenses are available through certified License Agents and at the offices of the DFG. During California hunting licenses must be on the hunter’s person. To increase access to legally protected California hunting, the DFG is also planning to introduce the online Automated License Data System for California hunting license registrations.
The DFG reserves the right of deciding which previous areas of residence can provide California hunting certification. In addition to other American states, outside sources for California hunting certification include South Africa and most European countries. Registration for short-term California hunting  is offered through Two-Day Nonresident Hunting Licenses or One-Day Nonresident Hunting Licenses.
The former allows for fixed hunting periods and permissible targets including small game mammals, resident and migratory game birds, “furbearing” animals, and nongame mammals, while excluding animals such as deer, bear, antelope, pig, bighorn sheep and elk. The One-Day California hunting license only applies to certain migratory and resident game birds. 
There are no formal age restrictions on California hunting. Hunters simply have to show some kind of California hunting license. The requirement that hunters demonstrate a level of hunter education provides an informal age restriction. Instructors who provide hunting education services generally require students to be at least 10 years old. Passage of the Hunter Education exam will require basic reading and writing proficiency levels. Hunter Education Courses require commitments of at least 10 hours, divided between take-home assignments, in-class instruction, and practical training. Hunter Education instructors pass students at their discretion.
For prospective hunters who do not have the time to give to this program, an online alternative is available, but with a required four-hour supplemental classroom session. An equivalency certificate can also come from passing an exam in the DFG offices, but the certification it provides is not universally accepted throughout the United States, in contrast to the Hunters Education Certificate. 

Colorado Hunting Laws

Colorado Hunting Laws

Colorado hunting is administered through the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). In order to maintain high Colorado hunting safety standards, hunting license applicants born on or after January 1, 1949 must have valid hunter education cards. Hunter education registration is provided through courses lasting for at least ten hours and ending in written exams and field tests on practical safety knowledge.

The Division of Wildlife provides classroom materials, textbooks and field equipment for these classes. Courses last for at least a minimum of $10 per session, or $20 for crash courses. In addition to courses conducted on-site in traditional classroom settings, Colorado hunting education can also be furnished through take-home studying assignments, online courses, and the accelerated crash courses.

There are also specialized courses offered for what the DOW considers to be the specialized hunting education needs of women and young people. The instructors for hunter education courses are allowed by the state to collect fees at what are considered "reasonable," small amounts, though hunting education classes can also be located free of charge.

About seven hundred hunter education courses are offered each year, through the services of about 500 instructors. Additional charges associated with hunter education courses, such as ammunition and classroom textbooks, are provided by DOW. Certifications from other American states will be accepted in the state, as on occasion will hunting licenses gained in other countries. 

To control the rates at which Colorado hunting affects the wildlife population, the DOW has created 135 Game Management Units (GMUs), variously available at different times in the year.  Colorado elk hunting falls into seven different seasons. The elk hunting seasons are sorted according to date and the kind of allowed hunting weapon.

Categories include "regular rifle," "muzzleloader," "archery,” and "late rifle." Archery season, which lasts from August 28 to September 26, opens the Colorado elk hunting season, and overlaps toward its end with the muzzleloader season, taking place between September 11 and September 19.

The rifle seasons in Colorado elk hunting begin on October 16 and last, separated by intervals of several days, until November 21. Colorado elk hunting is allowed in over eighty GMUs in the state during the second and third "regular rifle" seasons. In some GMUs, Colorado elk hunting is available through the late rifle season for the whole of December. 

Another legal avenue for Colorado hunting exists in the form of over-the-counter licenses, which are also referred to as unlimited licenses. From July 13, 2010 on, licensed hunters will be able to purchase unlimited licenses through an online system. Prior to that date, the two options offered by the state for purchasing unlimited licenses are DOW offices and licensing agents.

Resident hunting licenses will be available after the applicant has lived in the state for at least six months. Exceptions are made for students enrolled full-time in state educational institutions. Though students must be enrolled for six months before making the hunting license application, they are not required to have been residents for all that time.

Members of the U.S. military and Diplomatic Service or of allied military services of other countries serving in Colorado for active duty, as well as their dependents, will be considered residnts. Members of the National Guard who may serve out their duty in Colorado but do not reside there are not eligible.

Contact Colorado lawyers for legal advice and assistance.

 

Connecticut Hunting Laws

Connecticut Hunting Laws

Hunting licenses for Connecticut are administered through the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Hunting license and permit applications can be made online through the state’s Online Sportsmen Licensing System. Hunting licenses registered in this way do not incur payment fees. A Connecticut Conservation ID is issued as a unique number to all people enrolled in the system.
In order to qualify for a hunting license, the applicant must possess proof of having either held a Resident hunting license or having completed a safety education course offered or recognized by the Department of Environmental Protection, such as the Connecticut Conservation Education/Firearms (CE/FS) course. Hunting licenses issued by personal printers can be used by Connecticut hunters. Reprinting of a license in the event of the original paper copy being damaged or lost is provided through a link at the top of the website page.
Conservation Education/Firearms Safety and other safety education courses are administered through the Wildlife Division of the Department of Environmental Protection, which provides certifications to volunteer instructors.
Taking the Conservation Education/Firearms Safety course requires at least sixteen hours for receiving classroom instruction. Additional safety education requirements can increase the time commitment to about twenty hours.
Some of the courses required of hunting license applicants include state hunting and gun laws, hunting ethics, instruction in various forms of firearms, identification of different wildlife, emergency situation responses, and firearm accuracy and safe use. A final written exam will be given comprising 100 questions. In order to pass, at least 80% of the questions must be answered correctly.
In addition to passing the written exam, a hunting license applicant must demonstrate practical safety skills in the field. Practical skills can be demonstrated at firing ranges and fence crossings and by moving firearms before use. Safety certification in firearm use are offered to Connecticut residents of ten years of age and older.
Holders of Connecticut hunting licenses must be at least 12 years old, and from that age to 15 must be supervised by another licensed hunter at least 18 years old. The same hunting licenses available to Connecticut residents are available to members of the U.S. military serving their active duty in the state.
Regulations on the tagging and reporting of larger game are mainly geared by the state toward the hunting of deer and turkey. Other kinds of game provided for by the Department of Environmental Protection include pheasant, tags for which can be ordered online or by licensing agents, and migratory birds, for which a Connecticut Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp or a Connecticut Duck Stamp may be purchased.

Alaska Hunting Laws

Alaska Hunting Laws

 

Hunting in Alaska is administered by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The Department's Board of Game sets regulations. Due to the large size of the state, it is divided into twenty-six Game Management Units (GMUs), each with the authority to set its own seasons in regard to various species of big game.

Alaska hunting law provides for two different kinds of hunting seasons. The first is a general season and thus run according to conventional procedure. Standard requirements for Alaska hunting include the purchase of a hunting permit, acquisition of tags or harvest tickets, and adherence to the limits set by bag limits and the season. General season permits are sold at at sporting good stores and ADF&G offices.

The second category for hunting in Alaska is a permit hunt. The Board of Game holds these to minimize the impact of the hunting season on game populations by restricting the number of hunters. The three basic kinds of permit hunts are drawing hunts, registration hunts, and subsistence hunts. A drawing hunt is open to residents and nonresidents upon payment of an application fee and is awarded by lottery, two of which are held annually, one in spring and the other in winter.

Registration hunts are for the most part made available to both residents and non-residents. Generally there are no limits to the number of permits which may be issued. The few exceptions are those which are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Subsistence hunts are classed under Alaska law on hunting as Tier I and Tier II events and are open only to Alaskan residents.

Other regulations pertaining to nonresidents interested in Alaska hunting involve the placement of tags on carcasses and the requirement for hiring a guide to be present for the entire hunt. While hunting in Alaska, nonresidents who are U.S. citizens must be accompanied by a guide when they are hunting brown bears, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and mountain goats.

An acceptable guide may be either a licensed guide or an Alaskan resident over the age of 19 who falls within, in the language of Alaska hunting law, "the second degree of kindred," which refers to close family relations. Nonresident aliens (non-U.S. citizens) must have guides present for all big game hunting in Alaska. All nonresidents must have at hand the appropriate tags required for various species in big game hunting in Alaska, which must then be locked on to the hide of an animal just after it has been killed.

Authorization for general Alaska hunting is authorized through harvest tickets. These generally apply to sheep, caribou, deer and moose and can be obtained without charge from license vendors. They often are provided with harvest report postcards, which the ADF&G encourages hunters to return soon after a hunt so at to provide consistent information on hunting in Alaska.

Arizona Hunting Laws

Arizona Hunting Laws

Arizona hunting laws are passed and administered by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Department issues collected information in the publication "Arizona Hunting Regulations" issued annually according to the fiscal year. The main guidelines for Arizona hunting laws come from game laws. For instance, game laws identify big game species. On a year to year basis, the Commission Rule provides procedures for implementation of game laws, such as defining hunting seasons and bag limits.

Arizona hunting does not require the orange hunting outfits often mandated by American state hunting law, though the Game and Fish Department recommends such outfits. Registration for Arizona hunting licenses is also unlike common American practice in not

requiring general license applicants to complete hunter education courses. Arizona residents as young as 10 years old can take part in big game hunts. The state's main age-based restriction is to require that hunters from the ages of 10 to 13 have documentation of hunting safety training, either from a state-certified program or course accepted by the state.

Arizona law is geared toward the popularity of Arizona elk hunting and other kinds of big game hunting. Hunt permit-tags are required for Arizona elk hunting and are secured through the lottery-like procedure called "the draw." The availability of hunt permit-tags is adjusted according to the current data on animal population rates. Arizona elk hunting generally takes place through these licenses and attracts far more applicants than is practical.

Beginning in 2008, the agency decided to increase Arizona elk hunting in order to decrease the animals' numbers in problem areas and thereby began offering over-the-counter hunt permit-tags. Arizona elk hunting will only increase to a limited degree through these hunt permit-tags. In addition to elks, other animals classed as big game and thereby subject to the availability of hunt permit-tags are buffaloes, bighorn sheep, javelins, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, mule deer, black bears, and antelopes.

The state considers applicants for Arizona hunting licenses residents after they have lived in the state for at least six months prior to the application. Arizona hunting licenses are offered though the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department or at the toll-free number 1-855-462-0433, through which temporary licenses can be obtained immediately. Temporary licenses are then replaced by regular licenses sent by post. Applicants for hunt permit tags must have regular licenses.

Wyoming Hunting Laws

Wyoming Hunting Laws

Compared to most states, Wyoming is quite lenient regarding their laws for hunting. The requirements and regulations are of minimal standards are much below other states which benefits and makes things less stressful when either applying to hunt, or whether you are on the hunting ground itself. Below are Wyoming law and regulations which need to be known in order to perform the act of hunting within the state of Wyoming.

In order to qualify for a Wyoming hunting license, one must have resided in Wyoming for a full year following the date the application was filed. One must not claim residency in any other state during the one year of claimed residency in Wyoming.

Based upon employment, education, or vacation out of the state, residence is maintainable as long as their leave is not long-term. The minimum age to hunt in the State of Wyoming is twelve years. On the other hand, no person born prior to January 1, 1966 may apply for any sort of hunting license within the state of Wyoming. This limits one to being able to take wildlife solely off the land of his/her own family, by the use of a firearms.

Sportsman who are licensed to hunt in Wyoming hunters must purchase a single conservation stamp, a $10 value, which will be valid for one calendar year. The stamp must contain an ink signature and also must be handy while engaged in their hunt.

There is a lifetime conservation stamp available for $150. The following are exceptions do not need an annual conservation stamp: Pioneer license holders, resident or non-resident daily game bird/small license holders, and resident of state institutions.

During special archery hunting seasons, without obtaining an archery license as well as having a hunting license, one shall not hunt big or trophy game with a bow and arrow or a crossbow. During this season, it is unlawful to have possession of a firearm while hunting. No special archery license is required in order to hunt game birds or small game, but the proper hunting license for the species being hunted is a requirement.

A Check station is designed for hunters to stop by and report their findings or any information felt obligated to communicate. Check stations are conveniently located at entrances and exits of hunting grounds, no need to stop at one unless it is on your route.

Wyoming hunting clothing requirements are created in order to ensure safety when out on the grounds. Whether big game, or small game, there is always a possibility of an accident when initially coming into contact with fellow hunters who may not be aware of your presence. A fluorescent orange color is mandatory when wearing a hate, coat, jacket, shirt, and or a vest when on the hunting grounds. The exceptions are during special archery seasons or areas specified strictly for archers.

There are certain actions which the state of Wyoming deems illegal, whether it is to protect other individuals, or to protect the interest of various entities.. One is not allowed to shoot or attempt to kill any wildlife within the proximity of any public areas, there must be a fence in between, being the dividing factor.

The taking of any game animal for another person; or the bartering of any edible portions of an animal. As far as dogs are concerned, Title 23 suggests that dogs are only allowed to be used to hunt bobcats or mountain lions.

The use of any vehicle in order to pursue any wildlife is prohibited, except for predatory animals. Meat from big game wildlife is all that can be abandoned, one is not allowed to intentionally or needlessly let any game animal go to waste. It is a violation of Federal Law to transport illegally taken wildlife across state lines.

 

Pennsylvania Hunting Laws

Pennsylvania Hunting Laws

Pennsylvania hunting is regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The mission of this entity is to ensure that all wildlife species are protected and hunted in a legal manner. Pennsylvania offers a diverse selection of wildlife to hunt and also offers fishing on the Lake Erie.

The wildlife in the state of Pennsylvania is among the most diverse in the nation, and offers and abundance of activities for hunters and alike. Pennsylvania hunting of black bears is regulated within the state so that allow manually operated center-fire firearms, handguns, shotguns, with all lead bullets and or ball that are designed to expand on impact. It is important that these rifles are used to stay within regulation of Pennsylvania hunting laws.

Muzzle loads are allowed, as well as longbows. Specifically bow hunters must use arrows with broad heads to ensure that they expand on entry. Automatic and semi-automatic weapons are not allowed in the state of Pennsylvania. Additionally, any sight altering devices such as light devices are not permitted under Pennsylvania law

Pennsylvania licensing types are different and vary depending on what is being hunted. Adult hunting licenses are offered to residence of Pennsylvania between the ages of seventeen and sixty four.

This type of Pennsylvania hunting license can be used to hunt general game and birds that are not associated with any particular regulation. Junior residential licenses are issued to those who are under the age of seventeen and require that they are accompanied by an adult. These individual hunters must have completed a hunter-trapper education course and offer the opportunity to receive a combination license.

Combination licenses are given granting children the opportunity to engage in archery, muzzle shooting, and grant hunting. Pennsylvania hunting license regulations make specific license for archery, muzzle loading, bow hunting, and non residence. Non residence have to pay a higher fee to obtain a Pennsylvania hunting license. Additionally license for bear hunting and second spring gobbler seasons are acquired by a certain date and are higher for non residence than for residence of Pennsylvania.

The Resident DMAP Harvest Permit is a license that can be used for both general or combination hunting, and offers specific versions of itself for antler less deer, and alike. This same license for non residence is double in the price. A special Pennsylvania hunting license is know as one that requires a special drawing to obtain. This is used when hunters are searching for elk, or bobcats. Both are a Pennsylvania hunting license that allows only one of these animals are caught a year by the chosen hunters.

Pennsylvania hunting laws operate according to licensing and regulation. It is important to the state as a whole that they preserve the wildlife at all costs. To help protect wildlife hunters can first comply with the hunting laws of the state, and second volunteer to spread awareness about the crimes committed on wildlife. Additionally, when hunting people could report any unlawful hunting practices seen. It is the mission of the Pennsylvania Game Commission to protect the wildlife at all costs. 

 

Rhode Island Hunting Laws

Rhode Island Hunting Laws

The Department of Environmental Management offers regulatory procedures and guidance to residence and non residence that are interested in hunting and reserving wildlife. The general hunting law in the state of Rhode Island are guided by specific permits or licenses that a hunter must obtain.
The All Outdoors Package Permit allows a hunter to take up to twelve deer during the deer hunting season, archers are only allowed six, muzzle holders and those with shot guns only are allowed four, and six antler less deer. The deer that have antlers are more protected than those without them.
Hunting rules allow for hunters to earn what is known as a bucket permit. This permit allows an archer to take one additional deer. Hunting rules in Rhode Island do not require the hunters to wear orange suites like most other states due. Animals that can be hunted in accordance to hunting rules include, antler less deer, bearded turkeys, migratory birds, and sea life for fishing. 
Hunting law in Rhode Island is regulated by what is called the Lacey Act of nineteen ninety, is the first game law. It’s job is to regulate interstate and international wildlife conservation. The term wildlife refers to wild birds,amphibians, reptiles, mollusk, crustacean, or their dead bodies, arts, eggs. or offspring.
The hunting rules of this act are meant to protect the animal life itself. This act does not include migratory birds which are protected under another act known as the Migratory Bird Act. This act was signed in nineteen eighteen and is used to protects any migratory bird under federal law. This was agreed upon between the United States, Great Britain, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. 
Hunting laws under Rhode Island state law prohibit the removal of any reptile or amphibian from the wild for any reason. This is a way that the  state protects the life of small animals, and big ones as well that are often not respected by residences. Hunting rules regulate the bag limits for small game such as, red foxes, gray foxes, gray squirrels, cotton tail rabbits, hare, ruffed goose, quail, pheasant, junior pheasant, and raccoon.
Hunting law for these animals range from one to five of each animal daily. Te only exception is that of the red and gray foxes which are zero, and the Raccoon which is unlimited. Hunting rules for migratory game include, dove, rails, snipe, woodchuck, crow, Canadian goose, and sea duck. The limits for these animals are specific and change due to the rarity of all of these birds.
Coyote hunting lasts from September through February, and hunting rules require that hunters possess both coyote and wild turkey permits in order to hunt. Wild turkey hunting season lasts from April to May for spring gobblers, junior, and paraplegic turkey hunting. Hunting rules regulate archery, and it lasts from the Beginning of September until the end. Hunting law in Rhode Island is not extensive as in other states, and mostly small game is hunted. However, hunting does occur, and it is vital to the Department of Environmental Management that wildlife is protected.