Hunting key regulations
To be sustainable, safe, and even fair, hunting in the U.S. is an object of several, strict regulations that must be accomplished by all hunters, all the time. This allows keeping animals population high enough to avoid endangering while hunting skills and experiences may pass from one generation to the next.
Such regulations are multiple and vary widely from state to state, among counties, and even between seasons, so it remains paramount to be updated with local, state, and federal regulations applicable in the area you are planning to hunt.
It's important to avoid law infringement, otherwise, your hunting permit may be revoked, a fine applied, and, depending on the case, the hunt might face jail.
So, it's an individual responsibility to be aware of applicable regulations in a given area, for a specific game animal during a particular season however, several general, key guidelines may be a guideline since most of the regulations are aligned with the following principles (remember, it may vary, this is just a general guideline):
1. Railroads, highways, and rights of way
It's not allowed to hunt near any public roadway, railroads, or rights of way. These are public lands where hunting is prohibited due to many reasons, being the most
important risk for people near there.
2. Hunting from vehicles
Hunting from a motor land vehicle is prohibited unless specif regulations allow it. A general exception is hunting waterfowl birds from boats as well some crocodile hunting from hovercrafts in certain southern states.
3. Dogs
Regulations regarding hunting with dogs vary widely from state to state and depending on the game. In this regard dogs usually are allowed to retrieve waterfowls or track predators such as pumas. On the other hand, deer hunting with dogs usually is not allowed.
Be sure to be informed about local regulations about when hunt with hounds is permitted or not.
4. Bait
In most cases, baiting is an illegal practice and it's not allowed. This practice is negative because of many reasons including, but not limited to: it attracts animals towards humans and later some wildlife species might move towards nearby cities looking for "human food". Remember, many animals might smell food miles away!
It's unfair. One of the most important activities for all animals is feeding and using a source of food to kill them remains unfair and lacks ethics, so luring is prohibited almost in all situations.
A couple of exceptions are luring deer and wild pigs in private lands, when it's possible to do it if the owner authorizes baiting, however hunting other species than those for who the bait was placed is not allowed, furthermore, a land is considered as baited for 30 days after removal of bait, so it will be a banned hunting area during all that period.
IMPORTANT: It's not allowed to bait on public lands
5. Unallowed hunting methods
Hunter must use tracking, knowledge, scouting, and common sense to find, thrill and catch their games. It nos allowed to use smoke, fire, explosives, or gas to push animals towards a given hunting ground to shoot them later.
This is unethical, risky, and endangers not only animals but also vegetal life and even humans in the area.
It remains clear there are too many laws and regulations to comply with, so the next time you go out for hunting, keep in mind all of them in order to enjoy your expedition, comply with the law and protect nature and wildlife as well.
