Hunting Regulations

Hunting regulations are laws passed by a country, state, city, province, or territory to:

• Protect resources.
• Protect property rights.
• Protect people.
• Ensure fair chase.
• Ensure equal opportunity, or the quantity and quality of game.
• Gather information.
• Manage wildlife populations.

Every hunter must follow the hunting regulations to behave responsibly and comply with state or provincial legal requirements. These regulations are passed by boards or commissions following a public hearing process. Public hearings are required to give hunters and others an opportunity to provide input or address issues prior to the enactment of statutes or rules and regulations.

Every jurisdiction publishes a booklet containing current hunting regulations. All hunters should become familiar with the requirements well before the hunting season begins. Most hunting regulations are available on the Internet or at places that sell hunting licenses and sporting goods.