FEDERAL HUNTING REGULATIONS

In addition to State regulations, the following federal rules apply to the taking, possession, shipping, transporting and storing of migratory game birds:

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 is incapable of removal 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 of a car or other motor-driven land conveyance or any aircraft, EXCEPT that paraplegic and single or double amputees of the legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance. "Paraplegic" means an individual afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of the body which involves both legs, usually due to disease of or injury to the spinal cord.

From or by means of any motor boat or sailboat unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sail furled and its progress therefrom has ceased.

By the aid of baiting or on or over a baited area where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.  A baited area is considered to be baited for 10 days after complete removal of any bait.  Baiting includes placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them.  Agricultural areas must be prepared in accordance with official recommendations to be legally hunted.  It is a separate offense to place or direct placement of bait on or adjacent to an area that causes, induces, or allows another to hunt by the aid of bait or over a baited area.  Hunters are responsible for ensuring that an area has not been baited and should verify its legality prior to hunting.  The maximum federal penalties are: for hunting over bait; $15,000/6 months jail, and placing bait; $100,000/1 year jail.

Using records or tapes of migratory bird calls or sounds, or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls.

By driving rallying or chasing birds with any motorized conveyance or any sailboat to put them in the range of the hunter.  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 area.  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 take in any one day 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 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:

1. The hunter's signature
2. The hunter's address
3. The total number of birds involved, by species
4. The dates such birds were killed.

Tagging is required if the birds are being transported by another person for the hunter or if the birds have been left for cleaning, storage (including temporary storage), shipment or taxidermy services.

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 bird 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 a foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (EXCEPT as required in 20.63), 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 (DUCK STAMP)

The law requires that each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age and older must carry on his person a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp) signed in ink across the face.  Hunters younger than 16 may voluntarily purchase a duck stamp and help preserve wetlands for waterfowl.  Louisiana law requires that persons between the ages of 16 and 59 inclusive and non residents 16 years of age and older have a valid state duck stamp, signed in ink across the face, in possession while hunting ducks, geese and coots.  All residents hunting migratory game birds (doves, ducks, goose, woodcock, rails, snipe, coots or gallinules) in Louisiana must be HIP certified in addition to their appropriate licenses.

NONTOXIC SHOT REGULATIONS AND ZONE DESCRIPTIONS

No person shall take migratory game birds while possessing shot other than steel or other approved shot.  This restriction applies only to ducks, geese, brant, swans and coots.

DUAL VIOLATION

Violation of State migratory bird regulations is also a violation of Federal regulations.

REFERENCE

Federal regulations related to migratory game birds are located in Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20.

CAUTION

More restrictive regulations may apply to National Wildlife Refuges open to public hunting.  For more information on Federal regulations, contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agents: Lacombe (985) 882-3756; Lafayette (337) 291-3114; Monroe (318) 325-1735.