Migratory Bird Laws

[volguy]

Can someone answer a question about possession limits and bag limits, not only on migratories but any type of bird (quail, pheasant, etc.). If you go on a 5 day hunt, you can have 5 limits in your possession when transporting across state lines, intra-state lines, etc.? Is this correct. There is a difference between the way I read the possession laws and the way a friend reads the law. Can someone clarify?

[crow]

At no time may you have in your possession more than two times the daily bag limit for migratory birds. You will see much discussion about that one during the course of the season! Fair/unfair Right/wrong Makes for some right interesting debate!

[litlhitch]

from my understanding you have to have each of the species harvested tagged, telling who killed, where it was killed, species, etc.
you can have 60 ducks in your possession as long as there has been 10 days of hunting (6 ducks per day), you just cant have more ducks in your possession than legaly possible.

[Chad Manlove]

Really depends on which state you plan to hunt. You must find out the daily and possession limits for each species. They may vary.

For example, if you go duck hunting in South Dakota. The daily limit is 6 ducks/day. The possession limit is 12. This means when you return home from your hunting trip, you're only allowed to have 12 birds in your possession. To transport your birds, they must be tagged with at least the head or wing still attached.

Here's the problem. You go hunting for 5 days. You are only allowed to have 2 limits in your possession. Therefore, you'd better take a gas grill with you and plan on eating a lot of birds. You might also be allowed to donate some birds to a local food bank.

My example was for waterfowl, but this applies to all game birds harvested in South Dakota. Transport and Possession laws may vary by state.

Hope this helps.
Chad

[GulfCoast]

You can only have 2 limits with you per our local warden, no matter how many days you have been hunting. You gotta eat a lotta duck if you are out for a week!

[volguy]

i had called the feds about this one because i had a lawyer friend tell me that you are only allowed the possession limit (which varies by state) with you at anytime. This is the most absurd thing I have ever heard because it means if you are hunting more than two days (in most states since the possession is twice the daily limit in most states), you have to do something with the birds. I know that the law is intended for lawbreakers, but it encourages wanton waste because people will just throw away their extra birds which is terrible for someone that loves to eat wild game. If you are in a strange town and can't give the birds as a gift, you are screwed and can never hunt more than two days anywhere you go. However, the federal agent did tell me that you END YOUR POSSESSION limit if you go the the post office and mail your birds home and this is stated in the code of federal regulation as well.

I hope everyone else realizes as I have that the game laws have gotten rediculous. I hope everyone will let their congressman know that these laws need changed and amended. It is getting to the point that it isn't even worth putting up with the bullcrap to hunt because you will get in trouble and fined for anything you do that is even close to being wrong.

[litlhitch]

i was told in one of my policy classes that you could have up to 360 ducks in your freezer, after duck season (60 days x 6 ducks/day) as long as they were "tagged"

[Wildfowler]

i was told in one of my policy classes that you could have up to 360 ducks in your freezer, after duck season (60 days x 6 ducks/day) as long as they were "tagged"

I don't think that's true, but I really don't know for sure. Also, I don't think the possession limit varies from state to state because it's a federal law, but rest assured, the GW's aren't going to check your freezer in your home. They will however check your freezer in your duck camp, and if you happen to be the only club member there, guess who gets the ticket if those ducks aren't tagged properly and there is more than a possession limit in the freezer at the time they show up?

[gadwall2]

Once again this topic surfaces. You can only have a posession limit with you at any time. I don't agree with the law, but it is the law. The posession limit is aimed at poachers, but it throws a kink into the law abiding hunters that go on a hunting trip more than two days and have success. I wish there was a way that you could check your birds with the GW's and have them verify your count and sign off on it so that you could be legal and hunt more. I am surprised that this issue has not been put into heavier debate by MS, AR, and LA.

The other option is Fed-Ex and dry ice.

[volguy]

they can check your freezer in your home and they will. you are only allowed twice the possession limit or whatever the possession limit is in a particular state at anytime. the feds only set certain laws. they leave possession limits up to the individual states.

there would be a lot more discussion about this if hunters would let their congressman realize how crazy some of these laws are for law abiding hunters. you can read all of the laws by typing in "code of federal regulation" in yahoo and looking up title 50 part 20.

It takes five minutes to look up your congressman on the internet and send him an email. just tell him to read the code of reg. and if he is a hunter, he will realize this needs amended.[/quote]

[litlhitch]

guess i was dreaming during class that day. THAT HAS GOT TO BE ONE OF THE STUPIDEST LAWS I HAVE EVER HEARD.

[BoogaBottom]

How many pounds of breast meat in the freezer ?? Couldnt resist....

Yes sir, all them strips came from this one Hoss Greenhead I shot last year...he went narely 15 pounds !!

If the MAN took a look in my freezer, it would scare him to death, and I know he wouldnt take the time to sort it all out.....thanks to my wife !

This one comes up every year.....

[MSDuckmen]

you are only allowed twice the possession limit or whatever the possession limit is in a particular state at anytime. the feds only set certain laws. they leave possession limits up to the individual states.

Negative......

Possession limits are in the Federal Regulations, States can make changes but in a court of law the Federal statue will stand.

Gulfcoast, Judgejb..

These boys need to know the facts so please give them to us..... I believe I'm right.

[Doc & Nash]

The only thing I know to be a fact is that the possession limit does ot apply to the opening day of the season. After that I do not worry about it. I will only shoot one limit a day if I am lucky and if they want to nail me for breaking the possession law then they are going to have to do it. I label all my game with what it is and when it was shot, and who killed it with their license number even if I shot it and it is in my freezer. I would imangine that if they wanted to they could write you a ticket for what you have in your home because that is in your possession.