Some recent (and not so recent) posts have seen several people express interest in hunting in the USA. Often there is clearly a misunderstanding of what hunting is like over (with online videos and hunting shows being the worst offenders at providing misinformation). Therefore, I am taking it upon myself to try to shed some light. Others on here are free to clarify further, or ask questions..
Broad Overview – USA is a big place and contrary to the stereotypes, we have a great deal of diversity in our outdoor sports. What is considered a normal acceptable method of hunting in one area may be frowned on or even outright illegal in another area. There are however, a few broad strokes of the brush that are valid.
First, we do not manage our wildlife (with the exception of migratory birds, and endangered species) on a National/Federal level. That management is left to each state. Most states using the wording of “the wildlife is held in trust by the state for the benefit of the people” or something similar. Even with migratory birds, the National Government (via the US Fish and Wildlife Service) only sets a framework and then states are free to set their seasons and limits within that framework.
For Europeans that I have spoken with, they often envision our states as something akin to shires/counties. This is a misunderstanding as the majority of our states are quite large. Thirty two of our states each have a landmass greater than England. Forty of our states each have a landmass greater than Scotland. Two of our states (Alaska and Texas) are larger than several European countries combined. So, an average state is quite large and managing wildlife within that state makes much more sense than trying to manage regionally or nationally.
Second, our gun laws, while perhaps lax in your eyes, are a constitutionally protected right, the same as free speech, freedom of religion, and voting. There are some standardized Federal rules that are consistent across the USA. One is that certain classes of criminals are forbidden from possessing firearms or ammunition. The definition of firearm does not however include black powder muzzle loading weapons or archery equipment – so some criminals are still legally allowed to hunt. Only a tiny majority of states require any sort of a permit (FAC) and those that do (IL, NY, MA) associate the permit with the person, never the firearm – so a legally permitted person can own any weapon (except obvious regulated guns like full auto) without needing to track serial number of number of rounds.
Third, the game laws within states are often quite similar within a region. These laws are derived on biological and empirical evidence, as well as tradition. For example, in the southeastern US running deer to the gun with hounds is still practiced. That same practice in the Northeast or Midwest is considered unsportsmanlike and sometimes even extends to a ban on tracking dogs. One law that is consistent nationwide though is the ban on the selling of game meat. If you want to buy venison or waterfowl in the US, it must be farm raised – without exception.
Fourth, our limits and seasons are generally set upon two conditions, the amount of game and the amount of hunters. In areas with extremely large deer populations seasons may be 5 or even 6 months long with extremely generous bag limits. Again, the southeast and Midwest with fertile soils and abundant rainfall often have long seasons, and permissive bag limits. Conversely, the western US, with its harsher conditions and much more arid climate tends to have shorter seasons and more limited take of game.
Fifth, unlike the UK, our wildlife management is almost completely funded by the hunters. Each state sells licenses (the permission to hunt) and tags (the permission to take a certain species). On top of that, all sporting goods have a separate Federal excise tax of 11% placed on them – and this money is re-allocated to the states based on the number of licensed hunters. Additionally, waterfowl stamps are required to hunt migratory birds and the proceeds from this is used to fund National Wildlife Refuges. For the most part, no state receives funding for wildlife from the general tax revenues. License cost usually has two tiers – with residents of a state being able to purchase a license at ½ to 1/10 the cost charged to non-residents. Also, tags for rarer species (for example – big horn sheep) oftent take years to draw in an annual lottery and when drawn often have a high price associated with them.
SIXTH, reporting of game taken. Unlike the UK, nearly every state requires a report for each head of game taken. Sometimes this requires a carcass tag followed by a trip to a physical check station, other times this requires a phone call or internet reported input that allows state wildlife management departments to track the cull numbers in an accurate and timely manner.
THAT is the BROADEST OVERVIEW, now let me be slightly (only slightly) more specific.
Species of big game. With few exceptions – east of the Mississppi river deer means Whitetail deer. There are several subspecies but they are all whitetails. There are also a few huntable populations of Moose in those states near the Canadian border, some recently (last 20 years) reintroduce Rocky Mountain elk, and some “odd pockets” like Sika in the marshes of Maryland, fallow in Western KY at the Land Between the Lakes, and Sambar on a couple islands off Florida. Once you get 300-400 miles west of the Mississippi river you begin to see other deer species (Mule deer, blacktail deer) as well as Moose, Elk, Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, etc…. Additionally we have predator species that are also hunted – such as the black bear which has huntable populations within 35 of the 50 states, as well as cougar/mountain lions, woves, coyotes, bobcats, lynx, several fox species and badger. Feral hogs are classified differently state by state, usually dependent upon the damage they cause. In some states they are classed as vermin and can dispatched with any legal form of take, in other states they have a season (usually to prevent poachers from going out to hunt other things but claiming they are hunting pigs)
Deer Seasons. As a general rule our entire country follows a framework like this.
First season to open – Archery and/or crossbow – usually beginning in late August or Early September. At last count the US has between 3.75-4 million archery hunters. In eastern states this season is often 4-6 months long sometimes ending as late as Feb. As a general rule, within the US you can always hunt with a “more primitive” weapon during a “less primitive” season as long as you obey the laws for each season. What this means is that I can still go out and hunt with archery tackle during gun season, but if gun season requires wearing blaze orange then I must obey that law. Nearly every state has a minimal legal draw weight for bows, and a requirement for cutting edge heads of 7/8-1” minimum in width. If licenses are restricted to a quota for a species archery licenses are usually the easiest to get. Because the success rate is usually 10% or less, they can sell more without actually seeing much of an uptick in actual game taken.
Second season to open – Blackpowder/Muzzleloader – usually late Sept into October. Some states will make this more restrictive by requiring iron sights, or single shot muzzleloaders only. Some other states may allow telescopic sights, inline electronic ignition systems, and modern smokeless powder as long as loaded only through the muzzle. These licenses again are often easier to obtain, because of the lower success rates.
Third season – modern gun. Notice I did not use RIFLE. Depending on hunting tradition, human population density, and geography – some states may require only shotguns with slugs (limiting range) or straight walled pistol cartridges, or even rifle use limited to high seats (to ensure a safer back stop. This season can be as short as 3 days (where I grew up, archery season was 3 months, gun season was 3 days) or as long as 3 months. This depends again on the number of hunters and the planned harvest. In nearly every state, the peak of rifle season is timed to coincide with the peak of the rut. Increasing deer density may lead to a longer season, while falling numbers might result in a shorter season. As a general rule, if licenses are limited to a quota this will be the hardest license to draw. In the case of black bear unlimited license sales may occur, but many states use a sex based quota that allows the season to continue until a threshold number of females is taken then season stops within 24 hours.
Fourth Season – these are often specialty late winter seasons for a specific purpose. Sometimes this may be urban archery hunts in areas where discharge of a firearm would be dangerous or disconcerting. This may also be state parks where parks are at their lowest attendance (or even shut down) making it better time to control animals.
Other seasons – animals such as coyote and feral hog are often allowed to be hunted year round as long as the hunter has a general license.
Bottom line – if you want to come over here to hunt, or hunt while you are over here legally working or on holiday – rely on the state laws rather than looking for National laws.
I hope this helps shed some light – without degenerating into heat. Feel free to chime in or ask questions. We have several other Americans/Canadians on this sight that I’m sure would be glad to answer queries.
Broad Overview – USA is a big place and contrary to the stereotypes, we have a great deal of diversity in our outdoor sports. What is considered a normal acceptable method of hunting in one area may be frowned on or even outright illegal in another area. There are however, a few broad strokes of the brush that are valid.
First, we do not manage our wildlife (with the exception of migratory birds, and endangered species) on a National/Federal level. That management is left to each state. Most states using the wording of “the wildlife is held in trust by the state for the benefit of the people” or something similar. Even with migratory birds, the National Government (via the US Fish and Wildlife Service) only sets a framework and then states are free to set their seasons and limits within that framework.
For Europeans that I have spoken with, they often envision our states as something akin to shires/counties. This is a misunderstanding as the majority of our states are quite large. Thirty two of our states each have a landmass greater than England. Forty of our states each have a landmass greater than Scotland. Two of our states (Alaska and Texas) are larger than several European countries combined. So, an average state is quite large and managing wildlife within that state makes much more sense than trying to manage regionally or nationally.
Second, our gun laws, while perhaps lax in your eyes, are a constitutionally protected right, the same as free speech, freedom of religion, and voting. There are some standardized Federal rules that are consistent across the USA. One is that certain classes of criminals are forbidden from possessing firearms or ammunition. The definition of firearm does not however include black powder muzzle loading weapons or archery equipment – so some criminals are still legally allowed to hunt. Only a tiny majority of states require any sort of a permit (FAC) and those that do (IL, NY, MA) associate the permit with the person, never the firearm – so a legally permitted person can own any weapon (except obvious regulated guns like full auto) without needing to track serial number of number of rounds.
Third, the game laws within states are often quite similar within a region. These laws are derived on biological and empirical evidence, as well as tradition. For example, in the southeastern US running deer to the gun with hounds is still practiced. That same practice in the Northeast or Midwest is considered unsportsmanlike and sometimes even extends to a ban on tracking dogs. One law that is consistent nationwide though is the ban on the selling of game meat. If you want to buy venison or waterfowl in the US, it must be farm raised – without exception.
Fourth, our limits and seasons are generally set upon two conditions, the amount of game and the amount of hunters. In areas with extremely large deer populations seasons may be 5 or even 6 months long with extremely generous bag limits. Again, the southeast and Midwest with fertile soils and abundant rainfall often have long seasons, and permissive bag limits. Conversely, the western US, with its harsher conditions and much more arid climate tends to have shorter seasons and more limited take of game.
Fifth, unlike the UK, our wildlife management is almost completely funded by the hunters. Each state sells licenses (the permission to hunt) and tags (the permission to take a certain species). On top of that, all sporting goods have a separate Federal excise tax of 11% placed on them – and this money is re-allocated to the states based on the number of licensed hunters. Additionally, waterfowl stamps are required to hunt migratory birds and the proceeds from this is used to fund National Wildlife Refuges. For the most part, no state receives funding for wildlife from the general tax revenues. License cost usually has two tiers – with residents of a state being able to purchase a license at ½ to 1/10 the cost charged to non-residents. Also, tags for rarer species (for example – big horn sheep) oftent take years to draw in an annual lottery and when drawn often have a high price associated with them.
SIXTH, reporting of game taken. Unlike the UK, nearly every state requires a report for each head of game taken. Sometimes this requires a carcass tag followed by a trip to a physical check station, other times this requires a phone call or internet reported input that allows state wildlife management departments to track the cull numbers in an accurate and timely manner.
THAT is the BROADEST OVERVIEW, now let me be slightly (only slightly) more specific.
Species of big game. With few exceptions – east of the Mississppi river deer means Whitetail deer. There are several subspecies but they are all whitetails. There are also a few huntable populations of Moose in those states near the Canadian border, some recently (last 20 years) reintroduce Rocky Mountain elk, and some “odd pockets” like Sika in the marshes of Maryland, fallow in Western KY at the Land Between the Lakes, and Sambar on a couple islands off Florida. Once you get 300-400 miles west of the Mississippi river you begin to see other deer species (Mule deer, blacktail deer) as well as Moose, Elk, Bighorn sheep, mountain goats, etc…. Additionally we have predator species that are also hunted – such as the black bear which has huntable populations within 35 of the 50 states, as well as cougar/mountain lions, woves, coyotes, bobcats, lynx, several fox species and badger. Feral hogs are classified differently state by state, usually dependent upon the damage they cause. In some states they are classed as vermin and can dispatched with any legal form of take, in other states they have a season (usually to prevent poachers from going out to hunt other things but claiming they are hunting pigs)
Deer Seasons. As a general rule our entire country follows a framework like this.
First season to open – Archery and/or crossbow – usually beginning in late August or Early September. At last count the US has between 3.75-4 million archery hunters. In eastern states this season is often 4-6 months long sometimes ending as late as Feb. As a general rule, within the US you can always hunt with a “more primitive” weapon during a “less primitive” season as long as you obey the laws for each season. What this means is that I can still go out and hunt with archery tackle during gun season, but if gun season requires wearing blaze orange then I must obey that law. Nearly every state has a minimal legal draw weight for bows, and a requirement for cutting edge heads of 7/8-1” minimum in width. If licenses are restricted to a quota for a species archery licenses are usually the easiest to get. Because the success rate is usually 10% or less, they can sell more without actually seeing much of an uptick in actual game taken.
Second season to open – Blackpowder/Muzzleloader – usually late Sept into October. Some states will make this more restrictive by requiring iron sights, or single shot muzzleloaders only. Some other states may allow telescopic sights, inline electronic ignition systems, and modern smokeless powder as long as loaded only through the muzzle. These licenses again are often easier to obtain, because of the lower success rates.
Third season – modern gun. Notice I did not use RIFLE. Depending on hunting tradition, human population density, and geography – some states may require only shotguns with slugs (limiting range) or straight walled pistol cartridges, or even rifle use limited to high seats (to ensure a safer back stop. This season can be as short as 3 days (where I grew up, archery season was 3 months, gun season was 3 days) or as long as 3 months. This depends again on the number of hunters and the planned harvest. In nearly every state, the peak of rifle season is timed to coincide with the peak of the rut. Increasing deer density may lead to a longer season, while falling numbers might result in a shorter season. As a general rule, if licenses are limited to a quota this will be the hardest license to draw. In the case of black bear unlimited license sales may occur, but many states use a sex based quota that allows the season to continue until a threshold number of females is taken then season stops within 24 hours.
Fourth Season – these are often specialty late winter seasons for a specific purpose. Sometimes this may be urban archery hunts in areas where discharge of a firearm would be dangerous or disconcerting. This may also be state parks where parks are at their lowest attendance (or even shut down) making it better time to control animals.
Other seasons – animals such as coyote and feral hog are often allowed to be hunted year round as long as the hunter has a general license.
Bottom line – if you want to come over here to hunt, or hunt while you are over here legally working or on holiday – rely on the state laws rather than looking for National laws.
I hope this helps shed some light – without degenerating into heat. Feel free to chime in or ask questions. We have several other Americans/Canadians on this sight that I’m sure would be glad to answer queries.
