Wildlife Laws

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Wildlife Laws
Alabama Hunter Education Program
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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
ResourcesDivision of Wildlife and Freshwater
FisheriesLaw Enforcement Section

• Conservation Enforcement Officer
• Primary section of the Division of Wildlife and
  Freshwater Fisheries responsible for enforcement
  of laws and regulations.

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Conservation Enforcement OfficerMinimum
Employment Requirements

• High School graduate
• Valid Alabama Drivers License
• 70 score on CEO Employment Examination
• Pass background check
• Graduate from police academy
• One year on the job probation period

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Conservation Enforcement Officer

• Officers qualify twice a year with firearms

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How to contact a Conservation Enforcement Officer

• Work out of homes and contacted via
• 1. Telephone district office
• 2. Local law enforcement agencies
• 3. Gamewatch 1-800-272-4263
• Average of 2 CEOs per county plus supervisors
  and Montgomery office staff.

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Operation Gamewatch

• To report an Alabama wildlife law violation in
  progress, call Operation Gamewatch at
  1-800-272-4263.
• Call your local District Office or the State
  radio operator at 334-242-3467 to provide
  information regarding past violations or to have
  your local Conservation Enforcement Officer
  contact you.

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Job Description

• Patrol assigned area to detect and deter
  violations
• Make random checks to assure compliance with laws
  and regulations
• Answer animal complaints

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• Investigate crop damage complaints
• Conduct hunter education courses
• Educate the public regarding laws and regulations
• Assist with community fishing events

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• Investigate reported violations
• Investigate hunting accidents
• Inspect license agents
• Conduct public meetings regarding fish and
  wildlife issues

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Tools of the Trade
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Arrest Powers

• State law enforcement officer with full arrest
  powers and may exercise such powers anywhere in
  the state.
• Primary responsibility toward enforcement of
  wildlife laws and regulations but may make an
  arrest for any violation of state or federal law.
• Most arrests are misdemeanors and are handled
  through the District Court.

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All states have hunting laws that govern the
activities of hunters. These laws are necessary
for four basic reasons

• Protect and conserve wildlife resources and their
  habitat.
• Insure equal opportunity to participate in
  wildlife recreation.
• Insure safety and welfare of the hunting and
  non-hunting public.
• Insure fair chase of game.

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Who owns wildlife?

• Ownership of land does not include ownership of
  wildlife.
• The state of Alabama owns and manages all
  wildlife within its borders on behalf of the
  states citizens.
• The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
  is the agency responsible for managing fish and
  wildlife resources.

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Laws and regulations

• Wildlife laws can only be passed by the state
  legislature.
• Regulations that control the place, time, and
  manner in which wildlife is taken are established
  by the Commissioner of the Department of
  Conservation and Natural Resources.
• Effective laws and regulations are a vital part
  of a progressive wildlife management program.

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• When you buy a license to hunt, you take on the
  responsibility of knowing and obeying all hunting
  laws and regulations.
• Unlike most recreational activities, in hunting
  there are no referees to go along and make sure
  you obey the rules.
• You are your own referee and it is your
  responsibility to act in a safe, law abiding
  manner.

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The future of hunting depends on you.

• Know and obey all laws and regulations.
• Do not associate with hunters who do not obey the
  laws and regulations, or fail to respect the
  private property, and, or rights of other people.
• Wildlife belongs to everyone, and each of us must
  do our part to ensure that future generations
  will have the same opportunity to participate in
  wildlife recreation.

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources Division of Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries
Governor
Commissioner
Director
Enforcement Section
Fisheries Section
Wildlife Section
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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting without permission
• First Offense Minimum 250 Fine
• Possible 1 year revocation of hunting privileges
• Second Offense Minimum 500 Fine
• 1 year revocation of hunting privileges

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting at night
• First Offense - 1000-2000
• 3 year revocation of hunting privileges
• Second Offense Min. 2000
• 3 year revocation of hunting privileges
• 3-10 days in jail

Confiscation of firearms and vehicles involved.
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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting from a public road
• First Offense Minimum 250
• Second Offense Minimum 500
• 1 year revocation of hunting privileges

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting with the aid of bait
• Deer or Turkey - 250-2,000 fine
• 1 year revocation of hunting privileges
• Possible 10-30 days in jail

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting during closed season
• Minimum fine is 50.00
• Maximum fine is 500.00
• Up to 6 months imprisonment

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting migratory birds with a gun capable of
  holding more than 3 shells
• Hunting without a license
• Possession of a firearm in a WMA without a permit

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Failure to wear hunter orange

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Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations

• Hunting during restricted hours
• Exceeding bag or creel limit
• Hunting with improper arms or ammunition

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Name the violations!

• Hunting from a public road
• Hunting from a railroad right-of-way
• Hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle
• Hunting without permission

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Name the violations!

• Shooting across or hunting from a railroad
  right-of-way
• Failure to wear sufficient hunter orange

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Name the violations!

• Hunting from a railroad right-of-way
• Failure to wear sufficient hunter orange

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Name the violations!

• Assuming this is a real gobbler, name the
  violations!
• Hunting turkeys from a treestand with a firearm

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Name the violations!

• Assuming this is a real gobbler, name the
  violations!
• None, it is legal to hunt any game animal from an
  elevated platform with archery equipment.

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Name the violations!

• Hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle
• NOTE - Using a stationary vehicle as a blind or
  stand on private property is legal

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources Division of Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries
www.dcnr.state.al.us