Wildlife Laws Alabama Hunter Education Program Alabama Department

Wildlife Laws Alabama Hunter Education Program

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Law Enforcement Section Conservation Enforcement Officer n Primary section of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries responsible for enforcement of laws and regulations. n

Conservation Enforcement Officer Minimum Employment Requirements n n n High School graduate Valid Alabama Driver’s License 70% score on CEO Employment Examination Pass background check Graduate from police academy One year on the job probation period

Conservation Enforcement Officer • Officers qualify twice a year with firearms

How to contact a Conservation Enforcement Officer n n n 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 CEO’s per county plus supervisors and Montgomery office staff.

Operation Gamewatch n n To report an Alabama wildlife law violation in progress, call “Operation Gamewatch” at 1800 -272 -4263. Call your local District Office or the State radio operator at 334242 -3467 to provide information regarding past violations or to have your local Conservation Enforcement Officer contact you.

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

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

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

Tools of the Trade

Arrest Powers n n n 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.

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. n Insure equal opportunity to participate in wildlife recreation. n Insure safety and welfare of the hunting and non-hunting public. n Insure fair chase of game. n

Who owns wildlife? n n n 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 state’s citizens. The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is the agency responsible for managing fish and wildlife resources.

Laws and regulations n n n 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.

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

The future of hunting depends on you. n n n 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.

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

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting n without permission First Offense – Minimum $250 Fine Possible 1 year revocation of hunting privileges n Second Offense – Minimum $500 Fine 1 year revocation of hunting privileges

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting at night n First Offense - $1000$2000 3 year revocation of hunting privileges n Second Offense – Min. $2000 3 year revocation of hunting privileges 3 -10 days in jail Confiscation of firearms and vehicles involved.

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting from a public road First Offense – Minimum $250 Second Offense – Minimum $500 1 year revocation of hunting privileges

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

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting n n n during closed season Minimum fine is $ 50. 00 Maximum fine is $ 500. 00 Up to 6 months imprisonment

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting migratory birds with a gun capable of holding more than 3 shells n Hunting without a license n Possession of a firearm in a WMA without a permit

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Failure to wear hunter orange

Commonly Violated Wildlife Laws and Regulations n Hunting during restricted hours n Exceeding bag or creel limit n Hunting with improper arms or ammunition

Name the violations! n n Hunting from a public road Hunting from a railroad right-of-way Hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle Hunting without permission

Name the violations! n n Shooting across or hunting from a railroad right-of-way Failure to wear sufficient hunter orange

Name the violations! n n Hunting from a railroad right-of-way Failure to wear sufficient hunter orange

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

Name the violations! n n 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.