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Hunting regulations can seem tedious, but it is usually easy comply with them. In the United States, most regulation is left up to the states, but the federal government steps in to protect certain species. Hunters of migratory waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and swans, are required to purchase a federal “duck stamp” as well as a state license. Endangered species are also protected by federal laws (for a complete list of endangered species, see the US Fish and Wildlife Service website).

State licenses can usually be purchased for the short term (by the day), for the year, or for the long term (multi-year or lifetime). Each state sets its own seasons and offers different varieties of licenses. Large game usually require a species-specific permit and can only be hunted during closely monitored seasons. Most states allow unrestricted hunting of deer for only a few weeks, or even a few days, out of the year. For example, in Kansas, whitetail deer are a highly desired game. Bow hunters enjoy a season stretching from September to December, but gun hunting is much more restricted. Muzzleloaders are permitted for a short time at the beginning of the season, and guns in general are permitted for a few days at the end of the year and again for a few weeks in January. Even during these seasons, deer can only be taken from certain areas, and only antlerless animals can be taken during the January season. In many states, the antlerless restriction applies year-round, and each hunter is permitted to take only a certain number of animals.

Not all animals are so closely regulated. Raccoons, for example, are considered nuisances and can be hunted at any time in much of the United States. Each state government maintains a website with up-to-date regulations and restrictions. These websites can be great sources of information about local animal populations, and many also sell licenses online.

Hunt & Gut www.huntandgut.com