Wildlife Conservation Act

This act governs the conservation and management of a state's wildlife resources, prohibiting the taking of wildlife except as authorized and barring the taking of wildlife on private land without the landowner's consent. Its central mechanism is delegated regulatory authority: a wildlife commission carries a general duty to regulate and study wildlife populations and exercises that duty largely through proclamations setting open seasons and related conditions on hunting and fishing, subject to procedures for local hearings, public notice, adoption, effective dates and duration, amendment or revocation, and judicial review. It also addresses particular species and populations — including deer, antelope, bighorn sheep, migratory game birds, and crayfish — and provides for special permits and cooperative agreements, youth and veteran hunting allowances, population measures such as wildlife contraception, seizure and disposition of property, penalties, and limited defenses to prosecution or dismissal of charges.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.