8 replies to this topic

[acousticmood]

There are a ton of California species of birds that are not under any danger of low populations.Check this out http://en.wikipedia....alifornia_birdsHow come we can only shoot 4 non-game birds?

[ShooterJohn]

Well the part that says you can't do it is a Federal Law called Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. You can read this:http://en.wikipedia....aty_Act_of_1918Or this one is better as it is from the Feds.http://www.fedcenter...amp;pge_id=1606Then here are all the laws that cover it including search warrants, fines and jail time etc.http://www.access.gp...chapterii_.htmlI don't make this stuff up the government is serious about these birds. Since all birds migrate only a few are deem killable.

[acousticmood]

Don't even need to read it - I know I don't want to be made an example of. It just seems wierd that's all.Can we still shoot lizards? lol

[ShooterJohn]

Truthfully no, lizards are protected but I won't say a word.

[acousticmood]

Wow! So are we allowed to step on ants or squash spiders or swat a fly?Please say yes.

[Braz]

But no fruit flys in San Francisco.

[DKOwen]

Actually, Crows are out of season right now.... December 1 to April 2? And then only in some areas of the state (much is closed to sport hunting Crows), you need to look that part up.Other issues exist as well. The good news is they're not 'Resident Small Gaime', therfore you don't need a stamp. You do, of course need a hunting license to shoot 'anything with fur or feathers'. That means the English Sparrows, Starlings and feral pigeons as well as rats and ground squirrels. Game animals (like tree squirrels) can only be hunted in season and where permitted (Sport Hunting tree squirrels are basically banned in the south of the state). Turkeys and other Resident Game Birds need the Upland Stamp in addition to the license.The bad news is American Crows are Migratory, this means they're on the Federal Migratory Treaty list (with Mexico). California hunting laws can't change the Federal method of take, they are "shotgun only" for sporting purposes as I understand it. You can see this if you read the regulations carefully. I would not want to be the test case. True depredation shooting is another matter, of course. But Crows would seem to be off the Sport Hunting list for airguns, and only legal in some places for 4 months in the winter and not with airguns.And as with any bird or mammal hunting, you need a license. Which probably means taking Hunter Education, where they tell you all about this good stuff.There's some useful reading at:http://www.dfg.ca.go...-lands-regs.pdfDoug Owen

[Bozsik]

You need a fishing license to take the lizards unless you are under 16. Specific species have limit restrictions. Rattlesnakes are the only Herp I can think of that you don't need a license to take.db

[ShooterJohn]

Actually this is what the regulations say is legal.§472. General Provisions.Except as otherwise provided in Sections 478 and 485 and subsections (a) through (d) below, nongame birds and mammals may not be taken.( a ) The following nongame birds and mammals may be taken at any time of the year and in any number except as prohibited in Chapter 6: English sparrow, starling, coyote, weasels, skunks, opossum, moles and rodents (excluding tree and flying squirrels, and those listed as furbearers, endangered or threatened species).