Wanton Waste laws in the U.S.

Wanton Waste Laws

ALASKA

AS 16.30.010. Wanton Waste of Big Game Animals and Wild Fowl

(a) It is a class A misdemeanor for a person who kills a big game animal or furbearer or a species of wild fowl to fail intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence to salvage for human use the edible meat or fur of the animal or fowl.
(b) If a person is convicted of violating this section and in the course of that violation failed to salvage from a big game animal at least the hindquarters as far as the distal joint of the tibia-fibula (hock), the court shall impose a sentence of imprisonment of not less than seven consecutive days and a fine of not les than $2,500.
(c) The imposition or execution of the minimum sentence described in (b) of this section may not be suspected under AS 12.55.080 or 12.55.085. The minimum sentence prescribed in (b) of this section may not be reduced.

INDIANA
Wanton Waste—It is illegal to kill or cripple any wild animal without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal to include in your daily bag limit. It is illegal, however, to enter private property without permission to retrieve downed game. Before your hunt, make sure you have permission to track game on land adjoining your hunting area.

KANSAS

Giving, Receiving Game

Game given to another person must be accompanied by the donor’s written name, address, hunting or fishing license number or permit number (if permit required), and signature, as well as the date of donation. (Download Suggested Donation Form)

Sale of Game

It is illegal to sell wild game meat. This includes the sale of game at banquets or charitable events. Furbearer meat may be sold. (See “Disposing of Furbearers”)

Wanton Waste

By regulation, hunters must attempt to find any game crippled or killed. Retrieved animals must be kept until they are:

1. cleaned;
2. eaten;
3. taken home;
4. taken to a taxidermist or processor; or
5. given to another person.

MAINE

A person may not waste a wild bird or wild animal that has been wounded or killed while hunting. For purposes of this section, “waste” means to intentionally leave a wounded or killed animal in the field or forest without making a reasonable effort to retrieve and render it for consumption or use.


MINNESOTA

97A.031 Wanton waste.

A person may not wantonly waste or destroy a usable part of a protected wild animal (all mammals) unless authorized.

Disposing of or abandoning live animals, carcasses, garbage, trash…or other debris…on any WMA is prohibited.


MONTANA

Hunters or persons in possession of a game animal or game animal parts, are prohibited from wasting or rendering unfit for consumption, any part of a game animal that is defined as “suitable for food.” For big game animals, all of the four quarters above the hock, including loin and back strap are considered suitable for food. A person harvesting a black bear or mountain lion is prohibited from abandoning the head or hide in the field.


NEBRASKA

Section 37-507. Game bird, game animal, or fish; abandonment or needless waste; penalty.

Any person who at any time takes any game bird, game animal, or fish other than baitfish in this state and who intentionally leaves or abandons such bird, animal, or fish or an edible portion thereof resulting in wanton or needless waste or otherwise intentionally allows it or an edible portion thereof to be wantonly or needlessly wasted or fails to dispose thereof in a reasonable and sanitary manner shall be guilty of a Class III misdemeanor.

NORTH DAKOTA

14. Wanton Waste
No person shall kill, cripple, waste, destroy, spoil or abandon the edible flesh (breast meat) of any wild turkey without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird, and retain it in his/her actual custody, at the place where taken and between that place and either (a) his/her personal permanent residence, (b) a taxidermist, or (c) a common carrier.


ONTARIO

You may not let the flesh of any harvested game wildlife which is suitable for food be destroyed, spoiled, or abandoned. A hunter who kills a fur bearing mammal shall not abandon the pelt or permit to be spoiled or destroyed.

SOUTH DAKOTA

41-1-4. Wanton waste or destruction of protected birds, animals, and fish prohibited. Violation as misdemeanor. No person may wantonly waste or destroy any of the birds, animals, or fish of the kinds protected by the laws of this state. A violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor.

TENNESSEE

Wanton waste requires hunters to retrieve all crippled or dead game if possible and prohibits disposal of dead wildlife on WMA’s.

TEXAS

General Wanton Waste:
No person may capture, kill or destroy any wildlife protected by law and remove the head, claws, teeth, hid, antlers, horns or any or all of such parts from the carcass with the intent to abandon the carcass. No person may kill any wildlife protected by law and abandon the carcass without disposing of the carcass in the most appropriate manner.

Wanton waste of Waterfowl:
A reasonable effort must be made to retrieve any killed or wounded birds and any wounded bird retrieved must be immediately killed and made a part of the bag limit. After retention, the birds must be kept in an edible condition.


WYOMING

23-3-107. Wanton destruction of big game animal; reward.

(a) No person shall wantonly take or destroy any big or trophy game animal.
(b) The director may offer a standing reward not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to be paid from the game and fish fund for evidence leading to the arrest and conviction of any person violating this section.
(c) The purpose and intent of this section is to protect big or trophy game animals from wanton, ruthless, or needless destruction.
(d) Violation of this section constitutes a high misdemeanor punishable as provided in W.S. 23-6-202(a)(ii).

FEDERAL
TITLE 50 - WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES

CHAPTER I - UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

SUBCHAPTER B - TAKING, POSSESSION, TRANSPORTATION, SALE, PURCHASE, BARTER, EXPORTATION, AND IMPORTATION OF WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

PART 20 - MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING

subpart c - TAKING

20.25 - Wanton waste of migratory game birds.

No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird pursuant to this part without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird, and retain it in his actual custody, at the place where taken or between that place and either (a) his automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.

[41 FR 31536, July 29, 1976]