California · Fish and Game Code - FGC

FGC §2011: (a) It is unlawful for any person to take, mutilate, or destroy any bird or mammal lawfully in the possession of another.

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

It is unlawful to take, mutilate, or destroy a bird or mammal that lawfully belongs to another person, including wounded animals being actively pursued.

Read the full statutory text

(a) It is unlawful for any person to take, mutilate, or destroy any bird or mammal lawfully in the possession of another. (b) For the purpose of this section, a bird or mammal shall be deemed in possession when it is actually reduced to physical possession or when it is wounded or otherwise maimed and the person who wounded or otherwise maimed it is in hot pursuit.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.