Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 41: Hunting, fishing, trapping; disturbance or injury on wildlife refuges

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits hunting, trapping, disturbing, or killing wildlife on U.S. sanctuaries or refuges without authorization, and prohibits damaging U.S. property there. Violations carry fines and/or up to six months imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, except in compliance with rules and regulations promulgated by authority of law, hunts, traps, captures, willfully disturbs or kills any bird, fish, or wild animal of any kind whatever, or takes or destroys the eggs or nest of any such bird or fish, on any lands or waters which are set apart or reserved as sanctuaries, refuges or breeding grounds for such birds, fish, or animals under any law of the United States or willfully injures, molests, or destroys any property of the United States on any such lands or waters, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

Facing this? Know exactly what happens next.

MOFRD turns this code section into your situation: the deadlines that apply to you, the forms your county uses, and the resolution paths people in your position actually take. Free for 3 days — no card required.

Start your matter free Ask Law Link about this code

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.