|
1900
|
The Lacey Act took effect as the first federal
law protecting game; it prohibited the interstate
shipment of illegally taken wildlife, and the importation
of injurious species. Enforcement of this
Act became the responsibility of the Division of
Biological Survey, U.
S. Department of Agriculture.
|
|
1905
|
The Division of Biological Survey became the Bureau
of Biological Survey and remained in the Department
of Agriculture.
|
|
1913
|
The Federal Migratory Bird Law (Weeks-McLean Law)
became effective, and the first migratory bird
hunting regulations were adopted on October 1.
|
|
1916
|
The United States signed the Migratory Bird Treaty
with Great Britain (acting for Canada), recognizing
migratory birds as an international resource.
|
|
1918
|
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act became law, making
it unlawful to take, possess, buy, sell, purchase,
or barter any migratory bird. The Act's prohibitions
applied to the feathers, parts, nests, and eggs
of these birds.
|
|
1920
|
In the case of Missouri vs. Holland, 252 U.
S. 416, the United States Supreme Court
upheld the constitutionality of the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act "establishing beyond question
the supremacy of the federal treaty-making power
as a source of authority for Federal wildlife
regulation." Citing the state ownership
doctrine, Missouri had filed suit to prevent
a
U. S. game warden from enforcing the Act
within the state.
|
|
1926
|
The Black Bass Act became law, making it illegal
to transport in interstate commerce black bass
taken, purchased, or sold in violation of state
law.
|
|
1934
|
The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act
became law, requiring all waterfowl hunters aged 16
and over to possess a "Duck Stamp."
A Division of Game Management was created in the Bureau of Biological
Survey, Department of Agriculture, with responsibility for wildlife law enforcement. |
|
1935
|
The Lacey Act was expanded to prohibit foreign
commerce in illegally taken wildlife.
|
|
1936
|
The United States signed the Migratory Bird Treaty
with Mexico.
|
|
1939
|
The Bureau of Biological Survey, Department of
Agriculture, and the Bureau of Fisheries, Department
of Commerce, were transferred to the U.
S. Department of the Interior.
|
|
1940 <
|
The Bald Eagle Protection Act became
law, prohibiting a variety of activities involving
the species, including import, export, take, sale,
purchase, or barter. The Bureau of Biological
Survey and the Bureau of Fisheries were combined to
form the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of
the Interior. All law enforcement responsibilities
continued to reside in the Division of Game Management
.
|
|
Historical Developement of Wildlife Law Enforcement
in the United States Continued:
1951-1975
1976-2000
|
