ABSTRACT
Laws govern just about every aspect of our lives, and urban wildlife is no exception. Many people are unaware of the hundreds, if not thousands, of federal, state, county, and municipal laws related to wildlife, and no one could be expected to know every pertinent subdivision covenant and deed restriction. As the human population grows and encroaches on natural wildlife habitat, more wild animals exploit urban landscapes, and more human-wildlife conflicts arise. Society attempts to address these issues through legislation and statutes. Wildlife professions need to have a basic understanding of wildlife laws and regulations, why they were created, and how they impact the lives of both humans and wild animals.
