Regulatory Agencies
Official state departments of conservation and wildlife management. Access licensing portals, official harvest reporting, and state regulation guides across all 50 states.
State Wildlife Management Agencies
(50 Agencies Listed)
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)
"To perpetuate the state's wildlife resources, provide sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities, and protect Alabama's natural resources for current and future generations."
- • Issues hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and WMA permits
- • Establishes annual hunting seasons, bag limits, and harvest rules
- • Manages 37 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) statewide
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)
"To protect, maintain, and improve the fish, game, and aquatic plant resources of the state, and manage their use and development in the best interest of the economy and the well-being of the people of the state."
- • Issues big game tags, drawing permits, and hunting/fishing licenses
- • Manages 24 Wildlife Management Areas and Wilderness Access Programs
- • Establishes species harvest quotas, antler restrictions, and season timing
Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD)
"To conserve Arizona's diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations."
- • Conducts annual big game lottery permit draws
- • Manages game species conservation and habitat enhancement
- • Issues hunting, fishing, and combination licenses
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC)
"To conserve, manage, and protect Arkansas's fish and wildlife resources and their habitats while providing sustainable recreation opportunities."
- • Oversees management of over 100 public WMAs across the state
- • Establishes waterfowl flyway, deer, turkey, and bear hunting seasons
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting/fishing licenses and permits
California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
"To manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public."
- • Issues big game deer tags, bear tags, elk drawing permits, and hunting licenses
- • Enforces non-lead ammunition mandates and hunting safety laws statewide
- • Manages over 1 million acres of state Wildlife Areas and Ecological Reserves
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
"To perpetuate the state's wildlife resources and provide a quality state parks system. Also, provide sustainable outdoor recreational opportunities that inspire current and future generations."
- • Issues fishing and hunting licenses and permits
- • Conducts biological research to assist wildlife management
- • Secures high-value habitat through purchases and partnerships
Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)
"To conserve, improve, and protect the natural resources and environment of Connecticut, and to preserve wildlife populations for public benefit and sustainable use."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, deer permits, and turkey permits
- • Manages state forest land and wildlife management areas for hunting access
- • Establishes annual archery, firearms, and muzzleloader hunting seasons
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife (DNREC)
"To conserve and manage Delaware's fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations."
- • Issues hunting licenses, migratory bird stamps, and deer permits
- • Manages state wildlife areas and public hunting access permits
- • Establishes annual deer, waterfowl, and small game hunting seasons
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
"Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people."
- • Issues hunting licenses, Osceola turkey permits, alligator harvest permits, and WMA quota permits
- • Manages Florida's extensive 6-million-acre WMA system and public access
- • Establishes hunting zones, season dates, weapon restrictions, and harvest limits
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (GADNR)
"To conserve, enhance, and promote Georgia's fish and wildlife resources and outdoor heritage through science-based management."
- • Issues hunting licenses, big game tags, and harvest record passes
- • Manages Georgia's extensive public Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system
- • Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and legal harvest rules
Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)
"To manage and protect watershed areas, native ecosystems, and public hunting areas for sustainable use and ecological balance."
- • Issues hunting licenses, island game permits, and public hunting lottery tags
- • Manages public hunting units across Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii Island
- • Establishes game mammals and game birds season dates and bag limits
Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG)
"To preserve, protect, perpetuate, and manage all wildlife in Idaho, and provide continuous supplies of wildlife for hunting, fishing, and trapping."
- • Issues hunting licenses, controlled hunt permits, and general OTC tags
- • Manages big game controlled hunt draws and tag allocation quotas
- • Oversees public hunting access programs including Access Yes!
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
"To manage, conserve, and protect Illinois's natural, cultural, and outdoor resources, and to promote outdoor recreation."
- • Issues firearm deer permits, lottery permits, and archery deer/turkey tags
- • Manages state fish & wildlife areas and public hunting sites
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting seasons
Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife (INDNR)
"To professionally manage Indiana's fish and wildlife resources for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, turkey, and small game hunting licenses
- • Manages public Fish & Wildlife Areas (FWAs) and Reservoirs
- • Establishes annual hunting season dates, bag limits, and gear regulations
Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IADNR)
"To conserve and enhance Iowa's natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowa citizens and visitors."
- • Manages non-resident preference point draw system and resident deer licenses
- • Oversees state Wildlife Management Areas and habitat restoration projects
- • Sets deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl hunting seasons and limits
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP)
"To conserve and enhance Kansas's natural resources and associated outdoor recreation for present and future generations."
- • Administers non-resident deer permit draws and resident hunting licenses
- • Manages Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) program opening over 1 million private acres
- • Establishes annual big game, upland bird, and waterfowl hunting seasons
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR)
"To conserve and enhance Kentucky's fish and wildlife resources and provide maximum opportunity for public use and enjoyment."
- • Administers Appalachian elk lottery quota draws and general hunting licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public hunting access
- • Sets deer, elk, turkey, and small game hunting seasons and bag limits
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)
"To manage, conserve, and promote wise utilization of Louisiana's renewable fish, wildlife, and aquatic resources for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, duck stamps, and alligator tags
- • Manages Louisiana's Wildlife Management Area (WMA) system and coastal refuges
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and alligator hunting seasons and zones
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW)
"To preserve, protect, and enhance inland fisheries and wildlife resources of Maine; and to provide for wise use and enjoyment of these resources."
- • Administers annual moose permit lottery draw and resident/non-resident hunting licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas and public access in North Woods forests
- • Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and legal harvest regulations
Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service (MDNR)
"To sustain and enhance Maryland's wildlife populations and their habitats while providing wise public use and enjoyment of natural resources."
- • Issues hunting licenses, migratory game bird stamps, and deer management permits
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas and public hunting lands
- • Establishes annual deer, Sika deer, waterfowl, and small game hunting seasons
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife)
"To conserve and restore all native plants and animals, including freshwater fish and wildlife, and their habitats for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, antlerless deer permits, and turkey permits
- • Manages over 200,000 acres of Wildlife Management Areas across Massachusetts
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting regulations
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR)
"To commit to the conservation, protection, management, use, and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, bear, waterfowl, and turkey licenses
- • Manages 4.6 million acres of state forest land and Wildlife Management Areas
- • Establishes annual deer, bear, elk, and small game hunting seasons and bag limits
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR)
"To work with citizens to conserve and manage the state's natural resources, to provide outdoor recreation opportunities, and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a sustainable manner."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl licenses
- • Manages 1.3 million acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and state forests
- • Establishes annual deer permit area quotas, season dates, and bag limits
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP)
"To conserve and enhance Mississippi's wildlife, fisheries, and parks, provide quality outdoor recreation, and engage the public in natural resource conservation."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, turkey, waterfowl, and alligator licenses
- • Manages 55 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) covering prime bottomland and pine habitats
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting regulations
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC)
"To protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife resources of the state; to facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, turkey, and waterfowl licenses
- • Manages over 1,000 Conservation Areas totaling more than 1 million acres
- • Establishes annual deer antler-point restrictions, season dates, and bag limits
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP)
"To provide for the stewardship of the fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational resources of Montana, while contributing to the quality of life for present and future generations."
- • Administers general and preference point big game draw tags and hunting licenses
- • Manages Block Management Program (BMA) leasing private land for public hunting access
- • Sets hunting season dates, quota limits, and wildlife management district rules
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC)
"Stewardship of the state's fish, wildlife, park and outdoor recreation resources in the best long-term interests of the people and those resources."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game permits
- • Manages Open Fields and Waters (OFW) walk-in public access on private lands
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, upland game, and waterfowl hunting seasons
Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW)
"To protect, conserve, manage and restore wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States."
- • Administers big game bonus point draw lotteries and tag quotas
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public land access
- • Sets unit-specific hunting season dates, bag limits, and legal weapon rules
New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFGD)
"As the guardian of the state's fish, wildlife, and marine resources, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works in partnership with the public to conserve, manage, and protect these resources and their habitats."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, bear, turkey, and moose lottery licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas and public forest access
- • Establishes annual deer, bear, turkey, and small game hunting seasons
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife (NJDEP)
"To protect and manage the state's fish and wildlife to maximize their long-term biological, recreational and economic value for all New Jerseyans."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, deer permits, and bear tags
- • Manages over 350,000 acres across 122 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
- • Establishes annual deer management zone regulations and bag limits
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF)
"To conserve, regulate, propagate and protect the wildlife and fish within the state of New Mexico using a flexible management system that ensures sustainable use for public food supply, recreation and safety."
- • Administers big game and exotic species random draw lotteries and licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas and public land hunting access
- • Sets hunt code season dates, bag limits, and legal sporting arms rules
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
"To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), State Forests, and Forest Preserves
- • Establishes annual Northern and Southern Zone hunting seasons and bag limits
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)
"To conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, big game harvest report cards, and swan permits
- • Manages over 2 million acres across the state Game Lands system
- • Establishes annual deer, bear, turkey, and waterfowl hunting regulations by zone
North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF)
"To protect, conserve and enhance fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for sustained public consumptive and nonconsumptive use."
- • Administers non-resident waterfowl and big game lottery draws and licenses
- • Manages Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) leasing over 1 million private acres
- • Establishes annual upland bird, waterfowl, and big game hunting seasons
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife (ODNR)
"To conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, turkey, and small game hunting permits
- • Manages state Wildlife Areas, State Forests, and public hunting grounds
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting regulations
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC)
"To manage and protect fish and wildlife, along with their habitats, while also growing the community of hunters and anglers."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses and controlled hunt permits
- • Manages 1.6 million acres of public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting seasons
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
"To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations."
- • Administers controlled big game draws and general hunting licenses
- • Manages state Wildlife Areas and Travel Management Area access
- • Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and gear regulations
Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC)
"To manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, antlerless deer permits, and elk draw tags
- • Manages over 1.5 million acres of state-owned State Game Lands (SGLs)
- • Establishes annual deer, bear, turkey, and small game hunting seasons and bag limits
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife (RIDEM)
"To protect, manage, and restore the fish and wildlife resources of the state for sustainable use and ecological health."
- • Issues hunting licenses, antlerless deer permits, and waterfowl stamps
- • Manages state Management Areas and public hunting lands
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game regulations
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
"To serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina's natural resources."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, deer tags, and alligator lottery permits
- • Manages Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across the state
- • Sets deer, turkey, alligator, and small game hunting seasons and limits
South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP)
"To provide sustainable public hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation opportunities while managing wildlife and park resources."
- • Administers resident and non-resident deer, elk, and waterfowl lottery draws
- • Manages Walk-In Area (WIA) and GFP public hunting access lands
- • Establishes annual pheasant, waterfowl, and big game hunting seasons
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA)
"To preserve, conserve, manage, protect, and enhance Tennessee's wildlife and their habitats for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the public."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, big game tags, and elk lottery draws
- • Manages Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public hunting lands
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl hunting seasons
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
"To manage and conserve the natural and cultural resources of Texas and to provide hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses and antlerless deer permits
- • Manages Public Hunting Permit lands and State Natural Areas
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, dove, and waterfowl hunting regulations and county zones
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR)
"To serve the people of Utah as trustee and guardian of the state's wildlife."
- • Administers general and limited-entry big game draws and bonus point systems
- • Manages public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and Walk-In Access program
- • Establishes annual big game, upland game, and waterfowl hunting guidebooks
Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD)
"The conservation of all forms of fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the people of Vermont."
- • Issues hunting licenses, moose lottery permits, and antlerless deer permits
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and public access
- • Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and legal harvest rules
Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
"To conserve and manage wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, deer tags, and bear permits
- • Manages 46 Wildlife Management Areas totaling over 200,000 acres
- • Establishes annual deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl hunting regulations
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
"To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, weapon choice tags, and special draw permits
- • Manages over 1 million acres of state Wildlife Areas across 33 management units
- • Establishes annual deer, elk, bear, waterfowl, and small game hunting rules
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)
"To provide and administer a comprehensive program for the conservation, protection, development, and use of West Virginia's natural resources."
- • Issues resident and non-resident hunting licenses, deer stamps, and bear permits
- • Manages state Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and State Forests
- • Sets hunting season dates, bag limits, and weapon regulations by county
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)
"To preserve, protect, manage, and maintain the natural resources of the state for current and future generations."
- • Issues resident and non-resident deer, bear draw tags, turkey, and waterfowl licenses
- • Manages millions of acres of State Forests, Wildlife Areas, and MFL public lands
- • Establishes annual deer management zone quotas, season dates, and bag limits
Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD)
"Conserving Wildlife, Serving People."
- • Administers preference point draw systems and license allocation lotteries
- • Manages Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs) and Walk-In Access areas
- • Sets hunting season dates, quota limits, and hunt area regulations