§707 Violations and Penalties; Forfeitures

Summary

Breaking migratory-bird rules or ignoring related regulations is a crime. Usually it is a misdemeanor. If convicted, a person can be fined up to $15,000, jailed up to six months, or both. If someone knowingly takes birds to sell, or sells or offers to sell or barter them, it is a felony. That can bring a fine up to $2,000, up to two years in prison, or both. A violation of section 704(b)(2) is punished under Title 18 and can include up to one year in jail. Guns, traps, nets, boats, vehicles, and other gear used to catch migratory birds with the intent to sell or barter them can be seized and forfeited to the United States. They may be held during prosecution and, if the person is convicted, kept as an extra penalty. The Secretary of the Interior will handle and dispose of the forfeited items.