WILDLIFE DAMAGE CONTROL - THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Authors

LeRoy W. Sowl, Division of Wildlife Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Date of this Version

September 1985

Abstract

The doctrine of State ownership of wildlife was a part of the body of English common law transplanted to these shores by the original English settlers. The Crown conveyed ownership of many natural resources, and included wildlife in the patents it issued to the proprietors of plantations and colonies. When the provinces became States, they inherited ownership of wildlife.