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x1Bullet2Killzx · Member

I just want to know which common birds are illegal to kill, not something like a Bald Eagle or a Sea Gull lol. Aren't all songbirds illegal to kill or something? Does that mean robins are?

Please help.

fritz · Silver Status Member

Check with your state's DFGW. There should be a list of all the species that are illegal to cull, and a list of all that are legal to cull. Use discretion to which critters get a lead injection.

Slavia · Moderator

Where are you? Maybe I can help you find it.

donec · Senior Member

I don't know about a list but it should be noted that there are birds that are not on any endangered list or song birds or especially helpful bird that are not to be hunted as they may be something like the state bird. Here in Texas it is Mockingbird that is protected and I know of no special traits it has other than being the state bird. So there may be others in other places it would not surprise me to find even the Crow is protected somewhere.

x1Bullet2Killzx · Member

Slavia · Moderator

The NM hunting reg's say: "The only unprotected birds are starlings, rock doves (common pigeons) and house sparrows (English sparrows)." Look here:
http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/publications/documents/rib/2009/09_10_SmallGameRIBrevised4.pdf

It also says this:
"Common nongame species include coyotes, skunks, rabbits and rock squirrels. Residents are not required to have a hunting license to take rabbits or other nongame species."

The regulations specify the use of a firearm for game species; I couldn't find any reference to taking non-game/unprotected species with an airgun. You might pose that question to your fish and wildlife people.