View Rule

To protect the wildlife within refuge lands, Federal wildlife officers must be able to conduct inspections of wildlife taken and hunting or fishing equipment used. This inspection authority should include licenses, firearms, and any wildlife that has been taken. Inspection authority will guard Federal wildlife officers against possible claims of constitutional violations incurred as a result of conducting inspections. Federal inspection regulations are not parallel to those at the State and local levels, and should be brought to par, as many State and local regulations are more specific with regard to upholding inspection authority. Our Division of Refuge Law Enforcement proposes the creation of regulations on enforcement authority that would include making inspection refusal a prohibited act similar to regulations implemented by the National Park Service.