The question is deceptively simple. The answer may be more nuanced than you think. What does it mean to “shoot pigeons” anyway? Is it something you do in an arcade in South Florida? Does it refer to the type of “pigeon” that’s discussed in the streets of Chicago, or New York, or Los Angeles? Or does it refer to unsolicited mail sent to your home address?
All of these referents are of interest, no doubt, in the context of whatever it is you’re looking for at the moment. But I’m not sure any of them answer the question: Is it against the law to shoot pigeons? We looked, certainly, and found some interesting results. Turns out there are a few relevant ordinances here in the State of Florida. And (surprisingly) it’s not against the law to shoot pigeons in Miami. You can shoot at least one species of pigeon (the White-winged Dove – Zenaida asiatica) in Miami-Dade County. And apparently, you are allowed to shoot Eurasian Collared-Doves in Broward. ‘Tis true. Dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover some things you might find surprising. For instance, did you know the possession, release, sale, importation, or introduction into Florida of the following species of wildlife (among others) is prohibited? Nuisance Species 1. Class I: Prohibited species 2. Class II 3. Class III: Conditional species 4. Class IV 5. Class V 6. Class VI: Not classified as excise tax exempt 7. Class VII: Restricted species 8. Class VIII: Prohibited species for personal possession
Among these classes, you’ll note the likes of the Snakehead (Family Channidae), the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), the Lionfish (Pterois volitans), the Blue Sailfin Molly (Micropanchax sjoestedti), the Common Green Iguana (Iguana iguana iguana), and the Red-eared Slider (Trachemys elegans elegans).
That’s right, if you kill a “Nuisance Species” in Florida, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service’s Division of Animal Industry has the right to label you the owner of the animal and dispose of it at your expense (no less).
As the statute states (in pertinent part): (2) In addition to any other actions that could be taken pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the department may take emergency action to execute a search warrant or seize an animal without a warrant, and take such other measures as the department considers appropriate, to protect human, animal, plant, or environmental health or welfare with respect to animals restricted in their location, possession, or movement.
Civil Cases and Wildlife As discussed further in our article here, When 911 Calls Are Stupid, Alligators and Crocodiles Are Legal, Wildlife Can Be a Dangerous Civil Matter, when wildlife is involved, your civil case may have the potential to be a much longer, and more extensive, experience than you ever bargained for. Whether it was a lion cub who grow up to be a lion, or a nuisance alligator in the backyard who decided to remove your dog, or the group of raccoons with 24-hour access to your attic who decided they were in the market for some framed art, or maybe it was just some love birds who’ve gone web wide, occasionally, wildlife can be a dangerous, civil matter. No matter the circumstance, it can make for an unexpected turn of events. Florida’s Statute 379.605 imposes fines in the amount of $500, imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 60 days, or both, for the shooting of any bird or mammal in violation of state law or federal law. If the shooting is done intentionally “with the intent to kill or wound any bird or mammal,” irrespective of whether there is a conviction under federal law for the same conduct, the shooter faces fines in the amount of $1,000 and imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding 1 year, or both. But before you run out to buy a hunting license, no one said you had to take a shot at pigeons. You’re better off letting them stay where they are. For those interested, the full ordinance reads: 379.605 Possession of certain mammals and birds; penalties. – (1) It is unlawful for any person to keep in captivity any species of mammal, bird, fish, amphibian, or reptile for which a bag limit or an open season has been specified by the Commission, unless the person has a valid license or permit issued by the Commission, which bears his or her name and address, and which is carried on his or her person while engaged in taking or attempting to take or while in possession of any species for which a bag limit or open season has been specified by the Commission. (2) A person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. In addition to any other penalty provided by law, any person convicted of unlawfully possessing any portion of the species specified in this section, and any person convicted of unlawfully keeping in captivity any of the species specified by rule of the Commission, shall forfeit such species and the commission may impose a penalty of up to $500 per specimen of each species involved. (3) In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (2) of this section, a person violating the provisions of subsection (1) of this section for which bag limits and open seasons have been specified by rule of the Commission for a particular species shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. In addition to the penalties provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person convicted of unlawfully killing or wounding any of the species of mammals or birds specified by rule of the Commission shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
For more information on wildlife regulations, you can visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.