In the United States, fish and wildlife are considered public resources owned by the state, with private ownership only after harvest, contrasting with European customs where wildlife belonged to landowners. Early unregulated hunting led to population declines, prompting key federal laws like the Lacey Act (1900) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), which protect species across state and international boundaries. Funding for conservation primarily comes from taxes on hunting and fishing equipment through the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts, supporting state wildlife management efforts. The Endangered Species Act of the 1970s further bolstered species protection, preventing extinctions despite some regulatory challenges.

Federal involvement in wildlife management remains limited, with states serving as primary managers of fish and wildlife, balancing conservation with hunting and fishing interests. The 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act and related court rulings affirm federal authority on public lands, but increased federal regulations have faced opposition due to complexity and slower implementation. Overall, the cooperative federal-state approach has effectively protected species and habitats while allowing public access to hunting and fishing.