Is It Illegal to Kill Bigfoot? What U.S. Law Says

Meta description: Is it illegal to kill Bigfoot in the United States? Learn what a famous Washington county ordinance says—and how wildlife, hunting, firearms, and homicide laws could apply.

There is no scientifically confirmed Bigfoot, so no U.S. law establishes a general, nationwide rule specifically for killing one. But that does not mean shooting at a suspected Bigfoot would be legal. A person could face consequences under hunting, firearm, trespassing, or other laws—and if the target turned out to be human, serious criminal charges could follow. One Washington county has a frequently cited local ordinance about Bigfoot, but its scope and enforcement should not be confused with state or federal law.

Is It Illegal to Kill Bigfoot?

There is no single U.S. law that specifically makes killing Bigfoot illegal everywhere. Bigfoot, also called Sasquatch, has not been established by science as a real animal species, and it is not listed as a recognized species under federal endangered-species law. That leaves no ordinary, nationwide Bigfoot-specific wildlife protection.

The answer could still be “yes” in particular circumstances. Laws may apply to the conduct involved, regardless of whether the animal in question is Bigfoot: firing a weapon unlawfully, hunting without a license, trespassing, causing a dangerous incident, or injuring or killing a person. A local ordinance may also be relevant in a place that has adopted one.

That distinction matters: the absence of a confirmed Bigfoot species does not create permission to shoot at an unidentified figure or animal. A person’s legal exposure would depend on the facts, the location, the applicable laws, and what the target actually was.

The Skamania County Bigfoot Ordinance

Skamania County, Washington, is known for a local measure often described as a law protecting Bigfoot. In 1969, the county adopted Ordinance 69-01 in response to reports of Sasquatch sightings. The measure declared the creature endangered and prohibited killing, harming, or capturing it in the county.

Accounts of the ordinance’s penalties and later history vary, so it is prudent to consult the county’s official records rather than rely on a retelling. The ordinance is commonly associated with a severe criminal penalty, but a local ordinance cannot by itself create a general rule for Washington State or the whole country. Its reach is limited to the jurisdiction and terms of the measure, as amended and interpreted.

Skamania County has also promoted the region’s Bigfoot lore as part of its identity. The ordinance is often discussed as a response to public concern and as a way to discourage people from shooting at something they could mistake for a person. Whatever its original motivation, it should not be treated as proof that Bigfoot exists or as a substitute for current legal advice.

People seeking a definitive answer about the ordinance should review the county’s current code and contact the county or a Washington attorney. A secondary article or an old copy of an ordinance may not show whether a measure has been amended, repealed, or applied in a particular case.

Why Federal Endangered-Species Protections Do Not Automatically Apply

The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) protects species that meet the law’s criteria and are listed as endangered or threatened. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service administer the act for different groups of species. Its prohibitions can include “take,” a legal term that covers conduct such as harassing, harming, pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting a listed animal.

Bigfoot is not on the federal endangered or threatened species lists. As a result, the ESA does not currently provide Bigfoot-specific protection. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species program explains the federal listing and conservation framework. Protection for a real animal in a Bigfoot encounter would instead depend on that animal’s actual identity and applicable federal, state, and local rules.

For example, someone who mistakes a listed bear, wolf, or other protected animal for Bigfoot could still face wildlife-law consequences. Conversely, the fact that an animal is not federally listed does not automatically make it legal to shoot: state hunting rules, land regulations, and other laws may still apply.

State Hunting and Wildlife Laws May Still Matter

Wildlife law is primarily administered through state and federal agencies, and requirements differ by state. Hunting seasons, licenses, permitted methods, bag limits, species classifications, and rules about shooting near roads or buildings vary. Many states also restrict killing wildlife outside an open season or without the required license or tag.

A person cannot reliably decide that a creature is unprotected just because it is unfamiliar. If the animal is actually a protected species, a domestic animal, or someone’s livestock, the relevant laws may be very different. Even where an animal has no special conservation status, rules on cruelty, firearms, public safety, or property can still apply.

When an animal is injured or poses an immediate threat, the legal rules may include exceptions for self-defense or protection of people, but those exceptions are fact-specific. They are not a blanket license to pursue or shoot an animal based on a suspicion that it is Bigfoot. State wildlife agencies publish the rules for their jurisdictions; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also provides links and information about federal wildlife responsibilities.

The Biggest Legal Risk: Mistaking a Person for Bigfoot

Bigfoot reports often describe a large, upright, humanlike figure. In poor light, dense woods, or at a distance, a person wearing a costume or outdoor gear could be mistaken for an animal. Shooting at such a figure could lead to a far more serious case than a dispute over wildlife rules.

If the target is a person, the shooter may face charges ranging from assault or reckless endangerment to homicide, depending on whether someone was injured or killed and what the evidence shows about intent, recklessness, and justification. The precise charges and legal standards differ by state. A claim that the shooter believed the person was Bigfoot would not automatically excuse the conduct.

Firearm laws can create separate risks. Discharging a gun within city limits, near a road, across property boundaries, or in a way that endangers others may be prohibited even if no one is hit. Public-land rules can also restrict firearm use. A person who fires first and investigates later could face criminal charges, civil liability, or both.

An unidentified shape is not a safe target. A responsible response is to keep distance, avoid confrontation, and contact local law enforcement or wildlife authorities if there is a genuine safety concern.

Other Laws That Could Apply

Whether or not Bigfoot exists, the surrounding conduct may bring several areas of law into play. The relevant law depends on where the incident occurs, who owns the land, what weapon was used, and whether anyone or anything was harmed.

• Trespassing: Entering private property to search for, follow, or shoot at a reported creature may violate state law.
• Firearms and public safety: Discharging a weapon in a prohibited area or recklessly endangering others may be unlawful.
• Hunting violations: Taking a real animal outside the season, without a license, or by a prohibited method may lead to fines or other penalties.
• Property damage or animal cruelty: Injuring a domestic animal or damaging property could trigger separate legal claims or charges.
• Local ordinances: Cities, counties, parks, and other land managers may have additional restrictions.

These examples are not a complete list. A single incident may involve multiple laws, and civil claims—such as a lawsuit for injury or property damage—may be possible even when no criminal conviction results.

What to Do If Someone Reports a Bigfoot Sighting

A sighting does not establish that an unknown species is present, and it does not justify an armed search. If a person sees a large or unfamiliar animal, safer steps can protect both people and wildlife:

1. Do not approach, chase, or shoot. Increase distance and move to a secure place without cornering the animal.
2. Do not trespass. Stay on land where entry is permitted, and follow posted rules for parks and other public areas.
3. Record details from a safe distance. Note the time, location, direction of travel, and visible features. Photographs or video should never be worth risking a close encounter.
4. Contact the appropriate authority. Call emergency services for an immediate threat to people; contact local wildlife officials for a nonemergency animal report.
5. Follow official instructions. Wildlife professionals can assess the report and determine whether an identifiable animal or public-safety issue is involved.

These steps are useful whether the sighting involves a bear, an escaped animal, a person, or an unverified report. They also reduce the risk of confusing folklore with a real emergency.

How to Check the Law in a Specific Location

Because there is no nationwide Bigfoot-specific statute, location is central to any legal analysis. The most reliable starting points are the current county or city code, the state wildlife agency’s hunting and wildlife regulations, and the rules for the land where the incident occurred. Federal land may have its own regulations, and federally protected species may bring additional requirements.

For Skamania County, Washington, readers should verify the current status and wording of Ordinance 69-01 through official county sources. For an actual incident, a local attorney can assess how the applicable statutes and facts interact. Online summaries, folklore websites, and old newspaper stories are not a substitute for current legal text.

The Practical Answer

Is it illegal to kill Bigfoot? There is no general federal law that specifically bans it, because Bigfoot is not a scientifically confirmed or federally listed species. Skamania County, Washington, is associated with a local ordinance prohibiting harm to Bigfoot, but its current scope should be checked in official records.

More importantly, shooting at a suspected Bigfoot could violate laws that do not depend on Bigfoot’s existence. The target might be a person or a protected animal, and the act of firing could itself break hunting, firearm, trespassing, or public-safety rules. The safest and most legally sound choice is not to shoot at an unidentified figure.

Sources and Further Reading

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Program
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Federal wildlife information
• Skamania County, Washington, official county code and records for current local ordinance information.
• The relevant state wildlife agency’s current hunting regulations and firearm rules.