hughes oklahoma argued january decided april oklahoma statute prohibits transporting shipping outside state sale natural minnows seined procured waters within state appellant holds texas license operate commercial minnow business texas charged violating oklahoma statute transporting oklahoma texas load natural minnows purchased minnow dealer licensed business oklahoma appellant defense oklahoma statute unconstitutional repugnant commerce clause rejected convicted fined oklahoma criminal appeals affirmed relying geer connecticut sustained commerce clause challenge connecticut statute forbidding transportation beyond state game birds lawfully killed within state geer decision rested holding interstate commerce involved state power representative citizens owned common wild animals within state control ownership game lawfully reduced possession exercised power prohibiting removal state held oklahoma statute repugnant commerce clause pp geer connecticut supra overruled time revealed error result reached geer application century legal fiction state ownership wild animals challenges commerce clause state regulations wild animals considered according general rule applied state regulations natural resources pp general rule must inquire whether challenged statute regulates evenhandedly incidental effects interstate commerce discriminates interstate commerce either face practical effect whether statute serves legitimate local purpose whether alternative means promote local purpose well without discriminating interstate commerce oklahoma statute face discriminates interstate commerce forbidding transportation natural minnows state purposes sale thus overtly blocking flow interstate commerce state border statute last ditch attempt conservation nondiscriminatory alternatives proved unfeasible rather choice discriminatory means even though nondiscriminatory alternatives seem likely fulfill state purported legitimate local purpose conservation effectively pp may promote legitimate purpose protecting conserving wild animal life within borders ways consistent basic principle pertinent economic unit nation wild animal becomes article commerce use limited citizens one state exclusion citizens another state pp brennan delivered opinion stewart white marshall blackmun powell stevens joined rehnquist filed dissenting opinion burger joined post robert helton argued cause filed brief appellant bill bruce argued cause appellee brief larry derryberry attorney general oklahoma justice brennan delivered opinion question presented decision whether okla tit supp violates commerce clause art cl constitution insofar provides person may transport ship minnows sale outside state seined procured within waters state appellant william hughes holds texas license operate commercial minnow business near wichita falls tex oklahoma game ranger arrested charge violating transporting oklahoma wichita falls load natural minnows purchased minnow dealer licensed business oklahoma hughes defense unconstitutional repugnant commerce clause rejected convicted fined oklahoma criminal appeals affirmed stating held numerous occasions wild animals fish within state border far capable ownership owned state sovereign capacity common benefit people ownership exercise police power state may regulate control taking subsequent use property rights may acquired therein lacoste department conservation geer state connecticut stated lacoste supra protection wildlife state peculiarly within police power state state great latitude determining means appropriate protection oklahoma law prohibit commercial minnow hatcheries within borders selling stock minnows anyone resident nonresident minnows purchased therefrom may freely exported however law served protect depletion minnows oklahoma natural streams commercial exportation person allowed export natural minnows sale outside oklahoma prohibition repugnant commerce clause simple words commerce clause congress shall power regulate commerce among several reflected central concern framers immediate reason calling constitutional convention conviction order succeed new union avoid tendencies toward economic balkanization plagued relations among colonies later among articles confederation see hood sons du mond commerce clause accordingly interpreted authorization congressional action also even absence conflicting federal statute restriction permissible state regulation cases defining scope permissible state regulation areas congressional silence reflect often controversial evolution rules accommodate federal state interests geer connecticut decided relatively early evolutionary process hold time revealed error early resolution reached case accordingly geer today overruled geer sustained commerce clause challenge statute forbidding transportation beyond state game birds lawfully killed within state decision rested holding interstate commerce involved conclusion followed turn view state power representative citizens owned common wild animals within state control taking game also ownership game lawfully reduced possession virtue power connecticut qualify ownership wild game taken within state example prohibiting removal state common ownership imports right keep property sovereign chooses always within jurisdiction every purpose accordingly state power qualify ownership raised serious doubts whether sale exchange wild game constituted commerce event held qualification imposed challenged statute removed transactions involving wild game killed connecticut interstate commerce justice field first justice harlan dissented rejecting artificial formalistic analysis ownership commerce wild game affirmed state power provide protection wild game far protection contravene power congress regulation interstate commerce view hen animal lawfully killed purposes food uses man becomes article commerce use limited citizens one state exclusion citizens another state view geer dissenters increasingly prevailed subsequent cases indeed geer analysis rejected natural resources wild game involved even state regulations wild game held subject strictures commerce clause pretext distinctions geer erosion geer began years decided commerce clause challenge addressed oklahoma statute designed prohibit transportation beyond state natural gas produced wells within state west kansas natural gas based reasoning parallel geer oklahoma urged right conserve gas use citizens stressing limited supply absence alternative sources fuel within state nevertheless passage reminiscent dissents geer condemned obvious protectionist motive oklahoma statute rejected state arguments powerful reaffirmation vision framers statute oklahoma recognizes gas subject intrastate commerce seeks prohibit subject interstate commerce purpose conservation power singular situation might result pennsylvania might keep coal northwest timber mining minerals may products field brought within principle thus enlarged without enlargement influence interstate commerce need pointed consequences power tend one state embargo may retaliated embargo commerce halted state lines yet said matters foreign interstate commerce state lines commerce instead new power appears new welfare welfare transcends state rather let us say constituted welfare state made greater division resources natural created every state every state purpose result interstate commerce clause constitution turning backward must done authority another instrumentality subsequent commerce clause challenges state regulation exports natural resources west analysis emerged dominant approach see pennsylvania west virginia hood sons du mond today principle stated pike bruce church statute regulates evenhandedly effectuate legitimate local public interest effects interstate commerce incidental upheld unless burden imposed commerce clearly excessive relation putative local benefits legitimate local purpose found question becomes one degree extent burden tolerated course depend nature local interest involved whether promoted well lesser impact interstate activities citations omitted geer analysis also eroded point virtual extinction cases involving regulation wild animals first challenge geer theory state power wild animals came missouri holland state missouri relying theory state ownership wild animals attacked migratory bird treaty act ground interfered state control wild animals within boundaries writing justice holmes upheld act proper exercise treatymaking power commented passing artificiality geer rationale put claim state upon title lean upon slender reed packing haydel undermined geer even directly louisiana statute forbade transportation beyond state shrimp taken louisiana waters heads shells removed statute clearly relied geer rationale anyone lawfully taking shrimp louisiana waters granted qualified interest may sold within state head shell removed within state taker possessor acquire title right sell ship beyond limit state without restriction reservation ignoring niceties title shrimp concentrating instead purposes effects statute packing struck statute economic protectionism abhorrent commerce clause analysis resembled employed natural gas cases cited approval geer distinguished ground part game permitted statute become article interstate commerce limiting geer cases involving complete embargoes interstate commerce wild animal created anomalous result burdensome laws enjoyed protection commerce clause attack packing implicit shift away geer formalistic ownership analysis became explicit toomer witsell struck violations commerce clause privileges immunities clause certain south carolina laws discriminating commercial fishermen whole ownership theory fact generally regarded fiction expressive legal shorthand importance people state power preserve regulate exploitation important resource necessary conflict vital policy consideration constitutional command state exercise power like powers discriminate without reason citizens state stand position owner private game preserve pure fantasy talk owning wild fish birds animals neither federal government hopeful fisherman hunter title creatures reduced possession skillful capture geer connecticut field dissenting ownership language cases cited appellant must understood legal fiction expressing importance people state power preserve regulate exploitation important resource citing toomer modern analysis question simply whether state exercised police power conformity federal laws constitution case us first modern times present facts essentially fours geer conclude challenges commerce clause state regulations wild animals considered according general rule applied state regulations natural resources therefore expressly overrule geer thus bring analytical framework conformity practical realities overruling geer also eliminates anomaly created decisions distinguishing geer statutes imposing extreme burdens interstate commerce essentially total embargoes immune challenge time general rule adopt case makes ample allowance preserving ways inconsistent commerce clause legitimate state concerns conservation protection wild animals underlying legal fiction state ownership ii turn question whether burden imposed interstate commerce wild game permissible general rule articulated precedents governing types commerce see pike bruce church quoted supra general rule must inquire whether challenged statute regulates evenhandedly incidental effects interstate commerce discriminates interstate commerce either face practical effect whether statute serves legitimate local purpose whether alternative means promote local purpose well without discriminating interstate commerce burden show discrimination rests party challenging validity statute hen discrimination commerce demonstrated burden falls state justify terms local benefits flowing statute unavailability alternatives adequate preserve local interests stake hunt washington apple advertising furthermore considering purpose challenged statute bound name description characterization given legislature courts state determine practical impact law lacoste louisiana dept conservation see packing haydel pike bruce church supra section face discriminates interstate commerce forbids transportation natural minnows state purposes sale thus overtly blocks flow interstate commerce state borders philadelphia new jersey facial discrimination may fatal defect regardless state purpose evil protectionism reside legislative means well legislative ends minimum facial discrimination invokes strictest scrutiny purported legitimate local purpose absence nondiscriminatory alternatives oklahoma argues serves legitimate local purpose readily apparent conservation measure brief appellee state interest maintaining ecological balance state waters avoiding removal inordinate numbers minnows may well qualify legitimate local purpose consider state interests conservation protection wild animals legitimate local purposes similar interests protecting health safety citizens see firemen chicago scope legitimate state interests conservation narrower analysis geer state may longer keep property sovereign chooses always within jurisdiction every purpose geer connecticut fiction state ownership may longer used force outside state bear full costs conserving wild animals within borders equally effective nondiscriminatory conservation measures available far choosing least discriminatory alternative oklahoma chosen conserve minnows way overtly discriminates interstate commerce state places limits numbers minnows taken licensed minnow dealers limit way minnows may disposed within state yet forbids transportation commercially significant number natural minnows state sale section certainly last ditch attempt conservation nondiscriminatory alternatives proved unfeasible rather choice discriminatory means even though nondiscriminatory alternatives seem likely fulfill state purported legitimate local purpose effectively therefore hold repugnant commerce clause iii overruling geer leave powerless protect conserve wild animal life within borders today decision makes clear however may promote legitimate purpose ways consistent basic principle economic unit nation hood sons du mond wild animal becomes article commerce use limited citizens one state exclusion citizens another state geer connecticut supra field dissenting reversed footnotes person may ship transport minnows sale state outside source without first procured license director person may transport ship minnows sale outside state seined procured within waters state except nothing contained herein shall prohibit person leaving state possessing three dozen less minnows nothing contained herein shall prohibit sale shipment minnows raised regularly licensed commercial minnow hatchery fee license section shall residents one hundred dollars nonresidents three hundred dollars person convicted violating provisions section shall punished fine less one hundred dollars two hundred dollars section part oklahoma wildlife conservation code another provision code requires persons minnow dealer license lawfully seine trap minnows within state except use bait supp limit imposed number minnows licensed dealer may take state waters regulation except concerning disposition lawfully acquired minnows may sold within oklahoma person purpose may taken state purpose except sale commerce clause one prolific sources national power equally prolific source conflict legislation state constitution vests congress power regulate commerce among say may may absence congressional action draw line commerce among perhaps even interpretation written word advanced solidarity prosperity nation meaning given great silences constitution hood sons du mond philadelphia new jersey made clear definition commerce definition commerce relied strike restrict state legislation relied support exertion federal control regulation see gibbons ogden wheat willson black bird creek marsh pet cooley board wardens port richmond bergen point ferry board chosen freeholders di santo pennsylvania parker brown southern pacific arizona ex rel sullivan hood sons du mond supra pike bruce church see generally frankfurter commerce clause marshall taney waite dowling interstate commerce state power rev dowling interstate commerce state power revised version colum rev sole issue case presents lawful constitution section article state connecticut allow killing birds within state designated open season allow birds killed used sold bought use within state yet forbid transportation beyond state state otherwise state connecticut power regulate killing game within borders confine use limits state forbid transmission outside state recognized geer analysis authorities issue open question toomer witsell qualification forbids game removal state necessarily entered formed part every transaction subject deprived mere sale exchange articles element freedom contract full ownership essential attribute commerce passing however decision question granting dealing game killed within state provision question created internal state commerce follow internal commerce became necessarily interstate commerce therefore control constitution power state control killing ownership game admitted commerce game state law permitted necessarily internal commerce since restriction become subject external commerce went along grant part power state protect adequate police regulation people adulteration articles food although commerce might remotely affected necessarily carries existence like power preserve food supply belongs common people state become subject ownership qualified way never object commerce except consent state subject conditions may deem best impose public good emphasis added field dissenting see harlan dissenting field dissenting see harlan dissenting inconsistency result case geer overlooked dissenting justice see pennsylvania west virginia holmes dissenting significantly brother rehnquist relies dissent discussion alternative basis geer preservation valuable natural resource rationale see supra post opinion pennsylvania west virginia like west expressly rejected argument along interstate commerce rationale law challenged packing passed july state legislature may encouraged take action certain language lacoste louisiana dept conservation language also relied oklahoma criminal appeals case lacoste upheld louisiana severance tax skins wild furbearing animals alligators taken state cited geer proposition wild animals within borders far capable ownership owned state sovereign capacity common benefit people ownership exercise police power state may regulate control taking subsequent use property rights may acquired therein preamble act read part follows declare shrimp parts thereof waters state property state louisiana provide manner extent reduction private ownership packing haydel cited cases proposition state without power prevent privately owned articles trade shipped sold interstate commerce ground required satisfy local demands needed people state representative people state might retained shrimp consumption use therein permitting shrimp taken products thereof shipped sold interstate commerce state necessarily releases hold shrimp taken definitely terminates control clearly authorization taking pursuance thereof put end trust upon state deemed control shrimp benefit people taking shrimp authority act necessarily thereby become entitled rights private ownership protection commerce clause see hicklin orbeck distinguished geer basis used packing takahashi fish game decided day toomer reviewed cases distinguishing questioning geer found state claim ownership inadequate justify ban commercial fishing alien residents recent years recognized interest regulating controlling things claim including wildlife means absolute may compel confinement benefits resources even wildlife people whenever hoarding confinement impedes interstate commerce packing haydel pennsylvania west virginia west kansas natural gas baldwin montana fish game see douglas seacoast products hatever state ultimate purpose may accomplished discriminating articles commerce coming outside state unless reason apart origin treat differently philadelphia new jersey see supra section apply persons transporting three dozen less natural minnows outside state see supra brief oklahoma argues apparently first time discrimination sales natural minnows justified minnows purchased state likely used bait state waters brief appellee state contends minnows returned state waters bait upset ecological balance much never return late appearance argument total absence record support questionable factual assumptions underlie give flavor post hoc rationalization state bare assertion certainly inadequate survive scrutiny invoked facial discrimination case oklahoma concedes return natural minnows bait irrelevant aspects preserving ecological balance brief appellee justice rehnquist chief justice joins dissenting seeming preoccupation recent years laws relating wildlife must suspect appear curious casual observers institution curious however recent pronouncements validity geer connecticut less one year ago unreservedly reaffirmed principles announced geer baldwin montana fish game today overrules decision disagree overruling geer holding oklahoma law relating sale minnows violates commerce clause dissent headlong rush overrule geer characterizes decision rest ing holding interstate commerce involved ante true one rationales relied geer state exercise power control killing ownership animals ferae naturae prohibit game leaving borders state thus prevent game ever becoming objects interstate commerce since geer view challenged statute effectively prevented certain game entering stream interstate commerce basis commerce clause challenge state law dispute rejection theory points rationale rejected long today ante see west kansas natural gas objection line reasoning undoubtedly considered important majority geer unnecessary sustain decision unneeded disposition present case one oklahoma criminal appeals state contends minnows issue subjects interstate commerce obvious simply set theory sort strawman facilitate toppling decision respects enunciates principles remained valid vital albeit somewhat refined least today geer expressed view derived roman law wild fish game located within territorial limits state common property citizens state kind trustee may exercise common ownership benefit citizens admittedly state wild creatures within borders conventional sense word baldwin montana fish game supra douglas seacoast products toomer witsell missouri holland concept expressed ownership doctrine obsolete baldwin montana fish game supra burger concurring long recognized ownership language geer similar cases simply shorthand way describing state substantial interest preserving regulating exploitation fish game natural resources within boundaries benefit citizens douglas seacoast products supra toomer witsell supra recognition important state interest upheld variety regulations designed conserve maintain natural resources state see baldwin montana fish game supra huron portland cement detroit lacoste louisiana dept conservation patsone pennsylvania geer connecticut supra manchester massachusetts mccready virginia smith maryland sure state power preserve regulate wildlife within borders absolute state accorded wide latitude fashioning regulations appropriate protection wildlife unless regulation directly conflicts federal statute treaty douglas seacoast products supra kleppe new mexico missouri holland supra allocates access manner violates fourteenth amendment takahashi fish game represents naked attempt discriminate enterprises favor businesses unrelated purpose conservation packing haydel state special interest preserving wildlife prevail true matter balkanized resulting pattern commercial activity oklahoma law issue case serves special interest state representative citizens preserving regulating exploitation minnows found within waters law serve protect depletion minnows oklahoma natural streams commercial exportation crim app oklahoma statutory scheme may artfully designed accomplish purpose range regulations state may adopt circumstances extremely broad particularly burden interstate commerce minimal see douglas seacoast products rehnquist concurring part dissenting part lacoste louisiana dept conservation supra cf baldwin montana fish game kleppe new mexico supra contrary view think oklahoma regulation commercial exploitation natural minnows either discriminates enterprises favor local businesses burdens interstate commerce minnows least showing made record us cf florida lime avocado growers paul case state regulation permits residents export naturally seined minnows prohibits nonresidents person allowed export natural minnows sale outside oklahoma statute evenhanded application see okla tit supp state used power protect citizens outside competition see hunt washington apple advertising hood sons du mond case state requires nonresident business condition exporting minnows move significant portion operations state use certain state resources pursuit business benefit local economy see toomer witsell packing haydel johnson haydel cf pike bruce church notwithstanding protestations contrary oklahoma blocked flow interstate commerce minnows state borders see ante appellant anyone else may freely export many minnows wishes long minnows transported hatchery minnows naturally seined minnows record simply fail see interstate commerce minnows commodity issue impeded least oklahoma regulatory scheme oklahoma regulate manner residents nonresidents procure minnows sold outside state showing record requiring appellant purchase minnows hatcheries instead persons licensed seine minnows state waters way increase appellant costs business also nothing record indicate naturally seined minnows desirable items commerce hatchery minnows far record us indicates hatchery minnows naturally seined minnows fungible accordingly minimal burden may result requiring appellant purchase minnows destined sale state hatcheries instead licensed seine minnows view outweighed oklahoma substantial interest conserving regulating exploitation natural minnow population therefore affirm judgment oklahoma criminal appeals see tva hill snail darters baldwin montana fish game elk douglas seacoast products menhaden kleppe new mexico wild horses burros fact internal commerce may distinct interstate commerce destroys whole theory upon argument plaintiff error proceeds power state control killing ownership game admitted commerce game state law permitted necessarily internal commerce since restriction become subject external commerce went along grant part geer connecticut geer assigned alternative basis decision held state exercise police power act preserve people valuable food supply even though interstate commerce remotely indirectly affected aside authority state derived common ownership game trust benefit people state exercises relation thereto another view power state regard property game equally conclusive right preserve game flows undoubted existence state police power end may none less efficiently called play interstate commerce may remotely indirectly affected kidd pearson hall de cuir sherlock alling gibbons ogden wheat indeed source police power game birds like covered statute called question flows duty state preserve people valuable food supply see also new york ex rel silz hesterberg pennsylvania west virginia holmes dissenting certain statements opinion provide basis hope principles may yet survive overruling geer see ante consider interests conservation protection wild animals legitimate local purposes ante overruling geer leave powerless protect conserve wild animal life within borders geer use term ownership proprietary sense see take correct doctrine country ownership wild animals far capable ownership state proprietor sovereign capacity representative benefit people common geer recognized limits exercise state power preserve wildlife within boundaries see power colonies possessed remains present day far exercise may incompatible restrained rights conveyed federal government constitution view fully consistent balancing approach commerce clause decisionmaking enunciated pike bruce church relied heavily ante pike stated statute regulates evenhandedly effectuate legitimate local public interest effects interstate commerce incidental upheld unless burden imposed commerce clearly excessive relation putative local benefits legitimate local purpose found question becomes one degree extent burden tolerated course depend nature local interest involved whether promoted well lesser impact interstate activities seems doubt conservation purpose oklahoma law state places limit number minnows licensed dealer may take state waters imposes regulation governing disposition minnows within state ante state rationally concluded adequately preserve natural minnow population without additional measures tr oral arg since view prohibition export naturally seined minnows imposes little burden interstate commerce minnows state violated commerce clause choosing export ban natural minnows means effectuate special interest conserving wildlife located within territorial limits thus even putting aside decision geer principles come known considering oklahoma statute according general rule applied state regulations natural resources ante still failed explain oklahoma laws burden discriminate interstate commerce minnows