Which legal doctrine allows for federal regulation of wildlife despite state laws?

The Supremacy Clause is the legal doctrine that establishes that federal laws take precedence over state laws when there is a conflict between the two. This clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, ensures that the federal government can regulate certain areas, including wildlife, regardless of existing state laws.

In the context of wildlife regulation, federal laws often pertain to conservation efforts, endangered species protections, and inter-state commerce involving wildlife. When federal regulations are enacted to protect wildlife, these laws can supersede any state laws that might contradict them, thereby ensuring a consistent approach to wildlife management across the nation.

Other concepts such as the Commerce Clause and the Property Clause also relate to the regulation of resources and commerce, but they do not carry the same broad authority as the Supremacy Clause when it comes to conflicts between state and federal legislation. The Equal Protection Clause, meanwhile, is focused on ensuring individuals are not denied equal protection under the law and does not pertain to this issue of regulatory authority over wildlife.