Which statement concerning rare, threatened, or endangered species is true?

• A. These species are fully protected by law
• B. They are not protected by law
• C. They can be hunted without restrictions
• D. They are protected only on federal lands

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that rare, threatened, or endangered species have strong legal protection. In practice, these species are protected by law, meaning it is illegal to hunt, harm, or harass them, and even certain activities that could disturb their habitat can carry penalties. In the United States, protections come from laws like the Endangered Species Act and are applied across all lands, not just on federal property, so the restrictions apply regardless of where you are. For hunters, this means you must know which species are protected in your area and avoid them entirely, reporting any illegal taking to the authorities if you witness it. The other statements don’t fit because these species are not unprotected, they cannot be hunted without restrictions, and protections are not limited to federal lands.