I know it is an option outside of the US, not so sure within the US. Definately not where I hunt in GA.Lots of places it is legal. And places where it is illegal is a recent thing. Them being made illegal started with these same conversations.
Also, lots of times laws have zero to do with what the biologists says. Check the most recent trapper regulation in Colorado that went against the head of the board and the state biologists.