<P> When undertaking arrest warrants, agents may wear bullet - resistant vests, badges, and other clothing bearing the inscription "bail enforcement agent" or similar titles . Many agents also use two - way radios to communicate with each other . Many agents arm themselves with firearms; or sometimes with less lethal weapons, such as tasers, batons, tear gas (CS gas, pepper spray) or pepper spray projectiles . </P> <P> In the United States, the National Association of Fugitive Recovery Agents is the professional association representing this industry . </P> <P> Most bounty hunters are employed by bail bondsmen: the bounty hunter is usually paid about 10% of the total bail amount, but this commission can vary on an individual, case - by - case basis; usually depending upon the difficulty level of the assignment and the approach used to exonerate the bail bond . If the fugitive eludes bail, the bondsman, not the bounty hunter, is responsible for 100% of the total bail amount . This is a way of ensuring clients arrive at trial . As of 2003, bounty hunters claimed to catch 31,500 bail jumpers per year, about 90% of people who jump bail . </P> <P> Bounty hunters have varying levels of authority in their duties with regard to their targets depending on which states they operate in . Barring restrictions applicable state by state, a bounty hunter may enter the fugitive's private property without a warrant in order to execute a re-arrest . A bounty hunter cannot, however, enter the property of anyone other than the fugitive without a warrant or the owner's permission . </P>

Are there still bounty hunters in the us