Scientific and Educational Collecting

1. The Scientific and Educational Collecting Permit authorizes the collecting and holding of wildlife for zoological, educational, or scientific purposes.

2. Scientific wildlife collecting—means the taking and subsequent possession or release of protected wildlife specimens for the purposes of conducting scientific investigations or evaluations for which compensation is received.

3. Educational wildlife collecting—means the taking and subsequent possession or release of protected wildlife by an individual or nonprofit organization for use in the bona fide instruction of students or for a university-related research project.

How do I get SCIENTIFIC or EDUCATIONAL COLLECTING PERMITS?

1. Fill out the Scientific and Educational Collecting Permit Application;

2. A “Scientific and Educational Collecting Permit Qualifications Form” for each person listed on the application, available on our website or by calling 800-852-0942.  Qualification forms only need to be submitted 1 time for each person—once approved, the forms will be maintained on file.  New qualification forms are only needed if an applicant adds a new group of protected species that was not on their original Qualification Form;

3. If the applicant(s) are wanting to collect bats, mussels, copperbelly water snakes, fishes in a watershed known to harbor federally threatened or endangered fish species, or is specifically sampling for federally protected species of fish or wildlife, they must also submit:

1. Written affidavits for each applicant stating that they possess the ability to identify federally protected species in the field.  Affidavits only need to be submitted 1 time for each person—once approved, the affidavits will be maintained on file.  New affidavits are only needed if an applicant adds a new group of protected species that was not covered by their original affidavit.
2. Project proposal stating the specific goals and locations of the collecting activities.

4. Current Costs: Educational Collecting Permit is $25; Scientific Collecting Permit is $250.

5. Permit Renewal:
1. Prior year’s data must be reported prior to application for renewal (see below for reporting information);
2. Applicant must submit a new application;
3. Qualification forms and affidavits are only needed for new collectors

Other important facts about SCIENTIFIC or EDUCATIONAL COLLECTING PERMITS….

1. A Scientific and Educational Collecting Permit is valid from January 1 through December 31 of the same year.

2.      A department-approved, qualified person as listed on the Scientific or Educational Collection Permit shall be present at all collection activities involving bats, mussels, fishes within watersheds known to harbor federally protected fishes, or when any other federally-protected species is possibly going to be collected.

3.      At least one (1) person in a field party shall carry a valid Scientific or Educational Collecting Permit or a photocopy of the permit.  Each person collecting protected fish and wildlife shall be listed on the Scientific or Educational Collecting Permit.

4.      A Scientific or Educational Collecting Permit shall not be used in lieu of a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.

5.      Federally-threatened or endangered species may not be killed.  Federally threatened or endangered species inadvertently killed shall be reported to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources within twenty-four (24) hours and all specimens submitted to the department within seven (7) days of taking.  All captured protected wildlife not killed shall be released at the capture location.

What are reporting requirements for both types of permits?

1.      All Scientific Collecting Permit holders must submit a report.

2.      For Educational Collecting Permits, only university-related research projects are required to report their data according to the requirements below.  If not related to university research, no data reporting requirements exist for Educational Collecting Permit holders.

3.      In a given collection year, if you have “no data”, you have to submit an official letter to the appropriate Divisional administrative assistants (Fisheries or Wildlife) stating that no specimens were collected.  The letter will serve as your annual report.

4.      Data must be submitted annually and prior to renewal of new permits; this applies even if you have “no data” (see #3 above).