Transportation and Holding of Native Wildlife

Ø      A Commercial or Noncommercial Captive Wildlife Permit shall be obtained prior to possessing any native wildlife.  Native wildlife may be taken only during the legal trapping season for that species, or from a permitted commercial breeder.

Ø      A person shall not sell, offer to sell, trade or barter native wildlife or parts thereof, obtained from the wild.

Ø      A “Commercial and Noncommercial Captive Wildlife Permit application” should be filled out and signed by the applicant and a Conservation Officer.

Ø      Mail the application and check or money order back to #1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort , KY   40601 .

Ø      A Noncommercial Captive Wildlife Permit expires 3 years from date of issue and is $75.00 per 3 years.

Ø      A Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit expires 1 year from date of issue and costs $150.00 per year.

Ø      A Captive Wildlife Permit cannot be obtained for orphaned wildlife found in the wild.  The best course of action is to leave wildlife alone, because an adult is often nearby and will come back to care for the young.  Otherwise, the injured or orphaned wildlife may be taken to a wildlife rehabilitator (http://fw.ky.gov/rehablist.asp).

Ø      Any wildlife imported into KY, whether native or exotic must have a transportation permit and certificate of health from a veterinarian prior to entry (but see prohibited species list).

Ø      Importation Ban:  Coyotes, Foxes, Raccoons, and Skunks may not be imported into KY at this time due to the rabies virus.

Ø      50 or fewer bobwhite quail may be possessed for personal use without a permit, provided the birds are not propagated or sold.

Ø      Captive Wildlife Permits are not required for persons taking or possessing up to 5 individuals of each species of a native reptile or amphibian (if they are selling the offspring they must have a Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit).  They must get a permit if they possess more than 5 reptiles or amphibians of the same species.

PROHIBITED NATIVE WILDLIFE

Ø      The general public cannot import or possess the following:

(The Commissioner of KDFWR may exempt Zoos, Government Agencies, Colleges, Universities, or Circuses from the prohibited species regulations)

o       Any federally threatened or endangered species

o       Alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)

o       Black bear (Ursus americanus)

o       Copperbelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta)

o       Cougar or mountain lion (Felis concolor)

o       Wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo)

o       Wolf (Canis lupus)