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Aside from the general hunting and fishing licenses, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources also offers several special permits. Special permits have very specific regulations, application processes, and license calendar years. Please check for specific information regarding these permits.
For exotic species, a captive wildlife permit is not necessary. However, for a native Kentucky species, you must obtain a Non-Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit before taking possession of the wild animal(s).
You will need a Commercial Captive Wildlife Permit. For the possession of White-tailed deer (cervids) you will need an Captive Cervid Permit. For the propagation of raptors, you will also need the USFWS Raptor Propagation Permit.
For exotic species, a captive wildlife permit is not necessary. However, for a native Kentucky species, you must obtain a Non-Commerical Captive Wildlife Permit before taking possession of the wild animal(s).
You will need a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit. You will be required to return the animals to the wild and not to keep them as pets. The possession of baby wildlife found in the wild is prohibited.
You will need a Wildlife Control Operators Permit.
You will need a Scientific Research Wildlife Collection Permit.
You will need an Educational Wildlife Collection Permit.
You will need an Wildlife Management Area Use Permit.
Caused by the bacterium Brucella suis, this disease can also affect domestic swine, leading to symptoms such as abortion, lameness, hind limb paralysis, inflamed testicles or mammary glands, and abscesses. It can also be transmitted to humans. Swine are the natural hosts of B. suis. The last detection of swine brucellosis in a feral pig in Kentucky occurred in 2013, and the disease is not considered endemic.
Caused by Toxoplasma gondii, one of the world’s most common parasites, toxoplasmosis can cause mortality in young animals. Toxoplasmosis can affect domestic pigs and other livestock, pets such as domestic cats, and wildlife. It is also a significant health risk to pregnant women and immunocompromised people.
Trichinellosis is a disease caused by a parasitic nematode (roundworm), Trichinella spiralis. Domestic swine, especially pasture-raised pigs, are at higher risk of infection by ingesting the parasite through contaminated tissues or feces. Humans can become infected by eating undercooked, infected meat.
Tularemia, also known as rabbit fever or deer fly fever, is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis. The bacteria are transmitted through bites from fleas, ticks, and other arthropods that have fed on infected wildlife. Domestic swine, livestock such as cattle and sheep, wildlife, pets (particularly rodents and rabbits), and humans can all become infected. The disease is endemic in Kentucky.
*These permits must be signed by a licensed physician and carried by the permit holder.