ARIZONA LIVE WILDLIFE PERMITS

AQUATIC WILDLIFE STOCKING AND AQUATIC WILDLIFE RESTOCKING LICENSE

PERMIT required to import, possess, purchase, stock, and transport restricted aquatic species.

LIMITS: Issued for 20 days except when issued to political subdivision of state for vector control (1 year).

DENIAL: Allowed if it will result in negative impact to native wildlife or if proposing to use wildlife in river drainage or stocking area that are incompatible with native species.  

REQUIREMENTS:

  • In addition to other required information, need: approximate size of species, purpose for introduction and dates of stocking
  • Need written proposal if stocking in area not introduced in yet with anticipated benefits, potential adverse economic impacts; potential dangers that may be created for native aquatic species and game fish, and an assessment of probable impacts to sensitive species in the area
  • Aquatic wildlife and eggs must come from fish farm operator or a private noncommercial fish pond certified free of disease through an inspection of the farm or pond before shipment within the last 12 months – certification must be sent to department


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-410

 

LIVE BAIT DEALERS LICENSE

PERMIT required to exhibit for sale, export, import, kill, offer for sale, possess, purchase, sell, trade, or transport live bait species. 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must come from facility certified free of disease through an inspection of the facility before shipment within the last 12 months – certification must be sent to department and must be included in each shipment


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-411



PRIVATE GAME FARM LICENSE

PERMIT required to commercial farm and sale - display or offer for sale, give away, import, possess, propagate and rear, purchase, rent or lease, sell, trade or transport captive pen-reared game birds.

BANS propagating hybrids and domestics with wildlife.


BANS new private game farm licenses for mammals – only allows renewals of current ones which must comply with general provisions, captivity standards and cervid rules

BANS holding domestic species.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with general requirements, captivity standards and cervid requirements
  • Additional information needed: number per species currently held (renewals only)
  • BANS killing by hunting or by paying a fee to kill them
  • BANS Northern bobwhite in game units 36A, 36B, 36C
  • Requires health certificate for each shipment imported within 30 days prior – must submit to department
  • All shipments from site must have name of license holder, license #, date shipped, number of birds per species, name of person or carrier transporting it, and name of person receiving it
  • Transport of carcass from site must have date purchased, traded or gifted, game farm name, number by species
  • Requires annual vet visit
  • Must maintain records for 3 years and includes the following additional information: game farm name, mailing address, telephone number and license number, copies of all governmental permits required for game farm, copy of annual report, number of all birds and date obtained, number of offspring propagated, number/species/date/manner of disposition
  • Requires immediately reporting mortality event resulting in loss of 10% of adult birds in a 7 day period and must allow department to collect samples
  • Requires annual report with number of birds by species, source, date obtained/propagated, date of disposition and name of person who received them
  • Disposal for game birds no longer used for commercial purpose is limited to export, transfer to another private game farm, zoo, medical or scientific research facility or as otherwise directed or authorized


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-413


GAME BIRD LICENSE

PERMIT required for noncommercial use, field training and trials and shooting preserves.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must comply with general permit requirements
  • Hobby and shooting preserve require immediately reporting mortality event resulting in loss of 10% of adult birds and must allow department to collect samples
  • All except hobby permit NOT required to have hunting license
  • All except hobby permit allows released birds to be taken with any method listed in 12-4-304 which lists lawful methods to take birds
  • Shooting preserve:
    • limited to release and take on private lands up to 1000 acres
    • May charge fee for hunting


  • Permits may be denied if:
    • Proposing to release birds in area where wild population of that species exists or during nesting periods of upland game birds or waterfowl in that area
    • Proposing a hobby license for more than 50 birds
    • Possessing northern bobwhite in game management units 36A, 36B, 36C
    • It threatens native wildlife, habitat or public health or safety
    • Escape may threaten native wildlife, habitat, or public health or safety
    • Release may interfere with wildlife or habitat restoration program


  • Additional information required: physical address, species and number currently held for renewals, type of game bird license, name/mailing address/phone number/physical address or general location of location where held, sponsor organization’s name, mailing address, telephone number; range of dates event will take place within 10-day period (field trial only)
  • Description or diagram of facility limited to hobby and shooting preserve
  • Shipments imported into state require health certificate within 30 days prior with a copy submitted to the department
  • Transporters must have permit holder name, license number, date obtained, number by species, person or carrier and person receiving shipment
  • Records must also include license holder’s name, mailing address, telephone number, license number and copy of annual report
  • Activities must be conducted at locations and during timeframes allowed by department
  • Requires annual report with number by species, source of birds and date obtained, number of propagated offspring, and number/species/date/manner of disposition
  • Released game birds outside location on permit become property of state


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-414


WILDLIFE HOLDING LICENSE

PERMIT required to display for education, euthanize, export, give away, import, photograph for commercial purposes, possess, propagate, purchase and transport of restricted and nonrestricted wildlife

BANS cervids.

BANS the barter, gift, commercial loan, offer for sale, sale, trade, or disposal of restricted live wildlife, their offspring and parts unless authorized under permit.

REQUIREMENTS:


  • Comply with general requirements, captivity standards and cervid requirements
  • Additional information required: affiliated scientific institution’s name, mailing address, telephone number; number per species currently held (renewals); affiliated educational institution’s name, mailing address, telephone number, copy of curriculum, plan to address safety concerns; dates to begin and end holding wildlife; clear description of how wildlife will be disposed of after; evidence of lawful possession; statement of experience handling wildlife; written proposal with detailed description of activity, purpose, contribution to one of the allowed purposes, and for humane treatment – statement why wildlife is unable to meet own needs in the wildand the veterinarian’s name, mailing address and phone number
  • Allows denying permit if in best interest of public health or safety of the wildlife OR if it will adversely impact other wildlife or habitat
  • Requires permanent marking of restricted wildlife when requested
  • Copy of license must accompany any transport
  • Must surrender wildlife upon request
  • Requires annual report with list, source and acquisition date of animals held during the year, permanent identifier when required, whether alive or dead, current location and all educational displays to include date, location, institution or audience, approximate attendance, and wildlife used
  • Allows appointing agent to assist permit holder if privileges are not revoked or suspended in any state
    • Must obtain written authorization
    • Must notify department within 10 days of terminating one
    • Allows suspension or revocation of permit holder’s license if the agent violates any stipulations
    • Must have evidence of lawful possession for all wildlife AND return wildlife to the primary license holder’s facility within 2 days of receiving it
  • Permit no longer valid if primary purpose no longer exists


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-417


SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY LICENSE

PERMIT required to capture, hold and release wildlife under direction of Department; dead wildlife collection, display, noncommercial photography, possess, propagate, live take, transport and use in education.

BANS exhibition except under zoo permit.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with general requirements
  • Additional information required: scientific, educational, or government institution, nonprofit organization, or agency’s name, mailing address, telephone number and applicant’s title or description of affiliation with it; species and number currently held (renewals); list of activities to be performed; purpose and justification for use of wildlife; minimum number of presentations anticipated, name/title/address/phone of person that was offered educational presentations, and number of specimen already possessed (educational purpose only); handling and care experience; methods of take to use with justification and proposed disposal
  • Allows department to rescind or modify take method, restrict number per species or other taxa, restrict age, condition and location of wildlife taken, and deny or substitute number and type of species requested
  • Allows denial if in best interest of wildlife, it will adversely impact wildlife and habitat, or in best interest of public health and safety
  • Must possess license during activities
  • Notify department in 10 calendar days of termination of agent
  • Use most humane and practical method
  • Conduct activities at locations and times listed on permit
  • Dispose of wildlife as directed
  • Need advance written authorization to administer drugs except by vet during treatment
  • Allows an agent to assist them if they have an employment or supervisory relationship, the agent’s privilege to take or possess wildlife has NOT been suspended or revoked, approval is obtained, and agent always has copy of license while assisting – license holder is liable for agent’s action and may have license suspended or revoked for them
  • Allows written request to add or delete agent, location, project or another component to license
  • Requires annual report with current species inventory and summaries of acquisitions and dispositions
  • Permanent holding of wildlife under license no longer used for scientific activities must have wildlife holding license or another license  


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-418


ZOO LICENSE

PERMIT required to exhibit, export, euthanize, educational display, give away, import, offer for sale, possess, propagate, purchase, sell, or transport restricted and unrestricted wildlife.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with general requirements, captivity standards, primate and cervid requirements
  • Allow denying permit if in best interest of the wildlife or if it will adversely impact wildlife species or habitat
  • Other required information: name, mailing address and phone number of educational or scientific institution; scientific names of species; number per species currently held (renewals); description of how facility meets the definition of a zoo; purpose of the license; proof of USDA license; photo of the facility except AZA or ZAA
  • Requires annual vet visit
  • Must hold in way that prevents escape and prevents entry of unauthorized persons and wildlife
  • Must hold wildlife in facility location except from transport between temporary exhibit, medical treatment or other activities approved in writing
  • Limits temporary exhibits to 60 consecutive days at one location
  • Sign with days and hours open
  • Testing in last 12 months of animals in contact with public
  • Wildlife obtained under scientific activity license or loaned by the Department may only be disposed of as directed by department
  • Records for restricted live wildlife must include number, source, date obtained, number of propagated, and number, species, date and method of disposition
  • BANS accepting wildlife without evidence of lawful possession OR importing wildlife for public contact that is positive for zoonotic disease
  • Disposal of restricted limited to:
    • giving, selling or trading to another zoo, license holder or person authorized in another state
    • giving, selling or donating to medical or scientific research facility
    • export to AZA or ZAA zoo
    • as otherwise directed
  • New species of restricted require written request unless held the prior year and included in that report or authorized in advance


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-420


WILDLIFE SERVICE LICENSE

PERMIT required to provide, advertise, or offer assistance in removing live wildlife.

  • EXEMPT: rodents except Sciuridae, European starlings, [DELETE peach-faced] rosy-faced love birds, house sparrows, Eurasian collared-doves, rock pigeons and non-native wildlife; governmental public safety agency


BANS exhibiting wildlife or parts.

BANS keeping wildlife beyond time needed to transport and relocate or euthanize it.

BANS keeping wildlife parts. 

Special permission from regional office for javelina.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Allows capture, removal, transportation and relocation if causing property damage, threat to public health or safety or if the health or safety of the wildlife is threatened by its environment
  • Comply with general requirements and captivity standards
  • Additional information needed: physical description of applicant including eye color, hair color, height, weight; hours and days of week available for service; designated wildlife species or species groups that will be removed; methods used to perform activities; general geographic area; proof of 6 months of full-time employment or volunteer experience handling those species; written proposal with applicant’s experience in capturing, handling and removing wildlife, specific species of that experience, methods used and disposal methods – when renewing for same species groups, can reference previously submitted written proposal and experience
  • Removal and relocation must be in manner least likely to cause injury to wildlife and prevents public contact
  • Release must be without immediate threat to wildlife or injurious contact with humans, during ecologically appropriate time, in suitable habitat, in same geographic area captured (birds can be anywhere in state within range), in area designated by regional office
  • Euthanasia allowed using safest, quickest, most humane method available
  • Allows giving injured or orphaned wildlife to rehabilitator
  • Disposal of euthanized or otherwise deceased wildlife limited to burial or incineration within 30 days unless otherwise directed
  • Have copy of license during activities
  • Inform department in 5 working days of changes to phone number, area of service, business hours or days
  • May submit written request to add or delete authority to control and release designated species
  • Annual report with list of all services performed including date and location, number and species removed, method of disposition, location and date of releases


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-421

 


SPORT FALCONRY LICENSE

PERMIT required to capture, possess, train, transport wild, captive-bred and hybrid raptors for sport falconry.

  • EXEMPT: raptors not listed on 2019 edition Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and Class II general and Class III master falconer using only birds not on the MBTA, out-of-state falconer in the state less than 180 days


LEVELS:

  • Apprentice
    • 12+, written sponsor statement from general or master class
    • LIMIT: 1 raptor and NO federal endangered or threatened species 2019 edition, wild nestlings, imprinted raptors, bald eagles, white-tailed eagles, Steller’s sea-eagles, golden eagles


  • General
    • 16+, written statement from Apprentice sponsor stating 2 years as apprentice falconer including 4 months training, maintaining, flying and hunting with raptor
    • LIMIT: 3 raptors and up to federal permitted numbers under propagation or abatement permit and NO bald eagles, white-tailed eagles, Steller’s sea-eagles, golden eagles


  • Master
    • 5 years as General Falconer
    • ALLOWED: 1) any species of wild, captive-bred or hybrid raptors, 2) any number of captive-bred ones trained to hunt game, 3) 3 total golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, or Steller’s Sea eagle, 4) up to number on federal abatement/propagation permit
    • LIMIT: no more than 3 eagles and 5 wild caught raptors AND NO bald eagles
    • Eagles require: proof of experience in large raptors like goshawks including species, type and duration of activities used to gain experience, 2 references from those that work with large raptors with experience and ability to handle them


GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973
  • Comply with general permit requirements [DELETED, captivity standards]
  • Comply with all other government laws, comply with federal laws for federally protected wildlife, NOT capture, release or conduct falconry on prohibited public lands or private lands without permission
  • Permit information required (as applicable): falconry level, name, date of birth, mailing address, telephone number, department ID number, applicant physical description (eye and hair color, height, weight), hunting license number, # years of experience, current falconry level, physical address of housing facility, raptor species/subspecies/age/sex/band or microchip number/date and source of acquisition, certification that permit not suspended or revoked, parent or guardian signature (under 18), date of application, other requested information, certification of knowledge of all state and federal laws, copy of federal propagation or abatement permit
  • Apprentice additional permit info: sponsor name, date of birth, mailing address, department ID number, telephone number and written statement they agree to sponsor them
  • General additional permit info: experience documentation with species and time possessed during apprentice falconer, written statement from sponsor of 2 years of experience and 4 months working with raptors
  • Master additional permit info: certification of experience with own raptors for 5 years
  • Sport Falconry License and hunting license required to take quarry with a raptor
  • Sponsors: 18+, General or Master Falconer 2 years, no more than 3 apprentices, notify department within 30 days of terminating apprentice, must determine appropriate species for apprentice, provide instruction including training, husbandry, trapping, hunting and the relevant laws
  • Out-of-State Falconers: must comply with state and federal regulations, have health certificate if in state more than 30 days
    • LIMIT: species on the other permit
  • Out-of-Country Falconers: remove from state when done, report escapes and deaths in state, comply with government laws, comply with other country laws, notify department 30 days before import, provide health certificate for import within 30 days prior, attach 2 radio transmitters during free flight
    • LIMIT: Species on the other permit for which US import is allowed
  • Need proof of previously held license orproof of exam (must answer 80% correct – also required if license expired >5 years or from another country) and have housing facility inspected
  • Allow inspection of housing facilities, materials, equipment and raptors and have all raptors present at time of inspection along with a written permission statement of property owner (if not owned by applicant) – allowed before and during license period, after change of location, prior to acquiring new species or additional raptor – must be done in compliance with 41-1009
  • Notify department within 5 business days of housing facility location change
  • Housing facilities: healthy and safe, keeps predators and domestic animals out, prevents injury, easy to access and clean, fresh water and sunlight, perch protected from extreme temperatures or wind, large enough to fly if untethered and fully extend wings without damage or touching other raptors if tethered, one sunlight opening, solid walls with vertical bars (excludes nestlings) – may be kept in residence with perch if tethered or restrained (excludes nestlings), may include multiple compatible raptors, may be temporarily outdoors while under observation, may keep in temporary approved housing facility for 120 days or uninspected one for 30 days
  • Equipment: 1 flexible leash, 1 appropriate swivel, 1 – 2” deep water container, suitable equipment to protect against wind and temperature extremes while off location, 1 pair of jesses or Alymeri jesses
  • Report changes on paper 3-186A within 10 business days with changes to acquisition, banding, escape when not recovered in 30 days, death, microchipping, rebanding, release, take or transfer – must keep all copies and documents for 5 years after no longer having raptor
  • Must immediately report theft to department regional office in 48 hours and USFWS via submitting 3-186A in 10 days 
  • Capturing raptors requires this license or similar state license, AZ hunt permit-tag, and AZ hunting or combination license – has several requirements – must report capture of BBL banded raptor to them online – adult golden eagles and sub-adults may be captured during livestock depredation area and permit and control area in effect by USDA or governor
    • LIMIT: 2/year; Apprentice – allowed raptors that are adults or under a year old (except nestlings), rest – any age raptor if a nestling remains in nest;
  • Must meet all banding, microchipping, release and other requirements listed
  • NEW – allowing abatement with federally permitted abatement raptor, requires providing temporary caretakers with copy of 3-186A showing falconer possesses those raptors, limits assisting wildlife rehabilitator to general or master falconer and only for federally licensed rehabilitator, only veterinarian can determine raptor can no longer be flown (removes rehabilitator), requires incineration of any raptor suspected with West Nile Virus or poisoning (except lead), requiring tag for raptor carcass that is attached to it before sending to National Eagle Repository or non-eagle repository


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-422



WILDLIFE REHABILITATION LICENSE

PERMIT required to capture, euthanize, export to zoo, receive from public, rehabilitate, release, temporarily possess, transport, transfer to vet/another license/zoo live injured, disabled, orphaned or debilitated wildlife. 

  • EXEMPT: possession, care and release of up to 25 non-Migratory Bird Treaty Act listed passerine birds and doves, quail, pheasant, chukar, rodents, hares and rabbits taken by hand or hand-instrument for up to 60 days which must be released in sustainable habitat and same geographic area (after 60 days or vet care needed: must transfer to rehabilitator or vet, euthanize or obtain wildlife holding permit) – no hunting license needed
  • Excludes: eggs, Species of Greatest Conservation Need, migratory birds and those who unlawfully injured, orphaned, or otherwise debilitated the wildlife by their own actions


BANS displaying for educational purposes, exhibiting or permanently possessing wildlife. 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with general permit requirements, captivity standards and cervid requirements


  • Additional application information: applicant’s date of birth, housing facility address, physical address or general location including GPS, wildlife taxa or species, detailed description, diagram and photos of housing facility; copy of veterinary license, 6 months rehabilitative work at least 8 hours/week for the taxa or another state’s rehabilitation license; proof of completing exam (initial), affidavit person is licensed vet or one is available, and written preferred method of disposing of non-releasable wildlife training and experience in handling, capturing, rehabilitating, and caring for the taxa


  • Special request must be made on application for eagles, US endangered and threatened wildlife as of 2019, and Department’s Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need


  • All wildlife remains property of state and must be surrendered upon request


  • Must NOT practice veterinary medicine unless licensed to


  • Pass a department written or verbal exam in 3 years of submitting application by correctly answering 80% of the questions regarding wildlife rehabilitation, safe handling, transport, humane treatment, human and wildlife safety, applicable state laws, National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association minimum standards, and nutritional, behavioral, developmental, ecological and habitat requirements,


  • Only 1 application is required regardless of locations


  • Renewals: May use previously submitted supporting materials if no changes, need to retake exam if no rehabilitation since license issued, proof of 8 hours of continuing education from university or college, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council or other department approved opportunities


  • Allows agent to assist if requested in application and they have employment or supervisory relationship, agent has 6 months rehabilitative experience with 8 hours/week, agent has no wildlife take or possession privilege suspended or revoked, and agent allows inspection of their own facility when possessing wildlife more than 48 hours which must be done under 41-1009, always has copy of license while conducting activities – license holder liable for agent’s actions and may have license suspended or revoked for those actions


  • Amendments to license: adding/deleting agent requires the applicant information, location information, wildlife taxa and facility description, diagram and photos, proof of completingthe exam and proof of experience above; location change requires the applicant information, location information, wildlife taxa and facility description, diagram and photos, and any other required information, vet license or experience, proof of exam, proof of being or having a vet, and statement of disposal method and experience


  • Must report to the department within 24 hours of receiving Galliformes, big game mammals, carnivores, eagles, US endangered and threatened wildlife as of 2019, and Department’s Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need


  • Annual vet visits, conduct activities using method least likely to cause harm, rehabilitate animals only at license location, be responsible for all actions and expenses, immediately surrender wildlife upon request, bury, incinerate or transport to science institution all dead wildlife within 30 days (endangered or threatened species, Tier 1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need species, or eagles per the department), maintain log for annual report information, have copy of license at each location, incinerate all raptors suspected of West Nile Virus or poisoning except lead, send all parts of golden and bald eagles to National Eagle Repository, send euthanized non-eagle raptors to repository or burn, bury or destroy them, send all other raptors to non-eagle repository or department


  • Allows requesting longer time to possess wildlife which must be addressed within 10 days – medical necessity requires written vet statement


  • Allows federally licensed rehabilitator to give written authorization with species, injury and band number to falconer to assist in conditioning raptor for release and to remove the raptor from the facility for such purpose up to the 180 day limit


  • Release: must be in area without immediate threat to wildlife or contact with humans at ecologically appropriate time, in suitable habitat in same geological area or department authorized area


  • Wildlife not releasable in time must be disposed of, transferred or euthanized


  • Must obtain Wildlife Holding Permit for unreleaseable wildlife declared by veterinarian


  • Requires annual report with applicant’s and agent’s name, mailing address and phone number; permit number of federal permits; copy of federal permit report of activities for any federally-protected wildlife; itemized list of species, condition, date/source/location/age at acquisition, status/method/location/date of disposition


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-423



WHITE AMUR STOCKING AND RESTOCKING LICENSES

PERMIT required to import, possess, stock in a closed aquatic system, and transport triploid white amur. 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Aquatic wildlife, eggs and milt must come from fish farm operator or a private noncommercial fish pond certified free of the diseases and causative agents through inspection by qualified fish health inspector or fish pathologist within 12 months prior to shipment – copy must be sent to department


  • Comply with general permit requirements [DELETED and captivity standards]


  • Additional permit info: [DELETED name, federal tax ID, mailing address and phone for commercial purposes,] detailed description of closed system that includes description for how it meets closed system, size of waterbody, nearest river, stream or freshwater, points where water enters and leaves each waterbody, location of fish containment barriers; number and length of amurs to be stocked; dates to be stocked/restocked


  • If stocking in watershed that conflicts with efforts to conserve wildlife, must provide anticipated benefits from introduction, potential risks for wildlife including if incompatible with native aquatic species or game fish and method for determining such impact; assessment of impact to sensitive species using Online Environmental Review Tool


  • Each closed system, separate managed portion of closed system, multiple closed systems owned or controlled by applicant are considered separate locations


  • Restocking license is for when there are no changes to closed system – needs inspection certification from supplier


  • All shipments must have USFWS or similar certifying they are triploid (three homologous sets of chromosomes that renders the individuals sterile)


Law: Arizona Admin Code 12-4-424