LIVE WILDLIFE 

BANS restricted live wildlife including hybrids from one restricted parent (excludes MBTA hybrids) and transgenic species except as allowed by a permit listed below. 

  • EXEMPT: gopher tortoises under the special exemptions and further exemptions below
  • GRANDFATHERING: Restricted live wildlife owned legally without permit before effective date of any amendment may continue to be possessed for that purpose (except propagation) if:
    • Written notification is sent to regional office within 30 days OR documentation is maintained with name, address, phone number, number per species, purpose and unique identifier – must be kept until disposal
    • Report birth or hatching of progeny conceived before and born after effective date
    • Disposes of only by export (bans exporting back), euthanasia, transfer to license holder (under conditions of that license), or as otherwise directed
    • Must permanently and uniquely mark the wildlife within 30 days if notification was sent to department or 30 days of department’s request


PERMIT required to import, export, display, exhibit, give away, lease, offer for sale, possess, propagate, purchase, release, rent, sell, sell as live bait, stock, trade, or transport any live unrestricted or restricted live wildlife.  

  • EXEMPT:
    • import of unrestricted mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians possessed under lawful exemption or another state or federal permit if accompanied by a health certificate;
    • import of unrestricted live wildlife possessed under lawful exemption or another state or federal permit AND 1) killed and sent to restaurant or market for food or sent directly there alive OR 2) used for aquarium trade for pets or educational display if kept in aquarium or enclosed pond or fish farm
    • Purchase, possession, exhibit, transport, propagate, trade, rent, lease, give away, sell, offer for sale, export, or kill wildlife and aquatic wildlife imported above


PERMITS (click for detailed information on each)

  • Aquatic Wildlife Stocking and Restocking license (import, possess, purchase, stock, and transport restricted aquatic species) – 20 days - $100 stocking, $20 restocking
    • FREE for political subdivision and last 1 year


  • Game Bird license
    • Game Bird Field Trial (release and take game birds for hunting dog competition) - $45 – limited to 10 days
      • ALLOWS import, kill, possess, purchase in state, and transport for such events; export, gift, kill or transport after event
      • Limited to chukar, mallard federally marked, northern bobwhite, and ringneck and white-wing pheasant

    • Game Bird Field Training (release and take game birds to train dog or raptor to hunt game birds) - $95 initial, $45 renewal – 3 years
      • ALLOWS: import, possess, purchase in state, and transport; export, gift, kill or transport game birds when done
      • Limited to chukar, mallard federally marked, northern bobwhite, and ringneck and white-wing pheasant

    • Game Bird Hobby (possess 50 pen-reared game birds OR export, import, kill, possess, propagate, purchase, and transport for noncommercial purposes OR gift to another license holder) - $80 initial, $40 renewal – 3 years
      • Limited to chukar, dusky grouse and California, Gambel’s, scaled, northern bobwhite, and Montezuma quail

    • Game Bird Shooting Preserve (release captive birds for hunting) - $425 initial, $155 renewal – 3 years
      • ALLOWS: export, display, gift, import, kill, offer for sale, possess, propagate, purchase, trade, and transport
      • Limited to chukar, mallard federally marked, northern bobwhite, and ringneck and white-wing pheasant


  • Live Bait Dealer’s license (exhibit for sale, export, import, kill, offer for sale, possess, purchase, sell, trade, or transport listed live bait) - 3 years - $125 initial, $35 renewal
    • limited to desert sucker, fathead minnow, golden shiner, goldfish, longfin dace, speckled dace, waterdogs


  • Private Game Farm license (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) - $395 initial, $145 renewal – 3 years
    • Limited to: chukar, mallard if federally marked, dusky grouse, ringneck and whitewing pheasant and California, Gambel’s, scaled, northern bobwhite, Montezuma, and mountain quail


  • Scientific Activity license (capture, hold and release wildlife under direction of Department; dead wildlife collection, display, noncommercial photography, possess, propagate, live take, transport and education) - $70 initial/renewal – Annual
    • Types:
      • Academic Institution
      • Government Agency
      • Non-Governmental Organization
      • Nonprofit Organization
      • Personal
    • Limited to wildlife management, gathering information valuable to the maintenance of wild populations, education, advancement of science or promotion of public health or welfare for a purpose in best interest of species that does not duplicate other projects


  • Sport Falconry license (capture, possess, train, transport raptor for sport falconry) - $145 initial & renewal


  • White Amur Stocking and Restocking license (import, possess, stock in a closed aquatic system, and transport triploid white amur) - $270 stocking, $120 restocking – 20 days


  • Wildlife Holding license (display for education, euthanize, export, give away, import, photograph for commercial purposes, possess, propagate, purchase and transport restricted and nonrestricted wildlife) – $20 initial & renewal - 3 years
    • Advancement of Science
    • Humane Treatment – if declared unreleaseable by veterinarian
    • Possession under another license for purpose that no longer exists
    • Promotion of Public Health or Welfare
    • Providing Education – must be educator affiliated with educational institution that permit use of live wildlife
    • Photographing for Commercial Purpose – must not pose threat to other wildlife or public or adversely impact affected wildlife
    • Wildlife Management


  • Wildlife Rehabilitation license (rehabilitate live injured, disabled, orphaned or debilitated wildlife) - $20 initial & renewal - limited to 180 days for birds and 90 days for rest
    • ALLOWS: capture, euthanize, export to zoo, receipt from public, release, temporarily possession, transport, transfer to vet/another license/zoo
    • Limited to: amphibians; reptiles; the following birds: Falconiformes or Strigiformes (raptors), Galliformes (quails and turkeys), Columbiformes (doves), Trochiliformes (hummingbirds), other Non-passerines, and Passeriformes; nongame mammals, bats, big game except cervids (bighorn sheep, bison, black bear, javelina, mountain lion, pronghorn), carnivores (bobcat, coati, coyote, foxes, raccoons, ringtail, skunks, and weasels) and small game


  • Wildlife Service license (provide, advertise, or offer assistance in removing live wildlife) – $245 initial, $95 renewal - 3 years
    • Limited to furbearing animals, javelina, nongame animals, predatory animals and small game


  • Zoo license (exhibit, export, euthanize, educational display, give away, import, offer for sale, possess, propagate, purchase, sell, or transport restricted and unrestricted wildlife) – $425 initial, $125 renewal - 3 years
    • Must have for principal business exhibiting AND one of the following:
      • Advancement of science or wildlife management
      • Promotion of public health or welfare
      • Public education
      • Wildlife conservation


Exemptions:

  • Domestic species (species not found in the wild except feral ones)
  • Live cervids allowed under section 430
  • desert tortoises legally owned by 1989 or their progeny or through Department adoption program up to possession limit in commission order 43
    • may not breed or export unless authorized
    • may not release
    • must gift to another resident or give to adoption program if moving out of state
    • May only export to an education or research institution or zoo 
  • licensed veterinarians (may release rehabilitated animals)
  • those transporting them through the state within 72 hours with evidence of lawful possession and health certificate if accompanied by a person and not transferred,
  • circuses, temporary animal exhibits and government authorized state/county fairs for 60 days with evidence of lawful possession and health certificate (bans physical contact with public),
  • commercial photography up to 60 days with evidence of lawful possession and health certificate (bans physical contact with public),
  • advertising other than photography for up to 10 days with evidence of lawful possession and health certificate (bans public contact, photograph sessions and paid displays),
  • those exporting wildlife within 10 days of import with evidence of lawful possession and health certificate (bans public contact and photograph sessions),
  • live wildlife taken under a fishing or hunting license, aquatic wildlife used in the aquarium trade for pets and educational displays and non-restricted mammals and herp, and rehabilitation of rodents, rabbits and hares, Columbiformes, Phasianidae and Passeriformes
  • other state or federal falconry license holders in state less than 180 days,  
  • USDA licensed medical and scientific research facilities,
  • Importer and transport of game fish or crayfish for restaurants and markets,
  • Restaurants and markets selling game fish and crayfish and blue, Mozambique, Nile, redbelly and Wami tilapia as food,
  • Transgenic animals for medical or scientific research facility
  • Possession or transport for game ranger for wildlife used as evidence in a proceeding
  • Possession or transport for captive wildlife (except cervids) for Department up to 72 hours
  • Hold cervid for Director


Requirements:


  • Comply with all laws
  • Must be 18+ except for Game Bird Field Training or Sport Falconry license
  • Permit renewals are when there are no changes to the licensed facility location, species of wildlife held or staff conducting the wildlife activities
  • Not have live wildlife privileges suspended or revoked
  • No conviction of illegally holding or possessing live wildlife in last five years
  • Has any necessary federal permit
  • Meet listed captivity standards for all permits except Aquatic Wildlife Stocking and Restocking License, Live Bait Dealer’s License, Sport Falconry License, and White Amur Stocking/Restocking License
  • Department may add stipulations to license during license period
  • Allows inspections by Department under the agency inspection procedures in ARS 41-1009
  • Records for last 5 years must be available for inspection
  • Cease operations if disease or emergency condition exists that poses an immediate public or wildlife welfare threat
  • Remedy any nonemergency conditions
  • Not violate criminal nuisance or cruelty to animals statutes
  • Submit annual report as applicable
  • License holders planning to no longer conduct activities under the license must notify Department in writing at least 30 days before which must include proposed disposition
  • 1st violation that results in nonemergency public or wildlife threat is failure to remedy
  • Applications may be denied when in the best interest of public health or safety or the welfare of the wildlife
  • Provide the following information for applications as applicable per location: applicant’s name, mailing address, telephone number (except aquatic stocking), and Department ID number; business name, mailing address and telephone number if for commercial business; common name and number per species to be sold/stocked/etc.; location owner’s name, mailing address, telephone number and physical location or general location and GPS; description or diagram of the facilities; supplier’s name, mailing address and telephone number; other required information; certification that permit not revoked or suspended


(12 Arizona Admin Code Ch. 4, Art. 4)
Authority: ARS 17-238; 17-306; 17-371




WILD TAKE OF LIVE WILDLIFE

LEGAL WITHOUT PERMIT: Export, kill, educational display, possession, propagation and transport for noncommercial purposes except live baitfish (special rules) of wildlife taken under hunting/fishing license.

BANS take for commercial purposes including offspring.

BANS releasing offspring of propagated wildlife into the wild. 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Allowed under hunting and fish license if there is a Commission order authorizing live bag and possession limit
  • Wildlife/offspring disposal limited to gift, export or Department directive
  • Exported ones and offspring for noncommercial purposes must not be bartered, leased, offered for sale, purchased, rented, sold, or used for any commercial purpose 
  • Allows temporary possession and release if not removed from area
  • Must not exceed possession limit for that species including offspring except for reptiles/amphibians under 12 months
  • Allows use of reptiles and amphibians with a current bag and possession limit for aversion or avoidance training
  • Allows selling photos of taken wildlife
  • Must follow grandfathering section if they become restricted


(AZ Admin Code 12-4-404)

 


PRIMATES

BANS all nonhuman primates. 

  • EXEMPT: those allowed under license or lawful exemption


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Comply with captivity standards
  • Import: Testing by qualified person for zoonotic disease including TB, Herpes B, SIV, Simian T Lymphotropic Virus, and gastrointestinal pathogens within 30 days before import with results submitted before import
  • Kept on owner’s private property or licensed facility
  • Transport: Must be by secure cage, crate or carrier and only for vet visits or import or export for legal purposes
  • Ones that bite/scratch humans must be tested by a vet with results sent to the Department within 24 hours and the Department of Health Services, Vector Borne and Zoonotic Disease Section within 10 days – zoos and research facilities may test their own primates according to the department
  • Primates who test positive for serious zoonotic disease or have bitten more than once must be maintained in captivity or disposed of as directed


(AZ Admin Code 12-4-426)



CERVIDS

BANS new licenses of cervids.

BANS import of cervids.

  • EXEMPT: zoo license for non-native species for exhibit, educational display or propagation if 1) quarantined 30 days, 2) from facility with disease surveillance system and certification of no CWD or other serious health risk at facility or within 50 miles, health certificate within 30 days prior and evidence of lawful possession


BANS transport of cervids.

  • EXEMPT: export, transport for slaughter within five days, vet, to owner’s other facility with permission and no transfer of ownership when current one sold or closed, non-native cervid to or from a zoo if quarantined 30 days and facility meets same requirements as for import


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must comply with the general grandfathering requirements in section 425 (except private game farm or zoo)
  • Private game farms must comply with the general requirements for carcasses and parts in section 305 when transporting a cervid carcass or parts from the game farm
  • Private game farm and zoos must comply with their relevant permit sections AND 1) microchip or tattoo live cervids within 30 days of acquisition or birth and attach an ear tag visible from 100’ that identifies the farm, 2) report deaths to department in 7 days, 3) include in annual report for native cervids: name, mailing address, phone number, number and species of cervids, microchip and tattoo number, disposition of cervids, CWD testing results for cervids 1 year+ that died during permit period, copies of veterinary records from prior year, 4) other required information
  • Private game farms, scientific activity and zoo permits and those under the grandfathering section require a vet or the department to collect the Retropharyngeal lymph nodes or obex from head of adults that die and submit to APHIS certified lab for CWD testing within 72 hours via tracked shipment with applicant’s name, address and telephone number with submission form noted that results must be sent to department in 10 days – owner is liable for costs and must notify department in 72 hours of suspect or positive result
  • Must follow USDA TB and Brucellosis eradication procedures
  • Requires the 5 year records
  • Allows department to seize, euthanize and dispose of cervids in violation


AUTHORITY:    ARS 17-238, 17-306, 17-371
(AZ Admin Code 12-4-430)





NATIVE NONGAME MAMMALS

LEGAL to take and possess in captivity without limit. 

  • EXCEPTIONS: Restricted live wildlife and protected species


(Arizona Game and Fish)

 


NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

LEGAL to take and possess under current Reptile & Amphibian Regulations   2021-2025 Regulations


  • EXCEPTIONS: Species with no open season


(Commission Order #43 Reptiles, Commission Order #41 Amphibians)





JAGUARS

BANS jaguars if removed from federal ESA

  • EXEMPT: Jaguars allowed under federal law
  • GRANDFATHER: Jaguars owned on 8/21/1997


Rest listed as no open season


(ARS 17-320)



AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES

BANS import, possession, shipping or transport of aquatic invasive species for aquariums and scientific and education institutions

  • EXEMPT: public or private aquarium and education or research institution, stock ponds or livestock water facilities or distribution facilities


LIST (9/15/18): Director’s Order 1

Snails: 

  • New Zealand mud snail
  • Apple


Fish:      

  • Bighead, black and silver carp
  • Snakehead (Channidae)


Mussels: 

  • Golden
  • Quagga
  • Zebra


Crayfish:

  • Red claw
  •  Rusty


Water Fleas: 

  • Spiny
  •  Fishhook


(ARS 17-255)



IMPORT (Department of Agriculture)

BANS importation of zoo animals

  • EXEMPT: Zoo animals for circus, show, or zoo consignee with Certificate of Veterinary Inspection


REQUIREMENTS:

  • Health certificate to import livestock, feral swine, ratite, bison, water buffalo, oxen, llama, and exotic mammals not listed as restricted live wildlife
  • Petting zoo animals need negative TB test within 12 months
  • Poultry is any exotic bird except psittacine and restricted species. 
  • Psittacine need CVI within 30 days
  • Aquatic wildlife need entry permit number within 30 days and Certificate of Aquatic Animal Health within 12 months


(3 Arizona Admin Code Ch. 2 Art. 6)


ARIZONA LAWS