ARKANSAS LIVE WILDLIFE PERMITS

WILDLIFE BREEDERS/DEALERS PERMIT

 

PERMIT to rear, breed, propagate, produce, distribute, sell, or offer for sale any wildlife. 


BANS wildlife breeder/dealer permits for prohibited captive wildlife species in R1.03.

EXCEPTIONS:


  • Fish, bullfrogs, mussels, aquatic turtles and alligators under in compliance with the Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit, bullfrog, commercial fishing, freshwater mussel, baitfish, alligator farmer, aquatic turtle and fish farmer regulations


  • Legally trapped red fox, gray fox and coyote sold under Live Fox and Coyote Permit


  •  AZA


  • USFWS Raptor Propagation Permit holders for raptors


  • Game Bird Shooting Resort Permits holders unless actively engaged in activities


  •  Unrestricted wildlife in R1.01


  • Falconry Permit activities


  • Terrestrial invertebrate species not otherwise prohibited


  •  Registered sales of up to 20/year permitted wildlife (except large carnivores, mountain lions, primates, Cervids and blackbuck antelope, black-tailed prairie dogs, capybara, nilgai, aoudad sheep, kudu, lechwe, ibex, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, hippopotamus, warthog, Family Salamandridae, large Asian and African Pythons, and rhinoceros) acquired from Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit or imported


  • Facilities permitted for blackbuck antelope and black-tailed prairie dogs before 2/20/2019


  • Facilities permitted for capybara, nilgai, Aoudad sheep, oryx, kudu, lexhwe, ibex, jaguar, leopard, snow leopard, hippo, warthog, rhino, Family Salamandridae and large Asian and African pythons (reticulated python, Burmese python, Indian python, African rock python) before 5/21/2020



REQUIREMENTS: 


  • 18+


  • NO conviction of, guilty plea or nolo contendere for violating law governing captive wildlife, illegal commercialization of wildlife, or animal cruelty within five years


  • Written proof from county judge or sheriff and municipal planning commission/board of compliance with local ordinances


  • Allows slaughter under domestic livestock practices


  • Permanent deer-proof fence 8’+ tall for big game animals


  • Waterfowl hatched at facility need seamless metal band


  • R1.03 species may only be sold to other resident licensees or out-of-state except cervids may be sold to Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort Permit


  • Live bobwhite quail sold to residents without Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit or Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit must be banded


  • Records of acquisitions and dispositions and sales while keeping animals


  • Quarterly report of inventory, births, deaths, sales, purchases of wildlife or out-of-state wildlife returned less than 30 days


  • Stock must come from Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit or import


  • Must report escapes to Commission within 24 hours


  • Have procedures for control of diseases and parasites and meet Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission requirements


  • Facilities with cervids or large carnivores that do not have them for 1 year may not renew 


  • Facilities with no R1.03 prohibited species for a year will be banned from having them


Regulations can be found in Addendum F1.03. 


(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.07)




SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION PERMIT


Scientific Collection Permit is required for collecting wildlife for scientific study. 

(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.09)




WILDLIFE IMPORTATION PERMIT

PERMIT required to import live wildlife.


  • EXEMPT:
    •  Aquatic wildlife that complies with 35.09 – must not release
      • EXCLUDES: native aquatic turtles, alligators, and 26.13 prohibited aquatic species
    • Commission wildlife exchange
    • AZA
    • Non-Resident Arkansas Hunting License for raptors for hunting up to 30 days
    • Arkansas Hunting License and Arkansas falconry permit for raptors - Must follow Livestock and Poultry import rules
    • Circuses and USDA Exhibitors temporarily for performance or display under special permit
    • R1.01 unrestricted wildlife  
    • Terrestrial invertebrate species not otherwise prohibited
    • Resident returning wildlife to state within 30 days
    • Transport through the state within 12 hours if it remains confined and is not exhibited


BANS import of R1.03 prohibited wildlife


  • EXEMPT:
    • Commission wildlife exchange
    • Temporarily for scientific, conservation, or educational purposes permit
    • USDA Exhibitor for large carnivores and mountain lions
    • Mallards for field trials or Shoot-To-Kill Retrieving Dog Training Permit under listed conditions
    • Intrastate movement except cervids with USDA VS-127 Restricted Movement Document
    • Intrastate movement of cervids upon notifying Wildlife Management Division
    • Apes, baboons, and macaques as allowed under that law
    • AZA


  • LEGAL WITH IMPORT PERMIT: mountain lions and large carnivores by USDA exhibitors, those with USDA restricted movement document, and apes, baboons and macaques by those authorized under that law


REQUIREMENTS: 


  • Must be in healthy and humane condition
  • 18+
  • NO conviction of, guilty plea or nolo contendere for violating law governing captive wildlife, illegal commercialization of wildlife, or animal cruelty within five years
  • Written proof of origin and destinations
  • Documentation that import is not restricted  
  • Certificate of veterinary inspection except reentry within 30 days
  • Meet caging requirements for venomous reptiles temporarily imported for exhibition
  • Submit documentation above to Wildlife Management Division within 7 days of import
  • Brindled gnu must test negative for Alcelaphine herpesvirus-1 by virus neutralization within 30 days
  • Venomous reptiles temporarily imported for exhibition must meet venomous reptile possession permit caging and facility requirements
  • Birds from NPIP flock may submit proof of participation to meet testing requirements
  •  Must be kept in enclosure, pen or cage strong enough to prevent escape or injury and prevent contact with native wildlife


Requirements for Wildlife Importation Permits can be found in Addendum F1.04.   

(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.10 & 09.11)



WILDLIFE REHABILITATION PERMIT


PERMIT required to take or possess sick, injured, orphaned, or impaired native wildlife, except migratory birds, for rehabilitation

BANS cervids and black bears  

BANS hunting, breeding or displaying such wildlife

BANS keeping native wild animals as personal pets except for routine care or specific authorization

  • EXEMPT: Veterinarians treating or euthanizing that give to rehabilitator within 72 hours of stabilization


REQUIREMENTS: 


  • 18+


  •  NO conviction of, guilty plea or nolo contendere for violating law governing captive wildlife, illegal commercialization of wildlife, or animal cruelty within five years


  • State resident


  • Written proof from county judge or sheriff and municipal planning commission/board of compliance with local ordinances


  • Signature, address and phone number of veterinarian assisting


  • General Class experience: 1) written documentation of 2 years of experience under Apprentice Class Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit (dates, locations, reference, courses, etc.), 2) equivalent rehabilitation permit in last five years, or 3) certified by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council with their course completion and letter of recommendation from general class or veterinarian


  • Apprentice Class must have General Class sponsor


  • Must be kept at permit location except temporary vet care


  • Apprentice class limited to 20 baby opossums or 6 other animals at a time


  • Release must be in or near the county in which it was captured and not in any city or town AND native release requires landowner permission


  • Non-releasable wildlife must be euthanized under “Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation” or transferred to Conservation Education Permit


  • Allows routine care and basic first aid but rest should be given under the direction of a vet


  • Deceased animals not due to disease must be disposed of under law or sent to museum, university, or other educational facility


  • Diseased animals must be reported to Commission within 48 hours


  • Endangered or threatened species require notifying Wildlife Management Division within 48 hours of receipt
  • Prohibits issuing fee except veterinarian fee


  • Prohibits representing as agents of the Commission


  • Comply with the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council/National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association’s “Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation”


  • Maintain log of each animal and annual report
    • requires name and address of any person relinquishing animal for rehabilitation


  • Meet “Basic Requirements for Housing Wild Animals and Minimum Housing Guidelines”


Requirements for Wildlife Rehabilitation Permits can be found in Addendum F1.05.  Permanently, physically impaired animals may be transferred to a Conservation Education Permit holder if approved by Chief of Wildlife Management. 


(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.12)





FALCONRY PERMIT

NEW Replaces entire section


PERMIT required to possess, take or transport raptors or to use them for taking game. 

  • EXEMPT: non-residents with own state license and hunting license or those with a USFWS Special Purpose Abatement Permit 


Falconry Permit requirements can be found in Addendum F1.07.


(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.15)




LIVE FOX/COYOTE PERMIT

Need Live Fox and Coyote Permit for sales of red and grey foxes and coyotes taken from the wild.  Permits are limited to 30 days per animal and sales to foxpens for Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort Permit holders.

(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.16)




VENOMOUS REPTILE PERMIT


PERMIT required to possess medically significant venomous reptile after 7/1/2021


BANS R1.03 prohibited wildlife


  • EXEMPT::  
    • Transport through with Wildlife Importation Permit
    • Native wildlife pets
    • AZA
    • Scientific Collection Permit
    • Conservation Education Permit


REQUIREMENTS:


  • 18+
  • NO conviction of, guilty plea or nolo contendere for violating law governing captive wildlife, illegal commercialization of wildlife, or animal cruelty within five years
  • Written proof from county judge or sheriff and municipal planning commission/board of compliance with local ordinances
  • Caging and facilities: secured, rooms and free-standing structures locked and escape-proof or closed when in use, “Warning: Venomous Reptiles.” on entry doorways, labels with “Venomous Reptile”, common and scientific name and numbers on permanent exhibits
  • Detailed safety plan for permanent public exhibit
  • Temporary displays of native species alternative: 1) keyed or combination locked enclosures, 2) open-topped exhibition areas if 2 complete physical barriers at least 3’ away with “Venomous Reptile” sign, permittee or a trained representative on-site always or kept in locked containers or rooms with manifest, 4) detailed safety plan
  • Maintain records
  • On 7/1/2020, only acquire from Wildlife Breeder/Dealer, import or hand catch from the wild
  • Transport requires secure ventilated escape-proof containers
  • Must be kept in humane and healthy conditions


(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.17)



CONSERVATION EDUCATION PERMIT

PERMIT required to possess than 6 wild-caught animals for education


  • LIMITED TO: bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel and nongame other than birds, bats, alligator snapping turtles, ornate box turtles, hellbenders, Ouachita streambed salamanders, collared lizards, troglodytic species (cave dwellers) or endangered species


BANS export including offspring

BANS sale, transfer and breeding including offspring

  • EXEMPT: 
    • USFWS Migratory Bird Permit educational program only with avian species 
    • Export when moving to another state under permit
    • Temporary export for conservation education programs or veterinary care
    • Transfer to rehabilitator for release


REQUIREMENTS:

  • 18+
  • NO conviction of, guilty plea or nolo contendere for violating law governing captive wildlife, illegal commercialization of wildlife, or animal cruelty within five years
  • Written proof from county judge or sheriff and municipal planning commission/board of compliance with local ordinances
  • Minimum of 20 hours conservation education experience with live animals AND letters of support from 2 non-familial people familiar with such experience
  • Proof of USDA Wildlife Exhibition Permit
  • Kept in sufficiently strong enclosures (native medically significant venomous reptiles kept under that law)
  • Native medically significant venomous reptiles must be kept under that law
  • Kept in healthy and humane conditions
  • Males and females kept separate 
  • Annual reports including 20 hours of conservation education to the public
  • Transport must be in ventilated containers/cages sufficiently strong to prevent escape
  • Native medically significant venomous reptiles transport must be in secure ventilated escape-proof containers labeled “Caution: Venomous Reptiles”
  • Allows receiving animals from Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit
  •  If not renewed, must transfer animals to another permit holder or euthanize before expiration other than what is allowed under 9.14(A) native wildlife pets
  • Must allow inspections at reasonable hours AND restrain or put in suitable pen if requested AND allows immediate removal if cared for improperly or kept in inhumane or unhealthy conditions


Requirements for Conservation Education Permits can be found in Addendum F1.09. 


(Arkansas Game and Fish Code § 09.18)