Collecting, Exhibiting, and Releasing Wildlife

A Guide to the Laws, Regulations, and Permits

An important element of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' (VDGIF) mission is "to manage Virginia's wildlife and inland fish to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth." One way the Department does this is by enforcing the laws, regulations, and Agency guidelines governing the collection, holding, exhibiting, and release of wildlife by issuing permits and guidelines for these activities.

Possession, importation, sale, etc. of wild animals

It is unlawful to take, possess, import, cause to be imported, export, cause to be exported, buy, sell, offer for sale, or liberate within the Commonwealth any wild animals unless otherwise specifically permitted by law or regulation. It is unlawful to destroy or molest the nest, eggs, dens, or young of any wild bird or wild animal, except nuisance species*, at any time without a permit. It is unlawful to collect animal parts, such as feathers, claws, bones, and antlers, without a permit (4 VAC 15-30-10 and §29.1-521).

  • Nuisance species: house mouse, Norway rat, black rat, coyote, feral hog, nutria, woodchuck, European starling, English (house) sparrow, and pigeon (rock dove) (4 VAC 15-20-160).

Taking aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and nongame fish for private use**

It is lawful to collect and possess live for private use** only, and not for sale, no more than 5 individuals of any non-listed species of amphibian and reptile, and no more than 20 individuals of any non-listed species of aquatic invertebrate and nongame fish (4 VAC 15-360-10). Non-listed terrestrial invertebrates may be taken in unlimited numbers for private use** only.

  • ** private use means for use in the home, not for scientific or educational purposes (which requires a permit).

Release of wildlife

Wildlife kept in temporary exhibits must be released within four weeks of collection at the point of capture. All wildlife kept in temporary exhibits should be released by September 15 to allow the animal time to prepare for hibernation. Amphibians and reptiles collected in different locations should be kept separate to prevent the spread of disease. Animals that show any sign of disease or ill health must not be released.

Threatened and endangered species

  • VDGIF adopts the federal list as well as a state list of endangered and threatened species.
  • Taking, exportation, transportation, or possession of endangered or threatened species may be permitted for zoological, educational, or scientific purposes and for propagation of such fish or wildlife in captivity for preservation purposes (§29.1-568 of the Code of Virginia).

Permits

  • Threatened and Endangered Species Permit: for any activities related to federal- or state- endangered or threatened species. One-year permit. Fee: $20.00.
  • Scientific Collection Permit: for the collection, or capture and release, of non-listed wildlife for scientific or educational purposes. Two-year permit. Fee: $40.00.
  • Salvage Permit for the collection of animals found dead for scientific or educational purposes. Three-year permit. Fee: $60.00.
  • Exhibitor's Permit: for the exhibit of live animals for educational purposes. One-year permit. Fee: $20.00 for state agencies, educational institutions, towns, etc. $50.00 for private businesses.

Permit Reports

Reports are due on January 31 of each year, even if the permit is a 2- or 3-year permit

Please save the appropriate zip file(s) below on your local drive for use in completing your report. Enter your data in the excel application, save it, and email it to CollectionPermits@dgif.virginia.gov.

The following report links are temporarily unavailable:

  • Vertebrate Report and Instructions
  • Invertebrate Report and Instructions

Each ZIP file contains two files:

  • a PDF document that contains instructions on using the Collection Report, and
  • a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet template for reporting collections.

These files must be uncompressed using WinZip or similar utility. If you do not have WinZip, you may obtain a free evaluation version from their Web site.

To read the instructions, you must have a recent version of Adobe Reader. If you do not, you may obtain it for free from Adobe's Web site.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT YOUR REPORT!

Questions, problems, and feedback are welcome; please submit these to Shirl Dressler at CollectionPermits@dgif.virginia.gov.

For more information about the topics covered here, please contact:

Shirl Dressler, Secretary Senior
Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
4010 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-367-6913
Email: CollectionPermits@dgif.virginia.gov