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).

Releasing Native Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians kept in temporary exhibits must be released within 30 days of collection at the point of capture and 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. Naturalized reptiles and amphibians must not be released. Animals that show any sign of disease or ill health cannot 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).

Exhibitor's Permit Application

  • 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.

Threatened and Endangered Species, Scientific Collection, Salvage Permit Applications and Permit(s) Report Form and Instructions

A formal project proposal/study plan/field work plan including the purpose of your activities must accompany each Threatened and Endangered Species and Collection Permit Application. Also a resume, or other documentation, providing applicable qualifications for each person listed on the application must be submitted. No hand written applications will be accepted, all applications and other documentation must be provided electronically to collectionpermits@dgif.virginia.gov.

Report forms are due January 31.

Permit Report Form and Instructions for Download

If there was no activity conducted under your permit(s), please submit an email to collectionpermits@dgif.virginia.gov containing the following statement: "No activity under Permit # (insert your permit number[s]) during (insert the appropriate year, i.e., 2008)."

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