Captive Wildlife

• Wildlife Importation Permit Application
• Bringing Captive Wildlife into Arkansas Fact Sheet
• Instructions for WTP Permit Holders

Important Links:

• Code 09.10
• Addendum F1.04

Are you importing a primate into the state? See the following:

• Primate Regulations in Arkansas

Do you have a venomous reptile for exhibition? See the following:

• Venomous Reptile Safety Plan

• Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit Application
• Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Instructions and Form

Important Links:

• Code 09.07
• Addendum F1.03

Want to breed or sell game birds? View the Game Bird Fact Sheet.

• Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit Application
• Game Bird Fact Sheet
• Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit Reporting Form

Important Links:

• Code 09.06
• Addendum F1.02

• Shoot-to-Kill Dog Training Permit Application
• Game Bird Fact Sheet

Important Links:

• Code 09.08
• Addendum F1.06

• Venomous Reptile Possession Permit Application
• Venomous Reptile Possession Fact Sheet
• Venomous Reptile Possession Permit Instructions and Reporting Form

Important Links:

• Code 09.17
• Addendum F1.08

• Conservation Education Permit Application
• Conservation Education Permit Annual Report Form

Important Links:

• Code 09.17
• Code 09.18
• Addendum F1.08
• Addendum F1.10

Planning to exhibit native venomous snakes? A completed venomous reptile safety plan is required.

• Commercial Hunting Resort Permit Application
• Commercial Hunting Resort Permit Report Form

Important Links:

• Code 09.09
• Addendum F1.09

• Scientific Collection Permit Application
• Scientific Collection Permits Page

Important Links:

• Code 09.09
• Addendum F1.09

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Page

Important Links:

• Code 09.12
• Addendum F1.09

• Please see Code 9.14(A) for complete regulations.
• Up to six individual animals from the following list and taken by hand from the wild may be kept per household:
  • Opossums, rabbits, raccoons or squirrels.
  • Hand-captured native non-game wildlife other than birds, bats, alligator snapping turtles, ornate box turtles, hellbenders, Ouachita streambed salamanders, collared lizards, troglodytic species (cave dwellers), or those animals defined as endangered species.
  • Deer captured by hand prior to July 1, 2012.
  • Bobcat, coyote, gray fox, and red fox captured by hand prior to July 1, 2022.
• Once taken, the animal must remain in the owner’s custody, except pets (other than white-tailed deer) may be transferred to a Conservation Education or Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit holder.
• Males and females must be kept in separate pens unless they have been neutered to prevent reproduction.
• All wildlife kept as pets must be kept in enclosures that keep them from escaping and keep other wildlife from entering.
• These animals may not be sold or transferred to a different owner and may only be taken from the state with the permission of the Chief of Wildlife Management.

• Please see Code 9.14(B) for complete regulations.
• Individuals may purchase and own up to six per household of captive-born, commercially obtained native wildlife species as personal pets. There are restrictions on certain species (see Addendum R1.03). If you wish to possess more than 6 then you must obtain a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit.
• Animals must have been purchased from a Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealer, brought into Arkansas with a Wildlife Importation Permit, or purchased from a legal owner that registered the sale with the Commission.
• Owners must have proof of legal ownership.
• Males and females must be kept in separate pens unless they have been neutered to prevent reproduction.
• Medically significant venomous reptiles must be kept in accordance with caging and transportation requirements (see Addendum F1.08).
• Although breeding of pets held under this regulation is illegal, owners may sell up to 20 individual animals per calendar year without obtaining a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer permit. Such sales need to be registered with the Commission (see Registration and Forms section of this page for form).

• Many species that are not native to Arkansas may be kept as personal pets. Please see Code 9.02 for complete regulations.
• Animals must have been purchased from a Commission-permitted Wildlife Breeder/Dealer, brought into Arkansas with a Wildlife Importation Permit, or purchased from a legal owner that registered the sale with the Commission. This does not apply if the animal is listed on the Unrestricted Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.01).
• Males and females must be kept in separate pens unless they have been neutered to prevent reproduction.
• There are limitations on ownership of certain exotics including mountain lions, large carnivores, primates, and other species (see Code 9.02 and Addendum R1.03).
• A Venomous Reptile Possession Permit (Code 09.17) is required to keep medically significant venomous reptiles (see Addendum R1.02). Other permits may apply. 
• No permits are required for importation, breeding, or selling of species on the Unrestricted Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.01).
• A Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit (Code 09.07) is required to breed and a Wildlife Importation Permit (Code 09.10)  is required to import any wildlife listed on the Permit Required Captive Wildlife Species List. 
• Owners of species on the Permit Required Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.02) may sell up to 20 individual animals per calendar year without obtaining a Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit, however, all such sales must be registered with the Commission (see Registration and Forms section of this page for the form).

• Wildlife may not be released into the wild without prior approval of the AGFC with these exceptions (Code 09.03):
  • Captive-raised northern bobwhite, ring-necked pheasant, and chukar may be released in compliance with a Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit (Code 09.06). 
  • Captive-reared mallards, northern bobwhite, chukar and ring-necked pheasant may be released for sanctioned field trials upon approval from the Chief of Wildlife Management. Click here to fill out a Field Trial Authorization Request.
  • A Shoot-to-Kill Dog Training Permit (Code 09.08) may be acquired to release bobwhite, chukar, mallards, or ring-necked pheasants for the purposes of bird dog or retrieving dog training. 
  • A licensed wildlife rehabilitator may release native wildlife other than mountain lions (Code 09.12).
  • In accordance with a falconry permit (Code 09.15). 
  • Landowners and nuisance wildlife control operators may livetrap nuisance wildlife outside the legal harvest season and release to the wild. Traps must be marked with the user’s identification (Code 05.10).

• Primate species are classified as either “Permit Required” or “Prohibited” 
  • Permit Required: Species include, but are not limited to, capuchin monkeys, marmosets, ring-tailed lemurs, owl monkeys, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, tamarins, and vervets (see Addendum R1.02).
  • Prohibited: Species include apes, baboons, and macaques (see Addendum R1.03). Some exceptions apply for veterinary care.
• Importation of Primates
  • Bringing a primate into the state requires a Wildlife Importation Permit and a Certified Veterinary Inspection (prior to entry into the state).
• Housing
  • Animals must be kept in enclosures that prevent escape, protect against injury, and prevent contact with native wildlife.
• Legal Restrictions and Requirements
  • Breeding, selling, or distributing primates is prohibited. 
  • Tethering primates outdoors or allowing them to run at-large is unlawful.
  • Keeping a primate in a manner that threatens public safety or animal welfare is illegal. 
  • Direct contact between the public and primates is restricted.
  • Primates must be registered with the county sheriff within 30 days of acquisition, and any changes in registration must be reported. 
  • Zoonotic disease exposure (including bites) must be reported to the Department of Health within 24 hours. 
  • Escapes or releases must be immediately reported to law enforcement and the AGFC, with the owner liable for recapture costs.
  • Other regulations and statutes apply:
    • The Arkansas Legislature passed a law specifically regulating primates in Arkansas in Title 20 Chapter 19 Subchapter 601 – 610.
    • The Animal Health Division of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture has additional requirements on importation. 
• More information on primate and importation regulations can be found in the Fact Sheet section above and in AGFC Code 09.00 and Addendum F1.00.