Captive Wildlife

Species on the Unrestricted Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.01) can be imported, bred, or sold without a permit from AGFC. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission may have regulations that apply.

Species on the Permit Required Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.02) may only be imported into Arkansas and bred or sold in Arkansas with AGFC Wildlife Importation (Code 09.10) or Wildlife Breeder/Dealer (Code 09.07) permits. The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission may also have regulations that apply.

Species on the Prohibited Captive Wildlife Species List (Addendum R1.03) may not be imported into the state – with limited exceptions (Code 09.10) and may not be bred or sold.

Species not listed as Unrestricted (Addendum R1.01) or Permit Required (Addendum R1.02) are by default prohibited from importation, breeding, or selling. However, you may request that an unlisted species be evaluated. The Commission will conduct an evaluation of the risks relating to this species and decide how the species will be classified.

• 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 turned over to a permitted wildlife rehabilitator for release back into the wild.
• 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 Applications and Forms section of this page for the registration 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 Applications and Forms section of this page for the registration form).