>>Aren't muscovies considered domestic ducks? Aren't domestic animals under the authority of the usda as opposed to the fws?

The problem is the wild ones that moved themselves up from Mexico, and the feral ones that escape all over the country.

In the discussion over the rule at the FWS site, the FWS said (amongst other things): "We intend to disallow private possession of muscovy ducks, except to raise them to be sold as food (which has been ongoing for years)."

Not just an import ban. Not just a ban on transport. They were trying to ban all private ownership -- unless you were selling them to eat!

And yes, the argument about them being domesticated is exactly what the APA took to the FWS, at least in part. It was ludicrous for them to try to ban ownership of a species that has been domesticated for **500 YEARS**.

>> aren;t they covered under the whole migratory bird thing?

The "whole migratory bird thing" is what got the muscovies into trouble in the first place. Muscovies weren't "protected" by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act until the wild muscovies moved into TX. Then they became protected as a native bird species. And in nearly all cases (with just a few exceptions), individuals aren't allowed to own protected native species.

>>there must be some sort of distinction between the mallards in the wild and the ones you buy.

Yes, but the distinction gets complicated with game birds like mallards. I don't *think* Muscovies are hunted, so they would probably not count as game.
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0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
0.3 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

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