Here is the response I got from the CA Dept. of Fish and Game regarding the question of whether a license is required just to own or "possess" native herps in California. It verifies that a license is NOT required to keep up to the legal limit of native reptiles in your home. You may want to save a copy of the letter in case you ever run into a situation where there is any doubt--I know I plan to keep it on file.

Thanks,

Angus

Here's the letter I got:

Angus;

Our license requirements are:

Anyone 16 years of age and older must have a fishing license to take
any kind of fish, mollusk, invertebrate, amphibian or crustacean in
California, except for persons angling from a public pier in ocean or
bay waters. A license is required to take reptiles, except for
rattlesnakes. The exveption is on free fishing days when a license is
not required.

Take is defined as "Hunt, pursue, catch, capture or kill fish,
amphibians, reptiles, mollusks, crustaceans or invertebrates or
attempting to do so." However, you are not required to possess a fishing
license to have a legally taken limit of fish or reptiles in your home.



Dennis P. Lee, Supervising Biologist
Fisheries Programs Branch
California Department of Fish and Game
1701 Nimbus Road, Suite C
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Field Station (916) 358-2833
FAX (916) 358-2857
Cellular (916) 952-6915
dlee@dfg.ca.gov

[ Hide Replies ]

• Herping in Southern California: chuckwallas esp. - angusblack, Wed Sep 14 13:41:58 2005
• So let me get this straight..... - chrish, Thu Sep 15 15:55:24 2005
• In Addition. . . - chris_mcmartin, Thu Sep 15 16:05:35 2005
• RE: In Addition. . . - EJ, Fri Sep 16 05:37:07 2005
• RE: In Addition. . . - chris_mcmartin, Fri Sep 16 16:53:56 2005
• You have my most humble appology... - EJ, Fri Sep 16 17:06:25 2005
• btw... - EJ, Fri Sep 16 17:08:09 2005
• ....: In Addition. . . - regalringneck, Fri Sep 16 22:34:57 2005
• RE: In Addition. . . - antelope, Fri Sep 16 12:32:58 2005
• RE: So let me get this straight..... - angusblack, Thu Sep 15 16:49:31 2005
• The license won't do you any good... - herper, Sat Sep 17 00:24:25 2005
• RE: The license won't do you any good... - angusblack, Sat Sep 17 00:49:26 2005
• RE: The license won't do you any good... - chris_mcmartin, Sat Sep 17 09:29:07 2005
• CA Law Discussion - chris_mcmartin, Sat Sep 17 09:32:00 2005
• RE: The license won't do you any good... - angusblack, Sat Sep 17 10:43:34 2005
• Response from CA Dept. of Fish & Game re: license requirements - angusblack, Mon Sep 19 12:37:27 2005
• RE: The license won't do you any good... - metalpest, Thu Sep 29 14:25:54 2005
• Your asking for alot....... - sharrack, Thu Sep 15 17:50:47 2005
• RE: Your asking for alot....... - angusblack, Sat Sep 17 00:25:23 2005
• RE: Herping in Southern California: chuckwallas esp. - SNAKEPIT24, Thu Sep 15 18:14:42 2005
• RE: Herping in Southern California: chuckwallas esp. - rjhilo, Thu Sep 15 18:27:27 2005