Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm curious if anyone has first hand knowledge of the process involved in obtaining a permit to have and/or breed gopher snakes native in CA.

I've gone through it with Del Alspaw when he got his permit. Shoot me an email (parks38@juno.com) if you have any questions and/or intend to apply for one. The first thing, even if you end up not applying, is to request an application and include any associated information concerning Native Reptiles and Amphibians for California. Along with the application, we received a copy of the California Regulations for Reptiles and Amphibians and a few other information bulletins. It's misleading, but the pamphlet for regulations for Sport Fishing and Freshwater Fishing that the California Fish and Game puts out each year doesn't have all the Reptile and Amphibian regulations in it or is a shortened version and is ambiguous. The department that handles and issues permits is a separate department from the fishing regulatons department within The California Fish and Game. I have the email address (if you'd like) of one of the persons who handles reveiewing and approving the permits and will answer any questions you might have in filling it out. You can probably email her the request for the application and information to go with it to get it quicker. I just sent a letter to the department and requested it so it took about 8 or 9 days.

Terry Parks