Current through August 26, 2024
(1) DEFINITIONS.
(a) "Captivity" or "captive" means the state
of confinement within a fence, pen, cage, house or similar enclosure.
(b) "Captive game farm birds and mammals"
means birds and mammals which were propagated in captivity.
(c) "Wildlife" means birds and mammals which
have inhabited and were propagated in a natural environment.
(2) GENERAL.
(a) Authorized activities involving captive
wildlife result in recreational, educational and economic benefits. The
department, when feasible, will establish joint permit systems with other
agencies having jurisdiction of the protected wildlife.
(b) Permits authorizing possession of captive
wildlife or captive game farm birds and mammals shall be denied or revoked upon
a showing that such possession results in care practices which are not humane,
adequate or sanitary.
(c) The
department may receive confiscated wildlife and shall render care consistent
with standards and guidelines established for captive, protected
wildlife.
(3)
REHABILITATION.
(a) First aid and temporary
care administered to orphaned, injured or confiscated wildlife may provide
important benefits to the scientific community through knowledge gained during
such treatment as well as benefit the wildlife being treated.
(b) Necessary standards for facilities and
care shall be established to assure proper care and confinement.
(c) Skunks may not be held under this permit
authority.
(d) Wildlife may be
destroyed by the department or permittees when there is no hope of successful
release to the wild or for cost free use for falconry, wildlife exhibits,
propagation, zoos or educational institutions.
(e) The department may not actively engage in
a rehabilitation program but provide coordination of referrals to authorized
rehabilitators. The department may continue to provide care for confiscated
wildlife.
(4) FALCONRY.
(a) The use of certain species of raptors for
the pursuit and capture of wild animals is a legitimate use of a natural
resource which requires skill and dedication on that part of the user and may
yield important biological, ecological and other scientific knowledge of
predatory birds.
(b) Because of the
complexities of the sport, permit applicants will be tested for their knowledge
of basic biology, raptor care, literature, laws, and regulations.
(c) Special hunting seasons may be
established within the biological limits of the wildlife species to provide
recreational opportunities.
(d)
When the security of any wild population of raptor is in doubt or in jeopardy,
the department shall prohibit the use of wild-trapped birds of that species for
falconry.
(e) The use of raptors
hatched, raised or rehabilitated in captivity will be encouraged for falconry
to reduce the use of wild raptors.
(f) The department will encourage educational
efforts to improve the public's knowledge of raptors and monitor the program,
particularly regarding the health, care, taking and transfer of
raptors.
(5) WILDLIFE
EXHIBITS.
(a) The use of game farm birds and
mammals or wildlife which cannot be released to the wild for advertising or
exhibition purposes serves the public interest when the public's general
knowledge of wildlife is increased by such use.
(b) Standards for facilities and care shall
be reviewed by the department to insure humane and sanitary treatment of
captive birds and mammals and compliance with the animal welfare act of 1966
(P.L.), as amended.
(c) No
exhibited bird or mammal may be released to the wild. Further precaution shall
be taken to minimize contact between captive and free-roaming
wildlife.
(6)
PROPAGATION.
(a) Use of propagated game
birds, game mammals and raptors contributes to the satisfaction of public
demands by providing an alternative to the complete reliance upon wildlife
populations. Habitat components beneficial to the survival of wild populations
may be protected by private citizens participating in these programs.
(b) The department shall provide housing
guidelines and each permittee shall implement control measures which minimize
disease and potential threats to wildlife.
(c) The department may authorize the periodic
taking of wildlife for breeding purposes.
(7) ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES. Birds
and mammals on the Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list, s.
NR 27.03, may be acquired and possessed only by persons
possessing a Wisconsin endangered species permit issued under s.
29.604(6),
Stats.
(8) SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION
AND RESEARCH. Except as provided by specific rule or law, all protected wild
animals, alive or dead, not listed as endangered or threatened species may be
acquired and possessed only by persons possessing the appropriate scientific
collectors permit issued under s.
29.614,
Stats., or scientific research license issued under s.
169.25,
Stats. The permits or licenses shall be issued only if the use of the wild
animal provides useful scientific knowledge or educational opportunities in the
natural sciences consistent with s.
NR 19.11.
(9)
VETERINARIANS. Licensed veterinarians providing emergency treatment of wildlife
or game farm birds and mammals shall not be required to possess additional
department permits.
(10) TEMPORARY
POSSESSION. Wildlife is often obtained by citizens attempting to rescue sick,
injured or orphaned birds and mammals. Such person shall notify a conservation
warden within 24 hours and advise of such possession.
(11) DOG TRIALS AND DOG TRAINING. The use of
captive game farm birds and mammals for dog trial and training activities is
consistent with sound resource management principles and provides opportunities
for hunters to improve their dog handling skills and the dog's performance
during periods closed to hunting.
