State permit policies & procedures

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Arizona

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Scientific Collecting Permits Administrator
Arizona Game & Fish Department
5000 W. Carefree Hwy
Phoenix, AZ 85086
Phone (623) 236-7625
Fax (623) 236-7939
E-mail: scpermits_AT_azgfd.gov

Is a permit required for banding?

Yes.

The application specifically includes capture/release and the regulation (below) specifically includes capture and release:

3. A scientific collecting permit holder shall dispose of wildlife as follows:

a. If the wildlife was not removed from the area where it was taken, by releasing it;
b. If the wildlife was removed from the area where it was taken, by releasing the wildlife

Permit application forms

• Application Form - both parts required:
  Arizona application form, Part 1 - download here
  Arizona application form, Part 2 - download here
• Renewal - none
  
• Threatened and Endangered - no separate permit
  
• Salvage - If requested

State lands

Prior notice

Policies

R12-4-418. Scientific Collecting Permit

A. A scientific collecting permit allows an individual to take, possess, transport, photograph for noncommercial purposes, and display for educational purposes the live wildlife specified on the permit, subject to the conditions specified in subsection (B). A permit holder shall not exhibit wildlife held under the permit. The Department shall issue a scientific collecting permit only if:

1. The permit is for the purpose of wildlife management; gathering information valuable to the maintenance of wild populations; education; the advancement of science; or promotion of the public health or welfare;

2. The permit is for a purpose that is in the best interest of the wildlife or the species, will not adversely impact other affected wildlife in this state, and may be authorized without posing a threat to wildlife or public safety;

3. The permit is for a purpose that does not unnecessarily duplicate previously documented projects; and

4. The applicant has submitted an acceptable typewritten, computer or word processor printed, or legibly handwritten project proposal as part of the application form required in subsection (C).

B. Scientific collecting permits are subject to the following conditions:

1. A scientific collecting permit holder shall only take wildlife under the permit using the least onerous, practical method possible, and shall:

a. Take wildlife at the locations and time periods specified on the permit by any method prescribed by R12-4-304 or R12-4-313;
b. Not take wildlife by using a stupefying or deleterious substance, electroshock, pitfall trap, leghold trap, snare, or net unless specifically authorized on the permit; and
c. Not take wildlife at night by using a firearm unless authorized by the permit.

2. If it is in the best interest of the wildlife or public safety, the Department has the authority to:

a. Rescind or modify any method of take authorized by the permit;
b. Restrict the number of animals per species or other taxa that may be taken under the permit;
c. Restrict the age or condition of wildlife that may be taken under the permit;
d. Deny or substitute the number of specimens and taxa requested on an application.

3. A scientific collecting permit holder shall dispose of wildlife as follows:

a. If the wildlife was not removed from the area where it was taken, by releasing it;
b. If the wildlife was removed from the area where it was taken, by releasing the wildlife in a location previously approved by the Department; or
c. As otherwise stipulated or directed in writing by the Department.

4. Wildlife, its parts, or its offspring obtained or held under the authority of the license shall not be sold, offered for sale, traded, bartered, loaned for the purpose of commercial activities, given as a gift, or disposed of in any way except as stipulated or directed in writing by the Department.

C. An applicant for a scientific collecting permit shall apply on a form provided by the Department and available from any Department office, and shall return a completed form to the Department's Phoenix Headquarters. The applicant shall provide the following information:

1. Name, address, telephone number, birthdate, physical description, and if applicable, Department ID number;

2. If the applicant will use the wildlife for a commercial purpose, the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant's business;

3. If the applicant will use wildlife for activities authorized by a scientific, educational, or government institution, organization, or agency that employs, contracts, or is similarly affiliated with the applicant, the applicant shall provide the name, address, and telephone number of the institution and the applicant's title or a description of the nature of affiliation with the institution or organization;

4. A typewritten, computer or word processor printed, or legibly handwritten proposal, not to exceed three pages, that states:

a. The activity that the applicant intends to perform under the license, and clearly states the contribution the proposed activity will make to one or more of the purposes specified in subsection (A)(1) above:
b. If the applicant is applying for a permit to make a contribution to education, the applicant shall also state in the proposal the minimum number of presentations that the applicant anticipates to make during the period that the permit is valid; the name, title, address, and telephone number of individuals whom the applicant has contacted in order to hold educational presentations; and if applicable, the number of specimens of the species requested that the applicant already possesses.
c. The applicant's qualifications for completing the project;
d. The methods of take that the applicant will use to complete the project, justification for using that method, and whether the applicant proposes to:
i. Salvage specimens found dead;
ii. Collect specimens alive and keep them;
iii. Collect specimens by killing them; or
iv. Collect specimens alive at the site where taken without transporting them from that site after photographing, banding, or marking them with rings, collars, brands or other markings;

e. The wildlife species and the number of animals per species that will be used under the license. If the application is for use of multiple species or wildlife of a higher taxon, the applicant shall list each species and the number of animals per species;
f. The location where collection will take place;
g. How the applicant will dispose of wildlife or offspring of wildlife, if applicable, as prescribed by subsection (B)(3);
h. The names and addresses of any agents who will assist the applicant in carrying out the activities described in the proposal. An applicant may request that one or more individuals be authorized to act as an agent on the applicant's behalf, provided that:
i. An employment or supervisory relationship exists between the applicant and the agent, and
ii. The agent's privilege to take or possess live wildlife is not suspended or revoked by any state.

i. A schedule of activities and the completion date of the project; and
j. Whether the applicant intends to publish the project or its findings;

5. If the applicant is renewing the wildlife holding license, the species and number of animals per species that are currently in captivity, and evidence of lawful possession as defined in R12-4-401;

6. A statement of the applicant's experience in handling and providing care for the wildlife to be held or of the applicant's experience that may be relevant to handling or providing care for wildlife;
7. The name, address, and telephone number of the location where the wildlife will be held, if applicable. Otherwise, the applicant shall provide the physical location including township, range, and section. If the applicant applies to hold wildlife in more than one location, the applicant shall submit a separate application for each location;
8. A detailed description or diagram of the facilities where the applicant will hold the wildlife, and a description of how the facilities comply with R12-4-428, and any other captivity standards that may be prescribed by this Section;
9. The applicant's signature and the date of signing. By signing the application, the applicant attests that the information they have provided is true and correct to their knowledge and that the applicant's live wildlife privileges are not revoked in this state, any other state, or by the United States.

D. The Department shall issue a scientific collecting permit in compliance with R12-4-106. If the Department denies the application for a special license, the Department shall proceed as prescribed by R12-4-409(D).
E. Before January 31 of each year or as otherwise required by R12-4-409(O), a scientific collecting permit holder shall file a written report on activities performed under the license for the previous calendar year. A scientific collecting permit holder shall submit an annual report on a form containing the information prescribed by R12-4-409(O). The Department may stipulate submission of additional interim reports upon license application or renewal.
F. An agent of a scientific collecting permit holder is subject to stipulations placed on the applicant's permit at the time of application. The permit holder is responsible for acts of the agents that fall within the authority of this Section. The Department, acting on behalf of the Commission, may suspend or revoke a permit for violation of this Section by an agent.
G. A scientific collecting permit holder and the permit holder's agents shall have the permit or a legible copy in their possession and available for Department inspection while conducting activities authorized under the scientific collecting permit.
H. A scientific collecting permit holder may at any time during the license period make a written request to amend the permit to add or delete agents meeting the criteria in subsection (B)(4)(h).
I. A scientific collecting permit holder shall notify the Department in writing within 10 calendar days of terminating any agent.