At a recent convention, someone told me they had a stuffed snow owl. Is this legal for them to have?
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
I'm always mounting endangered and protected species for qualified agencies. IF I competed and wanted to use on, all I'd need to do is keep the required documentation with the piece at the show. Now I'd be VERY VERY careful in transporting the mount across state lines. I'd make doubly sure it was authorized.
What is involved with required documentation?
I have a signed letter on official office letterhead of the local, state, or federal agency I'm doing the work for. If it's an authorized school, it's signed by the superintendent. It states that I, and I alone, am authorized to perform the necessary procedures to mount the specimen and that I may use it temporarily for reference pictures of my work or any other display temporarily. The letter states that once this work is complete, the specimen will be immediately returned to the authorizing agent. I always copies of the letters and scribe the day and date the specimen arrived as well as when the specimen was returned to the owning agency. I keep them for 5 years minimum.
in Canada any one can have a mounted bird of prey , as long as they get a Certificate of Reporting Game from their local fish & wildlife office.
The bird is x-rayed to see if it was shot ( road kill , natural death)
The bird goes to a taxidermist with the permit , after the bird is mounted and the client comes to pick it up , the permit is returned with the bird.
No birds of prey can be offered for sale.