I am a licensed taxidermist in PA. I specialize in Waterfowl and Game bird taxidermy, for 10 years. I have always wanted to raise Waterfowl , for reference only. I know numerous other taxidermists who do the same thing. With buying a new home, I finally have the room for a pen.
This spring, I bought 10 Woodduck eggs (for hatching purposes) from licensed dealer in WI. They came to me with all the proper federal transfer papers and receipts. I got 4 from my hatch (2 drakes and 2 hens). I thought I was legal in doing so.
After hatching, I applied for a propagation permit with the PA Game Commission. The local C.O. came out to inspect my enclosure for my permit. On the same visit, I was informed that I broke the law by buying eggs from another state. I was told I needed an import permit, and he would have to confiscate my Woodies ( he would have to give them to a licensed propagator). Or , I could send them back to where I bought them in WI. I was also told that I could be fined 200.00 per egg that I bought.
I have talked to other people in the area who raise ducks, and they have never heard or know about any such laws. I have researched the PA Game commision web site, and nothing seems to be clear on import laws regading importing captive waterfowl ( the only thing addressed is for importing exhibition waterfowl). I called the U.S. Fish and Wldlife Service, only to be given the phone # of the Game Commission, and of course I was told I needed an import permit. I even contacted the person who sold me the eggs, and he also has never heard of any such laws.
Does anyone out there know anything about such laws in PA ? Also, does anyone know of a lawyer specializing in such cases ? Does anyone know someone personally I could contact ( at the Federal level) regarding the above facts. I have a gut feeling the Game Commission doesnt know what they are talking about. I dont want to spend alot of money on this, but I am faced with the loss of my waterfowl, and 2,000.00 in fines.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
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We have deer and i do know that there is a permit for cervid importation. It is for just this purpose, bringing cervids across state lines. We have alot more red tape to deal with because of the CWD and stuff but we do have permits for it. I am guessing that there probably is one for you too...but i dont know for sure.
Shipping hatching eggs between states is fairly easy to do.. Most simply require NPIP certificate to accompany the eggs. For YOUR state you can look it up here.. This is a link for ALL states and territories.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/sregs/
And here is some I highlighted :)
§ 5.82. Intrastate transportation of poultry.Intrastate transportation of all poultry and their hatching eggs, except those forimmediate slaughter, shall be in compliance with §§ 3.191—3.194 and 3.196
POULTRY, BIRDS, WATER AND GAME FOWL, AND HATCHING EGGS:
See attached Interstate/International Quarantine Order for Poultry.
In addition to the requirements above, temporary imports for shows, exhibitions and displays: Health Certification
5
a. Imports for shows, exhibitions or displays of less than 10 days duration, with immediate return to state of origin, shall be accompanied by a properly completed, owner endorsed, health certificate.
b. The contents of the health certificate shall include the following:
(1) Name and location of the show.
(2) Name, address and telephone number of the owner.
(3) The following additional information as to the particular types including the following:
(i) Chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl or other fowl considered a pullorum hazard by the Department. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall verify participation in an official pullorum-typhoid eradication program by an attached state pullorum blood test report for all birds in the flock over 5 months of age within the 12 months preceding the first day of the show, an attached state pullorum blood test report for the individual birds offered for exhibit within 30 days preceding the first day of the show or a properly completed National Poultry Improvement Plan Form 15.
(ii) Pigeons, ornamental pheasants, canaries and other pet, wild or semi-wild birds, game or water fowl, poultry excluded. A general description of entries provided with a statement that birds imported from foreign countries during the 3 week period immediately preceding the first day of the show are not included in the entry.
(4) A statement that the imports and their flock of origin are free of evidence of contagious diseases.
(5) An endorsement signed and dated by the owner that the certificate is a true and accurate statement.
Pet or wild types of birds, and their hatching eggs:
Birds such a parrots, parakeets, finches, canaries, mynahs or wild fowl for domestication, confinement or sale as pets or for zoological or menagerie collections, and their hatching eggs, may be imported provided the out-of-state consignor shall mail a copy of the shipping invoice to the Department no later than 14 days after export. An acceptable substitute for separate invoices for each consignee shall be a single report mailed to the Department by the consignor listing exports to this Commonwealth during, but not exceeding, the most recent 14-day period. The list shall contain the following information:
(1) Names and addresses of all Commonwealth consignees.
(2) A summary of the number and types of birds or fowl shipped to each consignee.
(3) The date of each shipment.
I was told I needed an import permit, and he would have to confiscate my Woodies ( he would have to give them to a licensed propagator).
Do you know a friend who has such a license? Put them over there until you can get it.. Which seems real stupid since how is it any safer transporting them to someone elses place? The whole thing is to protect your state from diseases.. Seems it would make more sense to just quarantine them there and give you the dang license.. Or how about they be HELPFUL and let you get the paperwork from the seller, and go from there..
Sometimes I swear them people dont use their heads.. Its like they make a big deal out of it but then its OKAY to send those same birds to some other place. LIke THAT all the sudden makes the birds legal and disease free. If they were truely worried about infectious diseases (which is why they have the import laws) they would simply kill your birds and do tests, or they would quarantine them right there to restrict any spreading.
ANyhow if you need any more help let me know, I have a database for shipping hatching eggs
Rae
I can't help you out on waterfowl rules but,I raise pheasants and used to get my peeps from out of state shipped here UPS. I do know know for a fact though you need to get a permit BEFORE you get the birds. I got stuck with 100 birds that I could'nt sell, or let loose before so that's experience talking. I think you got a wannabee that's trying to prove a point and might not know himself what's going on, I would call Harrisburg and ask them. There are also a lot of gray areas in the laws I found out. When you call get the persons name you talked to cause if you call back and talk to someone else don't be suprised if you get a different answer. LOL
Here in Calif they want you to HAVE the gamebirds in possession before you file an application. So Id check your local fish and game and see what they require.
Rae