I can't seem to locate the original post entitled "beware us fish and wildlife. I was related to a gentleman who got in trouble selling a bobcat on the wanted page at taxidermy.net and the buyer was a us fish and wildlife agent. It turns out he is now in trouble all because he was supposed to have a "fur buyers permit. all repones state to save yourself the trouble and get the permits. Well I live in New Jersey so I went to the regional fish and game lawenforcent office and talked the game warden there and they informed me there is no such thing as fur buyers license and as long as I was purchasing a legally caught and tagged animal (from out of state, It's illegal to sell game animals in NJ) then I have no problem as long as I have the papers to prove it was legally taken. I then called the US fish and wildlife service and talked to an inspector and he told me the same thing. They only new of the import permit needed for out of country animals. What gives? Is anyone getting anything straight? I'm More confused now than ever and all I want to do is abide by the laws
Mike
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Ok when you violate a state law, then cross state-lines it becomes a violation of the LACEY ACT and the Feds can come in.
Other wise make sure you get the paper trail.
Ask for it in writing, on official letterhead.
I know i'm going to catch it for this post but you should work with the system not against it. If it is wrong go throught the channels to change it.
It is up to you as a business person to know all the laws and regulations new and old and follow them. It is that way in any business. Get the regulations from all State and Federal departments that regulate you were you are at and read them and ask questions. Write down who you talked to and what date. Contact these Dept.s every year for updates on new laws and regulations. And keep asking questions. Keep all this information in a file. Work with your local game warden and ask him questions on new laws and regulations and keep a good repore with him/her report that deer that comes in during archery season that has been shot (you don't want that guys business anyway). Get the email updates from the USFW. If the laws are wrong then work to change them within the law. I guess what I am saying is work with the system (until you can get it changed legally)it will save you a lot of hassle and unnesssary attention warrented or unwarrented by Officials that regulate areas of your business.
Personaly I have no problem with these agency's doing stings and acting like buyers and sellers online. This is the computer age and that is how business is done now. They ran the same stings before the computer age it was just face to face. Yes these stings catch the person that should have known the law but didn't but it also catches the poacher and eventually the man behind the large sale of parts etc.
A fur dealers license! I have one. It is the law and apparently that idiot doesn't know the law!I do not know of any state that has an open fur harvester season that does not require a fur dealers license.Now as far as taxidermy is related,each state might have laws allowing a person to buy and mount for their business but yes there is such a thing.Tell him I said so!
Most states require some type of license to SELL fur. If your a trapper or hunter, you need the appropriate license. If you buy and then sell the fur, you need a fur buyers/dealers license. That being said, a person who just buys one or 2 skins to hang or mount, then later decides to sell them, shouldn't necessarily need some sort of license.
I would guess yor relative was stung by an agent who had nothing better to do, and was holding your relative to the letter of the law.