Wisconsin

SUMMARY OF WISCONSIN TURTLE LAWS

POSSESSION

1. A person may collect or possess up to 5 individuals of each native herptile species that are not protected, except the possession limit for snapping turtles (Chelydra s. serpentina) and softshell turtles (Apalone sp.) is 3 statewide. The one exception is on the Mississippi River, where the possession limit is 10 for snapping turtles and 5 for softshell turtles.

2. There are no possession limits or restrictions for residents or nonresidents for nonnative herptiles.

3. It is unlawful to possess: Ornate box turtle (Terrapene o. ornata), Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), Wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta), or any federally protected species.

4. Native herptiles not listed as endangered or threatened may be sold without a license if they have an atypical color or an atypical pattern.

5. The sale of live native turtles collected in Wisconsin is not allowed.

TAKING FROM THE WILD

1. Any person who collects, attempts to collect, or possesses native Wisconsin aquatic turtles must possess a Fishing, Small Game or specialty license.

2. State or federally protected species may not be taken.

3. The open season for aquatic turtles runs from July 15 through November 30. Turtles or turtle eggs may not be taken or collected during the closed season.

4. No native herptile with open season may be collected or possessed dead or live in Wisconsin above the legal possession limits without a Scientific Research License or a Class A Captive Wild Animal Farm License.

5. Snapping turtles have a minimum carapace (top shell) size limit of 12 inches and a maximum of 16 inches in length. There are no size limits for other herptiles.

6. Turtles may be taken by hand, dip net, hook and line, set line, set or bank poles, hooking, or hoop net trap.

COMMERCIAL

1. The sale of live native turtles collected in Wisconsin is not allowed.

2. Residents and nonresidents may possess and exhibit non-native herptiles for commercial purposes without any Department of Natural Resources license.

3. Residents and nonresidents may exhibit but not sell native herptiles at commercial exhibits, such as swap meets, but ONLY under the authority of a Class A or Class B Captive Wild Animal Farm or Nonresident Temporary Exhibitor's License.

4. Residents holding a Commercial Fishing License may harvest turtles on Wisconsin/Mississippi Boundary Waters. These licenses are available only to residents.

5. A captive wild animal farm license authorizes the holder to possess, propagate, kill, exhibit, purchase and sell live captive wild animals of the species specified by the department on the license. A captive wild animal farm license does not authorize taking, capturing or killing animals from the wild. All animals must be obtained from a legal captive source. The licensee may only sell live animals of the species listed on the license to persons authorized to possess these species.

6. A class A captive wild animal farm license allows and is required to sell any native reptile or amphibian taken or reared outside Wisconsin. Native reptiles and amphibians taken or reared outside of Wisconsin may only be sold to individuals or businesses outside of Wisconsin or to educational or research institutions located in Wisconsin.