Possessing Wildlife Brochure

This reference guide lists some species that Wyoming Game and Fish Department (Department) personnel commonly ask about possessing and/or importing.  The table within this quick reference guide indicates if possession and/or importation of live wildlife is allowed and if a permit is required.  If a species is allowed for possession under a permit, wildlife housing restrictions and other conditions may be required prior to the permit issuance and/or during the time frame of the permit.  Each application to possess live wildlife is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

For more detailed information, see the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulation Chapter 10.  Application forms may be downloaded from this site.

How do I get a Chapter 10 Permit?

 

Applications are available at Possession of Live Wildlife or from your local game warden and regional offices.  Applications should be submitted to your local game warden or fisheries biologist for initial approval.  Game wardens and fisheries biologists can assist you with the application process.  Please allow a few weeks for the processing of all permit applications.  If a permit is required, it must be in possession PRIOR to importation or possession of live wildlife.  Permit renewals for wildlife that will be in your possession after the existing permit expires shall be applied for at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the existing permit. If you have questions regarding the possession and/or importation of any species, please contact the nearest Department regional office for additional information.
 

Agency Contacts

Agency Phone Website
Animal Damage Management Board 307-777-6433 wyadmb.com
Wyoming Dept. of Health 307-777-7656 health.wyo.gov
Wyoming Livestock Board 307-777-7515 wlsb.state.wy.us/public
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 307-772-2374 fws.gov
Wyoming Game & Fish Dept. 307-777-4600 Cheyenne & Regional Offices

 

Contact Game and Fish

Note:

 

  • All non-game wildlife used for any type of commercial use requires a Chapter 10 permit for possession. 
  • Common pets such as domestic varieties of dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs and ferrets are exempted from Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulations.  
  • Please check with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) prior to importing or possessing wildlife.  
  • Wildlife may carry toxins or diseases.  Public display, where there is a possibility of exposure, may be regulated by the Wyoming Department of Health or federal agencies.  Please check with a veterinarian for vaccination information. 
  • If wildlife is to be used for scientific research, education, or a special purpose that is deemed beneficial to conservation or management goals of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, the wildlife may, upon approval, be possessed with a Chapter 33 permit.
  • While the Department may allow the possession or importation of various wildlife species, local laws, ordinances, and covenants may be more restrictive.  It is your responsibility to comply with all local laws, ordinances and covenants before importing or possessing live wildlife.
  • Additionally, the Wyoming Livestock Board, Wyoming Department of Health, United State Fish and Wildlife Service, counties, municipalities and subdivisions have enacted further rules and regulations pertaining to the possession of wildlife.  Contact these agencies directly for further information.

  • Please check the USFWS list of injurious wildlife for species prohibited from transportation between states.

Wildlife Possession & *Importation Quick Reference Table

Note: This table includes typical Chapter 10 permit issuance results and is only for quick reference.  Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

 

Species (Common Name) Possession Allowed? Permit Required? Notes
(*Please check the United States Fish and Wildlife Service list of injurious wildlife for species prohibited from transportation between states)
Badger, American Yes Yes  
Bat Yes Yes  
Bear, Black and Grizzly No N/A  
Beaver, North American Yes Yes  
Bird, Game
(Also see “Mallard,” below)		 Yes Yes

Wild turkeys are prohibited from importation/possession. Migratory game birds may require a US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) permit in conjunction with a state permit. The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Bird, Nongame Yes Yes

Requires a USFWS permit in conjunction with state permit. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported.
Bird, Other (rock pigeons, Eurasian collared-doves, and mute swans) Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.
Bird, Predacious (house sparrows and European starlings) Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.
Bird, Prohibited:
monk parakeet (AKA Quaker parakeet); wild turkey		 No N/A

Please see other species listed as injurious under federal regulations .
Bird, Raptors No N/A

Possession may be permitted under other WGF Commission Regulations. Please check federal regulations.
Bobcat Yes Yes  
Camel, Domestic Yes No

The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Chinchilla Yes No  
Chipmunk Yes Yes

Least chipmunks may be possessed and do not require a permit unless imported.
Coatimundi Yes Yes  
Coyote Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Crustacean Yes No

Please refer to WGF Commission Regulation Ch. 62, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), for prohibited species. May not be imported for use as live fishing bait. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported
Deer No N/A

All deer species, including reindeer, red deer are prohibited.
Duck, Muscovy Yes No

The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Elk No N/A  
Emu Yes No

The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Ferret, Black-footed No N/A  
Ferret, Domestic Yes No  
Fish, Game No N/A

May be permitted/licensed under other WGFD regulations.
Fish, Goldfish Yes No

Must be confined in aquaria.
Fish, Marine Yes No

Can only live in salt water. Must be confined in aquaria or reared in aquaponics not connected to waters of the state. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported.
Fish, Nongame Yes Yes

Please refer to WGF Commission Regulation Ch. 62, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), for prohibited species. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported. The Kendall Warm Springs dace shall not be possessed.
Fish, Tropical Yes No

Defined as not being able to live in water temps below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Must be confined in aquaria or reared in aquaponics not connected to waters of the state. Please refer to WGF Commission Regulation Ch. 62, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), for prohibited species. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported.
Frog (imported into Wyoming) Yes No

All frogs may be imported, but shall not be used as live fishing bait.
Species
(Common Name)		 Possession
Allowed?		 Permit Required? Notes
Frog (captured in Wyoming) Yes No

All frogs, except the Columbia spotted frog and the wood frog, may be captured in Wyoming.
Fox, Red Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Gopher Yes Yes

Northern pocket gophers may be possessed and do not require a permit unless imported.
Ground Squirrel Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.
Hedgehog, Domestic Yes No  
Jackrabbit Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Kangaroos / Wallabies Yes Yes  
Lion, Mountain No N/A  
Lizard (imported into Wyoming) Yes No

All lizards may be imported, but shall not be used as live fishing bait.
Lizard (captured in Wyoming) Yes No

All lizards, except the northern tree lizard, may be captured in Wyoming.
Lynx No N/A  
Mallard, Domestic Yes No

Defined as morphologically distinct from wild mallards. The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Mallard, Captive-reared Yes Yes

Typically used for dog training.
Mammal (nongame) Yes Yes

See notes regarding certain chipmunks, mice, opossums, pocket gophers, rats, and voles. Nongame animals are those not defined in Wyoming statutes as big game animals, furbearing animals, predatory animals, small game animals or trophy game animals. Note that protected animals are prohibited from importation/possession. Those species listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported.
Marten Yes Yes  
Mice, Native Yes Yes

House, northern grasshopper, western harvest and North American deer mouse may be possessed and do not require a permit unless imported.
Mink Yes Yes  
Mollusks Yes No

Please refer to WGF Commission Regulation Ch. 62, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), for prohibited species. May not be imported for use as live fishing bait.
Monkey Yes Yes  
Moose No N/A  
Muskrat Yes Yes  
Opossum, Virginia Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.
Ostrich Yes No

The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Otter, River No N/A  
Peccaries No N/A  
Pigs, Wild and other members of family Suidae No N/A

Prohibited, except domestic pigs and pot-bellied pigs. The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Pika No N/A  
Piranha Yes No

Must be confined to aquaria.
Porcupine, North American Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Prairie Dog Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.
Pronghorn No N/A  
Rabbit, Cottontail Yes Yes  
Rabbit, European No N/A  
Raccoon Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Rat, Norway Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required permit unless imported. Those species of rats listed as injurious under federal regulations shall not be imported
Rhea, Domestic Yes No

The Wyoming Livestock Board regulates domestic livestock and poultry.
Salamander (non-native) No N/A

Prohibited from importation as per list of injurious species under federal regulations.
Species
(Common Name)		 Possession
Allowed?		 Permit Required? Notes
Salamander (native) Yes No

All native salamanders may be imported or captured in Wyoming. Imported salamanders shall not be used as live fishing bait .
Skunk Yes No

Importation prohibited by Animal Damage Management Board Rules.
Snake (imported into Wyoming) Yes No

All snakes may be imported, except those species listed as injurious under federal regulations. Snakes shall not be imported for use as live fishing bait.
Snake (captured in Wyoming) Yes No

All snakes, except the Great Basin gopher snake, the midget faded rattlesnake, the Black Hills red-bellied snake, the northern rubber boa, the pale milksnake and the smooth greensnake , may be captured in Wyoming.
Squirrel Yes Yes  
Sugar Glider Yes No  
Toad (imported into Wyoming) Yes No

All toads, except the Wyoming toad, may be imported, but shall not be used as live fishing bait.
Toad (captured in Wyoming) Yes No

All toads may be captured in Wyoming, except the western toad may not be captured in Wyoming; the Wyoming toad is prohibited from capture/possession.
Turtle (imported into Wyoming) Yes No

All turtles may be imported, but shall not be used as live fishing bait.
Turtle (captured in Wyoming) Yes No

All turtles, except the plains box turtle, may be captured in Wyoming.
Vicuna, Domestic Yes No  
Voles, Native Yes Yes

Meadow voles may be possessed and do not require a permit unless imported.
Weasel Yes Yes  
Wolf & Wolf Hybrids No N/A  
Wolverine No N/A  
Woodrat, Bushy- tailed Yes No
(unless imported)

Permit not required unless imported.