Education, Exhibition, Collection, and Salvage Permits
Any person wishing to collect any wildlife, protected by law or rules and regulations of the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Parks, for scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes must obtain a Scientific, Educational, or Exhibition Permit unless wildlife is otherwise allowed to be collected or harvested under the provisions of a valid hunting, furharvester, or fishing license or other special permit or license.
Why do I need a Kansas Collection Permit?
- To conduct scientific research that requires the collection or handling of any wildlife in the state of Kansas.
- Educational programs that involve handling or collecting wildlife.
- To perform Environmental Assessments to aid in the determination of potential impacts to wildlife populations and their habitats.
- Exhibition or display of legally obtained non-game wildlife not falling under the regulations of a hunting or fishing license.
Threatened and Endangered Species
The collection of any species designated threatened, endangered or SINC (species in need of conservation) under the Kansas non-game Act of 1975 is prohibited unless previously approved by KDWP. Likewise, additional permits are required if individuals wish to collect federally threatened or endangered species and must be obtained from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Collecting Birds
PLEASE NOTE: Most birds fall under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and will require some type of federal permit to collect whole specimens, feathers, other body parts, abandoned nests, and eggs. Information regarding on how to obtain such a permit may be reviewed at the following website:
https://fws.gov/service/permits?activity=%5B%22Possession%22,%22Take%22%5D
What do KDWP Hunting and Fishing Licenses allow me to collect?
In some cases, a valid Kansas hunting and fishing license may be sufficient for individuals wishing to collect wildlife species in Kansas. It is important for individuals to become familiar with all state hunting and fishing regulations before collecting any species of wildlife.
Kansas residents do not need a hunting license or collection permit to take moles or gophers. Unless exempt, a hunting license is required to take ground squirrels, woodchucks, kangaroo rats, wood rats, armadillos, porcupines, feral pigeons, starlings, house sparrows, rodents, and certain amphibians and reptiles. Season is open year-round. There is no possession limit except on amphibians and reptiles – five of any one species. The take of bullfrogs, common snapping turtles, and soft-shell turtles requires a fishing license and is covered under fishing regulations. Under fishing regulations, common snapping turtles and soft-shelled turtles may be taken year-round. Daily creel limit is eight, single species or in combination. Possession limit is 24. Bullfrog season is July 1 through October 31. Daily creel limit is eight. Possession limit is 24 bullfrogs. Please refer to the appropriate regulations for additional information regarding what is covered under a Kansas hunting or fishing license.
Special Provisions for Handling Bats in Kansas
Follow the most recent USFWS Decontamination protocols. Protocols can be found at https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/static-page/decontamination-information
- This includes decontamination of clothes or equipment taken into bat habitats or items that come into contact with bats.
- Please do not bring any equipment or clothes that have been used in other WNS infected regions.
Protocols and procedures are subject to change at any time as new information regarding WNS is published. Permit holders need to be prepared to incorporate these changes into their research protocols.
Prior to conducting research on bats, contact KDWP Ecological Service’s Section staff to discuss decontamination protocols, proper handling of bats, and appropriate equipment usage.
Disposable gloves should be worn when handling bats. Keep the handling and processing of bats down to a minimum.
When possible, bat wings and tail membranes should be examined for damage associated with WNS during the Spring and early Summer. When examining bat wings and tail membranes, please use the Wing Damage Index by Reichard.
https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/mmedia-education/wing-damage-index-publication
- Photographs of damaged wings should be documented.
Any bats showing any indication of WNS should be submitted to KDWP.
- KDWP will submit bat to the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) for testing.
New or decontaminated mist nets need to be used each night. For decontamination, boil nets for at least 20 minutes and then dry completely prior to next use.
Any tagging of bats should be recorded in the KDWP yearly collection report, including species identification, type of tag (band, PIT tag, etc.), associated tag number, and methodology used.
Collection activities in association with Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Since many individuals and/or institutions collect statewide, there is a high probability that these collection activities will occur in areas of known occurrences of AIS. In an effort to prevent the inadvertent transport of these organisms to other areas, it is therefore necessary to take steps in preventing their further spread.
Individuals receiving a collection permit should take a few moments to familiarize themselves with the various types of AIS they may encounter and implement a few very simple measures in the decontamination and reporting of such incidents. The following is a link providing such information.
Aquatic Invasive Species Information
Mark Van Scoyoc, Stream Survey Coordinator, Scientific Collection permits
KDWP Operations Office, Pratt, KS
(620) 672-5911
mark.vanscoyoc@ks.gov