Quote Originally Posted by Selkielass View Post
I'd be happy to get a license or permit to keep/breed my natives, if only it was clearly laid out what the requirements were.
Call the DNR in Michigan and nobody seems to know anything. I tried to look into getting a permit to rehabilitate and release protected species like Fox snakes, and couldn't get a straight answer from anybody. Staffing has been cut to and beyond the bone.

I decided to content myself with my small group of Butlers, who don't seem to violate any rules so long as I keep no more than 6 wild caught individuals at any time. Kinda grey area there- 6 gathered at a time or six total, ever? I have kept birth records on the captive born individuals I have kept, but I hope I never have to find out how the DNR interprets the rules the hard way.
It's the same just about everywhere. If the budget deficit in your state is huge, there will be no enforcement when it comes to a few snakes. You can pretty much do what you want in reality. Just as an example, WA state never gave a damn about garter snakes in the first place, even though collecting/keeping them is illegal. The officers they had protected game, but with budget cuts there's even fewer officers... there just isn't any recourse to the law.

If you couldn't get a straight answer, chances are they don't give a damn.