Section 885.20  Seasons, Limits and Methods of Take for Bullfrogs, Snapping Turtles and Other Native Herptiles

a)         A sport fishing license is required for residents, unless exempt from a sport fishing license under Section 20-5 of the Code to legally collect or take any native herptile taxon on private land, with the landowner's permission.

b)         Bullfrogs and common snapping turtles may be taken only June 15 through October 15.  There is no closed season on all other non-listed native herptiles.

c)         The daily catch limit for bullfrogs is 8, with a possession limit of 16.  The daily catch limit for common snapping turtles is 2, with a possession limit of 4.

d)         For non-listed native herptile taxa (excluding bullfrogs), the possession limit is 8 collectively, with no more than 4 per species.

e)         Unless otherwise authorized, turtles other than common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand.  Common snapping turtles may be taken only by hand, hook and line or bow and arrow.  Common snapping turtles may not be taken by bow and arrow in the following counties:  Randolph, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Saline, Williamson, Jackson, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, Pulaski and Alexander.

f)         Nonresidents

1)         Nonresidents may not possess or collect herptiles collected from the wild within this State, except:

A)        for scientific purposes with a Herptile Scientific Collection permit; or

B)        for personal consumption with a nonresident sport fishing license. 

2)         Nonresidents not conducting scientific research may photograph and briefly manipulate nonvenomous herptiles not listed as endangered or threatened in the wild, provided the herptiles are not harmed or removed from the site where encountered.