Are there laws against capturing wild turtles?

[brewmiss96]

Wolf-Kim,

I did some research on the NC F&G website, here's what I got:

1. Turtles are reptiles and by your F&G regulations they are considered "Non-game" animals.

Link to regulations on Non-game animals HERE. It is the top of page 35 if it doesn't link directly.

2. Normally, you would need a Collection License to 'take or collect' (this term does not specify for what purpose, so that's either for killing or growing.).

3. Since the pond is a private pond, you are not required to have a fishing license to fish it, SO you may not have to get a Collection License for your private pond. You need to call your F&G people and ask them. Phone numbers are:
Inland Fisheries = 919-707-0220 OR General information = 919-707-0050.

4. They will probably not appreciate you removing them from your pond and putting them somewhere where they may not occur naturally. Don't create an invasive species issue by dumping them somewhere that is not 'approved'. Your F&G department might even have on-staff trappers for this sort of thing, so I'd give them a call. And don't be squeamish about killing them, if they are every 3-6 feet they are way over populated and in need of thinning.

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Backswampcub]

The large turtle that you described being removed from your pond long ago would have been an Alligator Snapper. There are two varieties of snappers in NC the common and the alligator. The alligator snapper is protected and considered endangered for the exact reason you desribed. They were often eaten unlike the common snapper they have a shorter neck. Other turtles to look out for would be the spotted turtle. This turtle will be black or dark brown with red and yellow spots on it. This species is considered endangered and protected. They are two small to bother a duckling. If captured they should be relocated and not killed. In small numbers turtles can serve a purpose in your pond. They will take small weak and defective fish. This prevents those fish from passing on there weak genes. Turtles also act as scavengers keeping things cleaned up. Another good thing is that they will often swim in areas that the fish do not frequent as much stirring up the water keeping it mixed,oxgenated, and non stagnent.

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Thanks! I haven't seen any of the endangered turtles you are talking about. I'll be able to take a closer look if we decide to trap.

I'm glad we haven't seen any more snappers(other than the one the neighbors caught and ate) which I'm glad because we'll swim in the pond. The turtle population has been really growing in the pond since nobody keeps waterfowl anymore on it(I'm hoping to change that! LOL).

Since the turtle population has been rapidly(!) growing the past 2-3 years nobody has caught any(!!) fish except for a few minnows, a couple bream, and a few Jacks. The Jack are funny, the first time I went fishing with my future DH he was telling me how you are "suppose to kiss the first one for good luck". FIRST FISH HE CAUGHT WAS A JACK... I couldn't stop laughing and taunting him, telling him he was suppose to kiss the first fish caught. LOL. That fish just glared at him and just kept smiling with that toothy alligator smile! Needless to say, the fish didn't get the kiss but still we laugh everytime the story comes up..

-Kim