Okies in the BYC The Original

[Grace'sDad]

Quote:
This is what I just found and I didn't know it.

The conservation status of Oklahoma’s turtles is just as diverse as the range of species. The capture and possession of all turtles is regulated by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation under specific reptile regulations that can be found in OAC Title 800:25-7 Part 3, or OAC Title 800:15 Subchapter 9. A hunting or fishing license is required to trap or collect turtles for personal use; a commercial turtle harvester license is required to trap aquatic turtles commercially.

There is more information at:
http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/turtles.htm

 

[artsyrobin]

hi guys- ninja post- had to share this pic for cuban! captain is standing under an ice cube dripping through the top of the run, and the girls are catching the drops... sure looks like they are giving him an ear full!!!

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
I don't think so if taking them from your own land, If you were wanting to sell them I think you need a hunting and fishing license as well as a breeders license as they are native to Oklahoma I think the hunting and fishing rules have info on whats required for collecting turtles
I'd like to see pictures of your turtle trap if it wouldn't be a big problem

Well, drat. I was hoping I could do this without killing them. Oh, well.

This is the identical style trap:

 

[poultryand bees]

Buster,

You probably need to identify the species of turtle, since 3 species have special restrictions.

Three species of turtles are sufficiently rare that closed seasons have been established to prohibit the trapping, possession or killing of these species. These closed-season species are the Alligator Snapping Turtle, the Western Chicken Turtle and the Common Map Turtle. The two species of box turtles, Three-toed Box Turtle and Ornate Box Turtle, can be collected for personal use but all commercial trade is prohibited in large part because their low reproductive rate makes their populations vulnerable to local depletion in the event of over collection. The remaining species, all of which are aquatic, may be collected for personal use or may be trapped commercially from private waters with an approved commercial turtle harvest license.

And as I read it, if you are getting them from your own property, you may not be required to have a license.
800:25-7-7. General provisions
The following are the general provisions for the taking and possession of reptiles and amphibians:
(1) It shall be unlawful to engage in any commercial activities involving any species or subspecies, if more than one exists, of reptiles or amphibians collected from the wild that are indigenous to or whose range extends into the State of Oklahoma, except for provisions for rattlesnakes, water turtles and aquatic salamanders (Necturus and Ambystoma, except Ambystoma talpodium).
(2) Any person while in the act of taking or attempting to take reptiles and amphibians or possessing reptiles or amphibians must first possess:
(A) A resident or nonresident hunting license, unless otherwise exempt, for land dwelling reptiles or amphibians, with the exception of (C) and (D) of this paragraph.
(B) A resident or nonresident fishing license, unless otherwise exempt, for water dwelling reptiles or amphibians, with the exception of (C) and (D) of this paragraph.
(C) A commercial turtle harvester license for legal water dwelling turtles if the taking or possession is for commercial purposes.
(D) A commercial resident or nonresident minnow dealers license for legal aquatic salamanders if the taking is for commercial purposes.
(E) The appropriate license required for the taking of bullfrogs according to current statutes and regulations.
(3) Persons possessing a current resident or nonresident hunting license, unless otherwise exempt, may sell lawfully taken rattlesnakes only to those individuals holding a Commercial or Noncommercial Wildlife Breeders license during open season. A Commercial Breeders license is required of all who buy and resell live rattlesnakes.
(4) The method of taking legal water turtles and aquatic salamanders for commercial purposes and the taking of bullfrogs shall be restricted to provisions in the current statutes and regulations. It shall be unlawful to introduce, deposit, place or drain any deleterious, noxious, toxic or petroleum based substance into or around any underground dens or rock crevices for the purpose of taking reptiles or amphibians. With the exception of water turtles and aquatic salamanders taken for commercial purposes and all legal species of frogs, all other reptiles and amphibians may only be taken by hand or any other legal means.
(5) Nothing in this Part shall prohibit the control of reptiles other than those listed as endangered or threatened, by landowners, lessees, or occupants of such land when such reptiles are creating a nuisance.
(6) All persons so licensed for reptiles and amphibians shall keep detailed breeding and hatching records in addition to those records already required by law.
(7) Progeny of lawfully held reptiles may, for six months from date of birth, be held in captivity in excess of the stated limits. Before or upon reaching six months of age, such progeny must be disposed of according to the requirements of the license held, or as directed by the Department. Progeny may be retained for brood stock if replacing parent stock disposed of in the above manner so as not to exceed the stated limits.
(8) The Director may make exception for education or research purposes to holder of Oklahoma Scientific Collector's permits for both reptiles and amphibians.
[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 1291, eff 11-15-91 (emergency); Amended at 9 Ok Reg 3075, eff 7-13-92; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1845, eff 5-15-98; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 2919, eff 7-1-01]

Talk to your local game warden - the restrictions seem to be against harvesting the endangered species of turtles. They don't appear to address "relocating" the turtles to a lake somewhere else, although you are going to need to fall under the category of landowners with nuisance reptiles or catching for commercial purposes (which will require a license) if you are catching them other than by hand.

Just my two cents, which with inflation isn't worth even that much

 

[poultryand bees]

Buster,
I finally found the regulation regarding harvesting turtles

800:15-9-4. Non-commercial turtle harvest
Non-commercial harvest of turtles shall be lawful in all waters of the state throughout the year provided:
(1) All persons engaged in taking turtles for personal use shall have obtained from the Department of Wildlife Conservation or its authorized agent, a resident fishing license.
(2) Turtles harvested shall not be sold commercially.
(3) Shooting of turtles is prohibited in accordance with Federal Regulations.
(4) Private ponds and impoundments and municipal lakes may be fished for turtles only upon permission of the landowner or municipality.
(5) Turtles may be taken from public waters only under the provisions of OAC 800:10.

So, it looks like as long as you have a fishing license and aren't catching the 3 endangered species of turtles, you are good to go - but you are still supposed to catch them by hand rather than use a trap (unless your game warden considers you to fall under the landowner nuisance exception )

 

[poultryand bees]

Michael Daugherty just sent me a text that he saw a newsclip about Backyard Chickens on Channel 4. If anyone can find a link to the story, would you please post it?

I wonder if it was related to the vote coming up at the OKC City Council regarding regulations for owning chickens in OKC if you are on less than an acre of land?

 

[Elwood Lightfoot]

I knew there were regulations on harvesting turtles just didn't know all the particulars, I have quite a problem with turtles in my pond and have a few traps that catch them live to keep them thinned out and do relocate them I use a couple old bathtubs that work a little like the one you have it just has a 1X6 across it longways with ramps at each end they sun on the long part and when the bail off it the fall into the tub and I take them out of that, I have a cage that has doors on each end that open to the inside and swing up I float it with a couple of flat gallon jugs and suspend a tin can with small holes from the middle top and the go for the bait when they push the door open it falls back closed and they can't get out, You have to float the trap so they can get air or else they drown, this one works best with the snapping turtles. Thanks for posting the pictures of your new trap I like the design and may build one like it. I plan on being able to let the geese and ducks when I have them have free range on the pond and I think we have a right to protect our birds I guess I should look into making sure I'm not breaking any laws doing it like I do.

 

[mjgigax]

Quote:
Nice picture! - I love cochins!

 

[Buster52]

Thanks for all the helpful information on turtles. We do have snappers (probably alligator snappers) that are huge, but I guess they will have to stay. I'm not going to mess with an endangered species, even if it is a pain in the neck.

Guess I will need to figure out a way to rid myself of the non-protected turtles. There is a creek that runs (when it's running) a couple hundred feet from my western fence line. One way would be to release them on my property in a situation where they are closer to the creek than my pond and let them go where they wish. Just point them in the right direction, you know what I mean? That might be a legal way around my dilemma.

This also explains some of the antics of the auctioneers. One brother was pointing out the items and identifying them to the brother who was doing the calling.

Brother one ringman: "Sell this trap here."

Brother two auctioneer: "Sell my turtle trap there."

Brother one: (after a pause) "This trap right here."

Brother two: (catching on) "Sell my trap there. Alright now, gimme..."

Stuck in my head as a bit odd. Now I know why.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
During POOPS when the TV reporter was there and doing the interview with Me & Monty I asked if he would speak to the young woman who was at our gathering and made the statement before the auction, about the OKC councils agenda on this upcoming vote and he did, so that may be her interview not sure though.

AL