Permit for ducks in Florida?

[Soon2BChixMom]

Google is our friend. All mallard derived breeds except pekins require a permit to assure no cross breeding with wild mallards. Flying muscovies require another sort of permit. Just more bureaucratic BS.

I was only replying to the thread to summon someone to help the OP.

 

[sourland]

I was only replying to the thread to summon someone to help the OP.

? Wasn't everyone ? That's why I went to Google to correct misinformation that I gave.

 

[cajun41887]

Are Florida permits required on all ducks or only on muscovies ?

I spoke to fish and game today and permits are required on ALL ducks in Florida EXCEPT Pekins. It’s totally insane and the permits can either be pet permit if you are only keeping a few for yourself and that permit is free, but the application is intense (vet must be provided, what you’ll do to prevent escape, emergency numbers, evacuation plans, etc)There is also a game farm permit which is $50 a year and they have to come inspect your property, and then an exhibition permit if you’re showing them. They have pool and cage size requirements you have to meet and each permit has to be renewed annually. (Pet is every 2 years). You can’t sell ducks to anyone without a permit etc. I’m zoned agricultural and I had already acquired 3 Muscovies. I’m not permitted. I have an order of ducklings in the incubator from a breeder in Louisiana and I have no idea what I’m gonna do. We just wanted 5 welsh Harlequins and a couple Muscovy to enjoy on our hobby farm and to raise some quality ducklings to sell to aid in the recovery of the welsh Harlequins. Florida is a messed up state. I asked wildlife guy why Pekins are exempt and he couldn’t tell me. Just said he doesn’t make the law, only enforces it. I’m all for getting the game permit so I can have my Harlequins, but what the hell am I supposed to do with my Muscovies? They aren’t permitted and I’m afraid when they come to inspect, they will take them and fine me since I have them and don’t have a permit for them. They are gonna want to know where I got them and I’m not gonna throw that lady under the bus. Ugh! I miss Washington state! Makes me wonder how all these people are selling on Craigslist and not getting busted here. I always see Muscovy, runners and various call ducks listed. Anyone wanna Underground Railroad me some welsh Harlequins?!?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

@cajun41887 muscovies aren't even allowed with a permit? How sad, mine are such sweet things. Too bad they get a bad rap.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Are you sure you are not allowed to own muscovy? It sounds as if there is no permit needed for them according to this faq: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/waterfowl/mallard-possession-rule/faqs/

 

[cajun41887]

Are you sure you are not allowed to own muscovy? It sounds as if there is no permit needed for them according to this faq: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/waterfowl/mallard-possession-rule/faqs/

There is a permit required. I asked (because I already have them) I too thought it wasn’t needed from the way the website is worded. It’s a different permit, but I didn’t ask specially because I didn’t want to draw suspicion. I’m wondering if my loophole to get the Harlequins is to just order fertile eggs and hatch my own? I’m all for having the proper permits etc, but these laws make no damn sense and if there’s a chance I could lose my Muscovies, I’m not having someone come inspect my property. I’m a veterinary technician by profession and the housing requirements are insane. I don’t want to be subject to rules and regulations written by someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about. For instance they ask on one permit: what would this animal eat in the wild and what food do you have available to mimic the natural diet? Well, Harlequin are a DOMESTIC breed and have never been in the wild so I guess in the wild they would eat nothing as they don’t exist and they would be looking for their commercial bird food and human handouts. It’s absurd to me that the same exact duck depending on which permit one decides to apply for is subject to different rules. As a game permit, they don’t care about food or vet care, but you better have cages that are huge and they have to have 7.5 sq ft of water surface area for 4 birds and increase that by 25% for each additional animal. So 11.25 sq ft of water surface area for 6 ducks in addition to the 112.5 sq ft of floor space for those 6 ducks in their enclosure. So the 8x12 enclosure with the 3ft kiddie pool isn’t enough even though they will free range during the day and have access to an additional pool of about the same surface area, but deeper. I can’t tell fish and wildlife they will be free ranging and even if I fence off an area which is larger, the enclosure has to meet the minimum requirements, even if they are only in it overnight to protect from predators. So basically I have to have a duckhouse which is 8x14 and has 11.25 sq ft of water access for them at all times. My 8x12 hoop coop and 3 foot kiddy pool isn’t enough even just for overnight confinement of 6 Harlequins.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Crazy. I guess there are benefits to living in podunk IN.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have never heard such crazy things in my life.

 

[atomic]

I know it sounds crazy, but as a Florida native I understand why. I cannot tell you the large amount of invasive species that have flourished and otherwise been exceedingly detrimental to the native residents. It seems due to the climate, most everything thrives whether it's meant to be there or not. It is unfortunate that responsible owners get put into the mix, but how many people do you know get ducklings on a whim and decide later to just "release them" because they're more work than the people bargained for? It's been the same with the various reptiles and fish that have wreaked havoc on native wildlife. The only reason I can think of them allowing Pekins is because they are so large they are not at risk to fly away and integrate with wild populations.

 

[cajun41887]

I know it sounds crazy, but as a Florida native I understand why. I cannot tell you the large amount of invasive species that have flourished and otherwise been exceedingly detrimental to the native residents. It seems due to the climate, most everything thrives whether it's meant to be there or not. It is unfortunate that responsible owners get put into the mix, but how many people do you know get ducklings on a whim and decide later to just "release them" because they're more work than the people bargained for? It's been the same with the various reptiles and fish that have wreaked havoc on native wildlife. The only reason I can think of them allowing Pekins is because they are so large they are not at risk to fly away and integrate with wild populations.

I understand the reasoning behind it totally, but look at craigslist and you can purchase Muscovy and all sorts of other ducks. I’d bet money they don’t have a permit and aren’t making sure their buyers have a permit. Seems all the irresponsible people can get ducks and do whatever with them, but when I want to purchase from a breeder and I am a responsible owner, I have to be subject to crazy inspections and regulations? Why are people being allowed to sell on craigslist? I’m pretty certain I could order from a hatchery and get them, as the hatchery sites only say they can’t send mallard eggs to Florida. I don’t want to order from a hatchery though as most of my chickens who are from a hatchery have had health problems. I wanted excellent breeding stock from a reputable small breeder and had located just that in Louisiana but now I can’t get them. They are due to hatch in 2 weeks and even if I pursue a permit, it takes 4-6 weeks minimum since I have to have an inspection (and I already have Muscovies so I’m not wanting an inspection as I’m not risking having them confiscated) so I’m definitely not getting those ducklings that breeder hatched just for me. They only hatch when they have an order placed and a deposit with a contract, so now I’m out the money and she’s stuck brooding ducks she wasn’t prepared to raise. I’m sure she’d refund my money if I asked, but it’s not her fault so I would never ask for it back and I’m going to pay the remaining balance due even though I’ll never receive the ducklings. I misunderstood the permit stuff when I looked it up before contacting her and now everyone is paying the price. Honestly was shocked a permit was needed since u can order all types of ducks from tractor supply and the local feed store. Local feed store doesn’t just sell Pekins so not sure how that’s legally happening. ‍