Collecting and Buying Specimens Legally and Sustainably

Ethically Sourced. We hear that term often in the oddities community. But what does it mean to be ethical in taxidermy? Ethics are subjective and vary greatly from person to person. To remain "ethical" is to stand by your personal ethos. When buying specimens it is important to make sure your ethos align with the businesses that you support. That is why you will often hear us refer to our specimens as "sustainably sourced" while outlining what that means exactly in our ethics policy online.

As important as ethics are in sourcing it is also extremely important to follow wildlife laws. Wildlife laws regulate the trade of flora and fauna and they are extremely important to the biodiversity of our earth. There are so many different laws around collecting and selling specimens. These laws vary from state to state and they are changing frequently. Lets touch on some really important things

You need permits for any specimens listed on CITES if buying or selling internationally. What is Cites? CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. 

If you are buying specimens internationally that are not listed on CITES you need an import/export license. This is a big one that is often overlooked but can lead to some hefty fines. 

Almost all native species of birds are protected by the MBTA (migratory bird treaty act of 1918). The MBTA implements four international conservation treaties that the U.S. entered into with Canada, Russia, Japan and Mexico.  It is intended to ensure the sustainability of populations of all protected migratory bird species. Any species listed on this list are illegal to possess even if found post mortem. You cannot collect their feathers, eggs or nests in addition to their physical remains. If it is a songbird, native or migratory it's more than likely illegal. 

Roadkill is legal to collect in almost all states; however a lot of states require a salvage permit. It is best to always contact your local Fish and Wildlife department to find out the laws for your state. It is also important to make sure you are wearing gloves when collecting roadkill as a lot of animals carry harmful diseases. Especially deer.

If you want to learn more about collecting and processing sustainably check out our Bone Processing class.