When buying and selling animal parts, including making artwork with it (my own being an example), it can get pretty confusing figuring out what's allowable in your state/country, never mind the rest of them! To help facilitate my own as well as others' knowledge, I have taken the time to compile this chart of laws and links. I AM NOT A LAWYER, AND THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. I AM NOT LIABLE FOR ANY LEGAL ISSUES ANYONE REFERENCING THIS PAGE MAY BE INVOLVED IN. THIS SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED A COMPLETE AND EXHAUSTIVE REVIEW OF STATE, FEDERAL OR INTERNATIONAL LAWS ON COMMERCE IN OR POSSESSION OF ANIMAL PARTS. I highly recommend reading the pages at the links provided, and not just the shorthand here. Many of these laws are long and involved and may take you a while to decipher, especially to find the parts relevant to possessing, buying and/or selling animal parts, but I strongly encourage you to read through them as best as you can. (Think of it this way--I looked through all of them in order to create this resource!) If you have any questions, please contact your state fish and wildlife department.
I've tried to highlight things that may be of particular interest to those of us who collect animal parts, and/or who buy and sell them either as-is or incorporated into art and other products. To that end, I've attempted to include information on restricted species, information on roadkill legalities, and permits/licenses for fur/antler/etc. dealers. Again, I strongly urge you to read through all relevant laws and not just use this page as your only resource, and please do not take my advice as legal advice. If you don’t see a state’s law on a particular subject (for example, picking up roadkill), you may want to assume it is illegal until you can confirm otherwise with that state’s fish and wildlife department.
I have done my best to summarize laws in the commentary. The actual wording of the law itself should be taken as superior to my commentary. For example, many states have fur dealer or similar licenses. Some of these refer specifically to "raw" or "green" hides; others do not specify whether tanned or otherwise processed hides are included. When in doubt, consult your state fish and game department.
It may be helpful to Google "[name of state] statutes", click on the link for the official state website for these laws, and then look up the specific laws associated with fish and game, wildlife, natural resources, and similar topics. AnimalLaw.info is a collection of animal-related laws sorted by state and other metrics which may also be of interest.
If you think your religious or spiritual path exempts you from these laws (especially if you’re a neopagan), here's my perspective on the subject.
To report broken links or additional information/laws not covered here, or if you feel there is a specific part of a law that ought to be highlighted in the Notes/Links section that is not already mentioned there, please contact me here. Please include, if possible, links to any relevant laws or regulations, as opposed to anecdotal evidence. For now I am limiting this to laws relevant to the United States. I am also trying to primarily keep my information to official state and/or legal sources, with a minimum amount of news articles and other secondhand information.
....aaaaaand, in case you missed it--WHEN IN DOUBT, CONTACT THE RELEVANT STATE'S FISH AND GAME DEPARTMENT!
First created 27 February, 2011. Last updated 3 July, 2012.
| Name of Law | Year Passed | Countries Affected | Notes and Links |
| Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) | 1973 | 175 as of 2011; more information, including individual countries, here | Main CITES website; species affected; searchable database of species; Helpful FAQ; info on why pre-ban CITES I animal parts are not legal to sell except within one's own state
This is the most widely adopted international law on the trade in animal parts. A tremendous number of species of animals and plants are affected, and anyone owning, buying or selling animal parts may find this helpful. Anecdotally speaking, when someone is speaking of "pre-ban" animal parts, such as large cat parts, they're speaking pre-CITES. IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL PRE-CITES APPENDIX I ANIMAL PARTS INTERSTATE OR INTERNATIONALLY. |
| Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) | 1918 | United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Russia | Text of the MBTA; list of species covered by the MBTA
In the United States, almost all wild birds are protected by the MBTA; this includes many song birds, raptors, and waterfowl. Possession of any part of the birds or their eggs or nests is illegal under the MBTA, even molted feathers found on the ground (you can't prove that you found it instead of ripping it off a bird you just shot). |
| Lacey Act | 1900 | United States | Overview of the Lacey Act; USDA page on the Lacey Act (mostly concerned with plants)
While the Lacey Act is generally better known in the trade of plants and plant-based materials, it affects a wide variety of species of animal as well. It particularly makes prohibited trade in animal parts across state or national boundaries a federal offense (III, B, 2a) |
| Marine Mammal Protection Act | 1972 | United States | Overview of the MMPA; species protected by the MMPA This law makes it illegal to possess marine mammal parts (which includes polar bears) in the United States. There is still limited trade in antique parts that predate the law. Please also see the Fur Seal Act of 1966 for exceptions made for some indigenous peoples. |
| Endangered Species Act | 1973 | United States | Overview of the ESA; species protected by the ESA The Endangered Species Act is probably the best-known among the general American public. Debates about including or excluding species, and the effects these decisions have, crop up every so often in the media. |
| Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act | 1940 | United States | Overview of the BGPA This is the infamous "eagle feather law"; occasionally there will be an article in the news about someone possessing eagle feathers, killing eagles to sell the feathers on the black market, and in one case, giving then-President Bill Clinton a dreamcatcher decorated with them! There is also debate among Native American communities about whether this law violates the right to practice indigenous religions, as eagle feathers are important culturally and spiritually to a number of indigenous peoples here. |
| Fur Products Labeling Act/Fur Products Identification Act | 1951/1998 | United States | Text of the FPLA; Text of the FPIA; more information on complying with the FPLA While these laws primarily apply to fur garments over $150 in value, they do cover the misrepresentation of furs. |
| Dog and Cat Protection Act | 2000 | United States | Text of the DCPA This law makes trade in domestic dog and cat fur illegal. It is particularly important because these furs are often misrepresented as "rabbit", "Chinese wolf", and any of a number of other misidentified or fake animals. |
| Truth in Fur Labeling Act | 2010 | United States | Overview of the TFA An amendment to existing fur labeling laws, this removes exemptions for products that only includes a small amount of fur, but provides an exemption for fur from hunted or trapped animals, and certain crafted and other small-business items. |
| U.S. Customs | n/a | United States (and anyone doing business with the United States) | A nicely detailed explanation of everything needed to export animal parts out of the U.S. legally; overview of import/export of animal parts; animal parts that do not require an import permit but are still subject to inspection; regulations on exporting animal parts from the U.S. including links to numerous other countries' import regulations International trade in animal parts requires a lot of paperwork and information; it is NOT as simple as putting a customs form on the package. |
| Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact | various | Most U.S. states | Information on the IWVC This is an agreement among the majority of the states in the U.S. that residents of one that who violate wildlife-related laws in another may be considered, for the intents and purposes of the violation, to be residents of the state in which the violation took place. |
| Federal Code Title 50 | various | United States | Text of Title 50 This set of laws covers a wide range of trade in endangered species, including prohibition on importing and selling even pre-ban CITES I animal parts.
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The first link offered for each state is its department of fish and wildlife webpage; these are the people you should contact if you have any questions about state regulations. I have tried, when possible, to link to an index of each state's regulations related to natural resources, fish and wildlife, etc. When such has not been available or otherwise not found, I have linked to the appropriate agency's website.
| State | Notable Restricted Species, Including Those Other Than Native State Endangered/Threatened (MAY NOT BE COMPLETE) | Notes and Links |
| Alabama | Black bear parts are prohibited except for possession only (not sale or barter)of parts legally taken in other states. | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Primary list of relevant laws; 2011-2012 Regulations Relating to Game, Fish and Fur-Bearing Animals ; information on fur dealer license; black bear legislation
Anyone who transports raw furs outside of the state must have a fur dealer license. |
| Alaska | It is illegal to sell brown bear parts except those made into handicrafts or those killed with a state-issued control permit. It is also illegal to sell big game trophies, or bear gall bladders. Black bear skulls and hides must be sealed prior to sale. Antlers and horns may only be sold if naturally shed or if detached from the skull, except for caribou antlers which may only be sold if the pedicle is still attached (natural sheds only), or if made into handicrafts. | Alaska Department of Fish and Game; Restrictions on Sale of Big Game Parts; Overview of Fish and Wildlife Regulations; information on fur dealer license The second link offered is pretty straightforward, though other laws may be reviewed for more information. Also, anyone who resells furs, to include as other products/art (unless they bought previously manufactured items and not the hides themselves), must have a fur dealer's license. Roadkill is considered the property of the state and may not be collected. |
| Arizona | Jaguar parts are specifically prohibited for possession and sale except those legally possessed prior to 1997; most bighorn sheep parts taken prior to 2005 are also prohibited for sale except by the state; roadkill permits for big game may only be obtained by the person who hit the animal. | Arizona Fish and Wildlife; All Arizona State Game and Fish Laws and Rules; PDF of rules and regulations; information on roadkill collection Anyone who resells parts of "predatory, non-game or fur-bearing mammals" taken in Arizona must have a fur dealer's license. Also be aware of the sections regarding shipping and exporting animal parts in Chapter 3, Article 4. Roadkill collection requires a salvage permit. |
| Arkansas | It is illegal to possess the parts of chicken turtles or alligator snapping turtles. Alligator parts may only be sold by licensed alligator dealers. No other crocodilian parts of any other species may be sold except with written permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department. Bear parts are not listed as an exception in 18.03 5-10 of the Arkansas Fish and Game Commission Code Book. | Arkansas Fish and Game Commission; Arkansas Fish and Game Code Book; Buying and Selling Furs Anyone selling raw hides that they did not hunt or trap themselves must have a Fur Dealer Permit. Residents may not buy or sell parts of animals taken in Arkansas between May 1 and June 30, with the exception of tanned hides, taxidermy, and whole carcasses for personal use only. There are also specific regulations surrounding importing cervid parts as per 19.06 05-10. |
| California | Sale or possession of any parts of any of the following animals is prohibited, except possession of legally taken animals with a state-issued permit: Morro Bay kangaroo rat, Bighorn sheep except Nelson bighorn sheep, Northern elephant seal, Guadalupe fur seal, Ring-tailed cat, Pacific right whale, Salt-marsh harvest mouse, Southern sea otter, Wolverine. It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess with intent to sell the parts of polar bear, leopard, ocelot, tiger, cheetah, jaguar, sable antelope, wolf (Canis lupus), zebra, whale, cobra, python, sea turtle, colobus monkey, kangaroo, vicuna, sea otter, free-roaming feral horse, dolphin or porpoise (Delphinidae), Spanish lynx, or elephant, as well as black bear. Bobcat pelts must be sold with the proper tags. There are also specific regulations surrounding importing cervid parts as per the Mammal Hunting Regulations, Section 2, §712. Parts of a bear may only be possessed for personal use by the person who legally hunted it. Mountain lion parts may only be sold if the seller can prove they possessed the parts legally prior to 1990. | California Department of Fish and Game; CA Fish and Game Code; Specific regulations on importing animal parts into California; hunting and fishing regulations for mammals, birds, and aquatic wildlife; specific information surrounding black bears; information on fur dealer license; fur dealer application; prohibition on collecting roadkill; prohibition of sale of domestic dog and cat hides; SF Gate article on illegal trade in animal parts; article with Q&A about selling animal parts in CA. California is notoriously strict on the trade in animal parts, particularly endangered animals. Anyone dealing in raw hides must have a fur dealer license. |
| Colorado | Sale of bear gall bladder, the horns/skulls or capes of bighorn rams, and velvet antlers, is illegal, with some exceptions as provided by Article X #018 of the Division of Wildlife Regulations; state employees may receive "scrap" as long as nothing is exchanged for it. | Colorado Division of Wildlife; Main index of Division of Wildlife Regulations Roadkill may be collected with proper authorization as per Article X #016 of the Division of Wildlife Regulations. |
| Connecticut | There are restrictions on what cervid parts may be imported into the state; certain raw hides (bobcat and black bear) must have proper tags regardless of state of origin as per 26-78-1 | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; All State DEP regulations; Regulations for Tanning, Curing or Mounting Wild Birds and Quadrepeds; hunting and trapping regulations with speciic stipulations for bobcat and black bear Roadkill may only be turned into tanned hides/taxidermy/etc. with a permit, and the resulting hide/taxidermy/etc. must be donated to an institution approved by the state. |
| Delaware | There are restrictions on importing cervid parts; it is illegal to possess or sell bear gall bladders or other bear viscera, and all other bear parts must comply with CITES regulations. The regulations also outlaw trade in native species endangered in the state, with a list in 16.0. It is illegal to sell or possess parts of leopard; snow leopard; clouded leopard; tiger; cheetah; alligators, crocodiles or caiman; vicuna; red wolf; polar bear; and harp seals/ | Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife; State Wildlife Regulations; other wildlife information; specific prohibitions on endangered species; prohibition of sale/barter on domestic dog or cat hides and meat A fur dealer license is necessary to trade in raw hides except muskrat. |
| Florida | There are very strict regulations surrounding buying, selling or possessing black bear and other bear parts. It is illegal to hunt or possess native mink, weasel, round-tailed muskrat or Key Vaca raccoon parts. | Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Index of state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission codes; Prohibition on black bear parts; regulations on furbearer hides; information on roadkill; information on importing cervid parts; article on taxidermist charged with possessing black bear parts A trapping license is required to sell furbearer hides; permits are required for picking up roadkill. |
| Georgia | Restrictions on importing cervid parts. | Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division; DNR Wildlife Resources Division rules and regulations; hunting regulations, including information on importing cervids; trapping license info; the Georgia "Road Kill Bill". Trapping license required for sale of furbearer hides; roadkilled bears and deer may be possessed with permit. |
| Hawaii | Trade in shark fins is prohibited | Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources; State Wildlife Provisions; prohibition of trade in shark fins
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| Idaho | Parts of big game animals that died naturally may only be possessed for personal use, not sale/trade. | Idaho Fish and Game; Hunting Regulations, including animal part possession and trade regulations; article on proposed road kill legislation; information on trade in animal parts As of March 2011, picking up roadkill is still illegal, but reportedly new legislation is being drafted that would allow some roadkill salvage. Also, a commercial wildlife license is required for dealing in raw furbearer hides, as well as bear and cougar parts in general. |
| Illinois | Illegal to possess parts of native nongame animals. | Illinois Department of Natural Resources; DNR Regulations; guide to some restrictions on possessing animal parts; taxidermy laws handbook, including possession laws and list of endangered/threateded species; more legislation on possessing animal parts; fur tanner/dyer and buyer license application info; information on roadkill deer Retail fur buyer license required to deal in raw hides, and fur tanner permit required to tan hides for others; roadkill deer or deer that die of natural deaths may only be possessed with permits. |
| Indiana | Possession of raw hides or carcasses of furbearers is illegal outside of certain times of the year | Indiana DNR Fish and Wildlife Services; hunting and trapping guide, including some possession information; information on taxidermy legalities, including possession; fur buyer license and regulations Roadkill or natural-death deer may only be possessed with permits; buying and selling of raw hides may only be done with a fur buyer's license. |
| Iowa | It is illegal to possess hides or carcasses of game or furbearing animals except venison more than 30 days after the applicable season is over, unless you have a taxidermy license; there are specific parts of out of state cervids that may not be imported.. | Iowa Department of Natural Resources; DNR Administrative Code; hunting and related regulations; information on fur dealer and taxidermy licenses A fur dealer license is required to trade in raw hides. |
| Kansas | n/a | Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; endangered species info, including regarding permits; restrictions on commercialization of wildlife; furharvester license information; hunting regulations, furbearer section includes possession and sale regulations Permits required to possess/sell state endangered species; furharvester license required to sell hides of furbearers. |
| Kentucky | Spotted skunk parts may not be sold or possessed; restrictions on importing cervid parts; black bear parts may not be sold. | Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources; Hunting/Trapping Guide; application for fur buyer and taxidermist licenses; general wildlife and related regulations in Title 301 Raw hides may only be sold to licensed taxidermists, licensed fur buyers or licensed fur processors. Carcasses may not be sold. Inedible parts such as hooves, and completed taxidermy, may only be sold to or by taxidermists. Those engaging in mounting hides and other animal parts must have a taxidermist license; however, those making garments or other items out of inedible animal parts do not require a license. |
| Louisiana | It is illegal to hunt or possess spotted fawns. | Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; Wildlife regulations overview, including trapping regulations with fur buyer/dealer regulations; more information on fur buyer/dealer licenses; additional information on alligator hides; more information on alligator hunting and parts Raw hides and carcasses of furbearers, alligators and nongame animals may not be bought from trappers by anyone without a fur buyer or fur dealer license; the fur dealer license only is required to ship these raw hides/carcasses out of state, and they may only be shipped to non-resident licensed fur buyers; alligator hides require a CITES tag. |
| Maine | There are specific restrictions on what parts of turkeys, moose, deer and bears may be bought and sold; there are specific restrictions on what cervid parts may be imported. | Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife; Hunting and Trapping laws, including possession regulations and licenses; taxidermy licensure information; index of fish and wildlife laws Raw hides, carcasses, heads, and bear gall bladders may only be bought or sold with a fur dealer license, seasonal hide dealer license, or taxidermist license. Imported raw hides must be tagged, either in the state of origin, or upon arrival in Maine, unless they are specifically for taxidermy; a licensed taxidermist must also have a hide dealer license. |
| Maryland | There are specific regulations for importing cervid parts; it is illegal to sell parts of bears that have been killed in Maryland. | Maryland Departnment of Natural Resources; DNR Regulations; information on fur dealer and taxidermist/fur tanner permits; deer salvage permit; bear hunting regulations A fur dealer permit is required to sell quadreped hides, with some exceptions. Deer that die natural deaths on private land may be possessed with a deer salvage permit. |
| Massachusetts | There are restrictions on importing cervid parts. | Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game; Division of Fisheries and Wildlife regulations; fur labeling legislation; fur buyer license information; hunting, fishing and trapping regulations; miscellaneous wildlife laws, including roadkill Furs and items made from furs must have the species clearly marked; fur buyer license required for buying/selling raw hides except for personal use; certain furbearer hides must be tagged in the state of origin to be sold in Massachusetts; roadkill deer may be salvaged if properly reported. |
| Michigan | Only skulls and hides (not claws) of black bears may be traded. Cougar parts may not be bought or sold, and cougar roadkill may not be collected; cougar (and lynx, along with other endangered native species) trophies may under certain circumstances be imported; there are restrictions on importing cervid parts. | Michigan Department of Natural Resources; legalities on possessing and selling/buying raw hides; trapper education manual; additional hunting regulations with list of game animals; special permit regulations including roadkill; taxidermy permit information, including more detailed information on roadkill, and possession/sale restrictions of numerous species; restrictions on importing cervid parts. A fur dealer's license is required to trade in raw hides or plumage of several specific species of mammal/bird; roadkill deer and bear may only be possessed with a permit; other roadkill animals may be restricted. |
| Minnesota | Black bear parts are legal to sell, except gall bladders, and paws not attached to hides. There are restrictions on importing cervid parts. | Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; DNR Regulations; hunting and trapping regulations; fur buyer license information; fur tanning and dressing/taxidermy license information; roadkill deer information Tanning an otter, marten, fisher or bobcat hide does not negate the tagging requirement; roadkilled or nuisance-killed lynx or wolf may not be possessed without a permit; several other species that are accidentally or nuisance-killed may be possessed only if reported within a certain time frame; roadkilled deer may be possessed with a permit; a person who tans a furbearer pelt from an animal that was nuisance-killed may be entitled to funds from the sale of the pelt; raw hides may only be sold to a licensed fur buyer; a fur buyer license is required to trade in raw hides, though taxidermists and fur manufacturers are not required to have a fur buyer license, but anyone processing or mounting hides for profit needs a fur tanning license |
| Mississippi | Spotted fawns may not be hunted (and presumably possessed). Most game and non-game native animal parts may not be sold, with a few exceptions; black bear parts may not be sold. | Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; hunting regulations, including restrictions on sale of native wildlife parts; trapping and fur dealing info, including regulations in trade in furbearer hides A fur buyer license is required to trade in green hides, and there are additional regulations surrounding trade in hides. |
| Missouri | n/a | Missouri Department of Conservation and Wildlife; Hunting and Trapping regulations, including possession regulations; trapping regulations, including information on the Resident Fur Handler permit; more information on fur-related permits and regulations; general conservation regulations. A Resident Fur Handler permit is required to possess raw hides beyond the possession date; only applies to pelts taken by the permit holder; will be rescinded on July 1, 2011. Skinned carcasses of furbearers may be sold year-round. |
| Montana | It is illegal to sell grizzly bear parts; registration has been repealed as of 2012. | Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks; Montana Fish and Wildlife Code index; information on repealed codes 87-3-111 and 87-3-110; fur dealer license information; hunting regulations A fur dealer license is required to trade in hides. |
| Nebraska | Black bear parts may not be bought or sold; several other species of native mammal are protected and may not be hunted in-state. | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission; Game and Parks Statutes index; roadkill information. Written permission is required to possess raw hides more than ten days after the end of the season; a fur buyer's license is required for trading raw hides; roadkill deer, elk or antelope may be possessed with a permit.
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| Nevada | n/a | Nevada Department of Wildlife; Index of wildlife-related laws; fur dealer application A fur buyer license is required to trade in raw hides; a transportation permit is necessary to transport within or outside of the state raw hides and some other parts of various native species hunted in-state. |
| New Hampshire | Restrictions on importing cervid parts; it is illegal to kill and possess parts of cougars or lynx taken in-state; only the heads, hides and feet of moose, deer and black bear may be sold. | New Hampshire Fish and Game Department; Fish and Game statutes; hunting regulations Roadkill deer may be kept with permission. |
| New Jersey | Bobcat parts from in-state are prohibited; bobcat parts from out of state may be possessed but not sold; hides are the only part of a deer that may be sold; there are restrictions on importing and selling native cervid parts; it is illegal to possess horseshoe crabs or their eggs; black bear parts may not be sold. | New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife; Wildlife regulations index; Title 23 regulations; fur labeling regulations; unlawful sale, purchase of wildlife; details on tagging and transporting certain animal parts Any article of clothing sold with any amount of fur incorporated into it must be labeled with the type of fur; only the meat of roadkill deer may be possessed, and only for personal consumption; there is a limit on how long one may possess deer parts after the season closes without permission. |
| New Mexico | Skulls of deer, elk, ibex, oryx, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, bears and cougars that die naturally in the state are considered property of the state and may not be collected by private citizens; it is illegal to buy, barter or sell black bear organs. | New Mexico Game and Fish; Hunting regulations, including Big and Small Game Guides; donation certificate for parts; information on black bears; furbearer law info; fur dealer license info Any big game parts that are found out in the wild may not be possessed without permission from the Department of Game and Fish; a donation certificate is required to receive game parts from a hunter or trapper; anyone, except a trapper selling their own take, who buys and sells more than fifty raw furbearer hides a year must possess a fur dealer license. |
| New York | No part of the skin or body, whether raw or manufactured, of the following species of wild animals or the animal itself may be sold or offered for sale by any individual, firm, corporation, association or partnership within the state of New York :--Leopard, Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Cheetah, Alligators, Caiman or Crocodile of the Order Crocodylia (except as provided in subdivision two of this section), tortoises of the genus Gopherus, marine turtles of the family Cheloniidae and the family Dermochelidae, Vicuna, Wolf, Red Wolf, or Tasmanian Forester Kangaroo or Polar Bear, Mountain Lion, sometimes called Cougar, Jaguar, Ocelot, or Margay, Sumatran Rhinoceros, or Black Rhinoceros. However, a permit and license exist to potentially allow for legally taken dead endangered species parts. | New York Department of Environmental Conservation; Relevant laws; more relevant laws; fur labeling information; index of fish and wildlife laws; information on dead endangered species permit and endangered species license Clothing with real fur must have it labeled as such. |
| North Carolina | Bear parts may not be possessed, bought or sold; cougar, beaver and fox parts are also subject to restrictions. | North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Sale and possession of wildlife; protection of animals statutes; fur dealer license information; 2011-12 hunting, trapping and fishing digest A fur dealer license is required to buy and sell pelts. |
| North Dakota | Black bear parts may not be bought or sold; restrictions apply to importing certain cervid parts. | North Dakotas Game and Fish Department; Index of regulations; more regulations; information on cervid parts; article including brief information on roadkill permit Roadkill may not be possessed without a permit. A license is required to deal in raw hides. |
| Ohio | It is illegal to possess any parts of any non-game bird. | Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife; Wildlife regulations (extensive); guide to educational exceptions A license is required to deal in raw hides. Roadkill may be possessed if a permit is applied for within twenty-four hours of the accident. Parts of native furbearers other than hides may only be possessed with an education permit or receipt from a wildlife officer. |
| Oklahoma | Raw parts of swift fox, spotted skunk and ringtail may only be possessed if the animals were taken legally in another state. | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation; Wildlife regulations A fur buyer license is required to deal in raw hides. |
| Oregon | Black bear and cougar parts may not be bought, bartered or sold; the parts of gray wolf, lynx, wolverine, fisher, kit fox and ringtail may only be sold if they were legally taken outside of the state; it is illegal to sell domestic dog or cat fur. | Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Animal parts laws; hide/antler dealer license information; hunting regulations; prohibition on selling domestic dog or cat fur A hide and antler license is required to sell deer hides or antlers (except as part of finished artwork) or to purchase hides or antlers, to include for incorporation in artwork. A fur dealer license is required to deal in raw hides. |
| Pennsylvania | It is illegal to sell any fur, skin or hair of a domestic dog or cat (does not include hair naturally shed or removed through grooming). It is illegal to sell, buy or barter for shed antlers. | Pennsylvania Game Commission; Relevant laws; more relevant laws; dog and cat product act; information on important restrictions A fur dealer license is required to buy furs to resell. |
| Rhode Island | n/a | Rhode Island Divion of Fish and Wildlife; Fish and wildlife regulations; fur buyer permit information A permit is required to buy hides to sell to fur manufacturers. |
| South Carolina | It is illegal to buy, sell or barter bear parts, or deer antlers still attached to the pedicel (part of the skull the antler is attached to). Wild turkey parts may not be sold, with the exception of feathers used in art made by who is a member of a tribe recognized by (1) Public Law 101-644, the Indian Arts and Crafts Board Act, and (2) the state's Commission on Minority Affairs pursuant to Section 1-31-40. | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; Department of Natural Resources regulations page Licenses are required to deal in or process raw hides; and raw hides or whole dead animals may only be exported out of the state with a permit. |
| South Dakota | It is illegal to sell or buy the paws (as well as meat and internal organs) of big game animals, except for bear paws which may only be sold attached to a hide; sale of big game heads, hides, claws, and non-velvet antlers is allowed. | South Dakota Department of Fish, Game and Parks; Game, fish, parks and forestry laws A fur dealer's license is required to engage in commercial trade of raw hides. |
| Tennessee | It is illegal to sell wild bullfrog parts (domestic ones are okay). Black bear parts are illegal to trade in, though they may be bought from outside the state as long as they are not resold within the state. | Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; Roadkill info; hunting/etc. information; specific animal parts that may be bought or sold Roadkill may be possessed, except deer must have a permit within 48 hours of the accident, and bears may not be taken away until the permit is issued. A fur dealer license is required to deal in raw hides, except for furriers. |
| Texas | It is illegal to trade in black bear parts. It is also illegal to sell or buy bat parts. | Texas Parks and Wildlife; searchable index of Texas laws; law concerning bats It is illegal to pick up roadkill. Raw hides may only be traded in or processed for sale with a permit. |
| Utah | All black bear and cougar parts except for tanned hides are illegal to buy and sell. There are restrictions on collecting shed antlers, to include a permit period (see Big Game guide book). | Utah Division of Wildlife Services; Black bear guidebook; collection of all relevant hunting guide books. A fur dealer permit is required to trade in green hides. Proof of legal ownership is required to possess any tanned native furbearer hides except coyote, red fox, and striped skunk. |
| Vermont | n/a | Vermont Fish and Wildlife; Digest of Laws Anyone trading in deer or furbearer hides must have a fur buyer's license. |
| Virginia | There are restrictions on taking cervid parts out of areas of the state affected by Chronic Wasting Disease, as well as importing them from other states. It is illegal to buy or sell black bear parts. It is illegal to buy or sell deer antlers within the state, to include by mail. | Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; Cat and dog fur statute; fur dealer permit application/details; hunting/trapping regulations; laws on buying and selling wildlife, including parts; email from fish and wildlife official regarding deer antlers It is illegal to sell garments made with domestic dog or cat fur. A permit is required to buy or sell furs/hides, or to otherwise deal in fur as a business, without a permit. Roadkilled bears or deer may only be kept with permission. |
| Washington | Nonedible parts of game animals may be bought and sold except for all parts of bighorn sheep and mountain goat, velvet deer and elk antlers, black bear gall bladders, claws and teeth (except for black bear claws or teeth attached to a rug or taxidermy mount or a raw black bear hide). There are restrictions on importing cervid parts. | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Fur dealer license info; hunting and trapping regulations Roadkill may not be kept. A fur dealer license is required for dealing in raw furs. |
| West Virginia | There are restrictions on exporting cervids out of the Chronic Wasting Disease area. The hide, head, antlers and feet of deer, and hide, head and skull of black bears may be sold. There are limitations on exporting certain wildlife parts. | West Virginia Department of Natural Resources; Natural resources regulations A license is required to trade in raw furs, and exported raw hides must be clearly marked on the package, and certain raw hides or parts must be tagged within 30 days of the close of the hunting/trapping season. Roadkill, except for birds, spotted fawns, and bear cubs may be possessed with a permit. |
| Wisconsin | The only bear parts that may be sold are hides with the head, claws and teeth still attached; these may not be sold separately. Only the head, non-spotted skin, and non-velvet antlers of deer may be sold if they are severed from the rest of the carcass. It is illegal to possess velvet antlers, spotted (fawn) deer hides, and albino or white deer parts except the head, tarsel glands or hooves (exceptions to the lattermost may be made with a permit). There are restrictions on exporting deer parts from areas with Chronic Wasting Disease. | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Fur labeling law; index of trapping and hunting regulations Any garment made with fur must have the type of fur clearly marked. There are restrictions on shipping and trading in raw hides, to include relevant permits, and certain raw hides must be tagged within a specific period of time after the season ends. Roadkill may be possessed with permission. |
| Wyoming | There are restrictions on collecting shed antlers in some parts of the state at certain times of the year. Black bear, cougar, wolf and other big game parts may not be exported without an interstate game tag. | Wyoming Game and Fish Department; Article on shed antler collecting; hunting regulations A fur dealer license is required to trade in raw hides other than from cloven hoof big game animals; an employee of a licensed fur dealer may act under the employer's authority with proof. |
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