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California Laws?

T

tom e

New member
So I was going to buy a Rubber Boa from SMR, but while checking into CA state laws found out that I can't purchase one (even if it comes from Washington stock) But I can go out and catch one locally if I buy a fishing license.
What kind of logic is that? (rhetorical)
My questions for CA herpers...
Is this really a standard fishing license?
And has anybody had any success finding rubber boas? Suggested locations or tecniques would be appreciated!
 
I don't know the answer to your question- but couldn't you love a Rosy Boa just as much? (My new snake infatuation...) Or a KSB??

Nanci
 
I've never caught a rubber boa but I do know, thanks to Lefty M(Trevor), that yes... you need a standard fishing license. I know... I thought it was weird too. It seems to me that it's more of a catching license. There are limits to how many of each species you can catch in each day and total.
 
Florida has a law about box turtles that you can't buy or sell them, but catching your own or being given one is ok, but you can only have two individuals total of the four subspecies native to Florida.

Nanci
 
We found 2 or 3 rubber boas on a camping trip several years ago. It was in May with warm days and cold nights, near Cherry Lake just outside Yosemite. We also found a couple of mountain kings and a gopher snake. It was a great trip with some beautiful scenery!

We didn't keep any as we are not into those species, but Bill was kept busy taking photos!
 
With a standard fishing license, you are allowed to catch and keep up to 5 of any native CA snake species, excluding rattlesnakes, which have no limit. You need a special permit, available through the DFG, in order to breed these snakes, or to keep more than 5. Albino variations are excluded. I am not aware of any regulations forbidding the purchse of rubber boas, though, admittedly, I have never seen any for sale in CA.

A good place to find rubber boas is in the Mammoth Lakes area or Tuolomne Meadows, in the lower valleys. I would stay between 5,000 and 10,000' in elevation for your best chances. If you're lucky, you may find a Rosy Boa, as well as Zonata kings, cali kings, racers and whips.
 
kathylove said:
We found 2 or 3 rubber boas on a camping trip several years ago. It was in May with warm days and cold nights, near Cherry Lake just outside Yosemite. We also found a couple of mountain kings and a gopher snake. It was a great trip with some beautiful scenery!

We didn't keep any as we are not into those species, but Bill was kept busy taking photos!
Click to expand...
I am so shocked.. there should be nothing wrong with owning a pair of rubbers.

Actually if you think about it, if you go herping and catch a pair, it fish license is cheaper than mail order. :shrugs: And you get exercise as well. :grin01:

I wish you the best of luck and let us know what transpire. And nanci, I would think the same would go for Roseys as well since they are native to the state as well. I love my hetmet Rosy boas.
 
tricksterpup said:
I am so shocked.. there should be nothing wrong with owning a pair of rubbers.

Actually if you think about it, if you go herping and catch a pair, it fish license is cheaper than mail order. :shrugs: And you get exercise as well. :grin01:

I wish you the best of luck and let us know what transpire. And nanci, I would think the same would go for Roseys as well since they are native to the state as well. I love my hetmet Rosy boas.
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I don't think the same is true, because I have definitely seen rosy boas for sale in many pet stores in CA. Never a rubber, though...

And a CA fishing license may not be less than mailorder...at $40...it's pretty durn close ;)...but I get one every year, anyhow...
 
tyflier said:
I don't think the same is true, because I have definitely seen rosy boas for sale in many pet stores in CA. Never a rubber, though...

And a CA fishing license may not be less than mailorder...at $40...it's pretty durn close ;)...but I get one every year, anyhow...
Click to expand...
WOW.. MN its only $20..
That is a crazy state. lol
 
Yup...and it goes up every year...

At least I just had 3 more wild trout waters get approved for year round fishing. So at least I can get my money's worth. I went yesterday and caught a dozen or so brown trout in about 3 1/2 hours.... :crazy02:
 
I am no longer trying to make sense of the regulation... but from what I understand, there is a subspecies (debated by many as to whether or not it really is a subspecies) which is endangered.
However it is against the law to buy or sell ANY native California wildlife without express permission. Which as far as I understand it may be very difficult to obtain depending on the species.
Impossible for rubber boas unless you are a zoo or a college or whatever.

Now just to make it crazier, if I have 2 license caught rb's and they breed cause I cohabed, I am also required to turn over the babies to the state!!!!

A list I saw told me my limit is 3 for rb's..

I only want the one. The crazy thing is that as a result of this law to protect a supposedly threatened wildlife population, I am forced to take one from the wild rather than buy one captive bred!!
 
I have seen conflicting information on the internet so I emailed dfg.. this info is coming from a gent named Phil who is an enforcement officer..

Tyflier, is this the season to go for it? Or would you say it's early yet? Also will I need to buy the license for each outing or is one good for the season?

Thanks for your answers guys...
 
Up in my neck of the woods there has been some critter movement.. I have yet to find anything yet, but I have been told people are finding gopher snakes out here.. If I had a source of open water near by me I would be looking there for thirsty critters..

Regards.. Tim of T and J
 
tom e said:
I have seen conflicting information on the internet so I emailed dfg.. this info is coming from a gent named Phil who is an enforcement officer..

Tyflier, is this the season to go for it? Or would you say it's early yet? Also will I need to buy the license for each outing or is one good for the season?

Thanks for your answers guys...
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Still lot's of snow and ice above 8,000'. Maybe in the Crowely lake area, but your chances are slimmer. I would wait until late May or early June before I expected to see much activity in the highcountry. Tioga Pass, highway 120, through Tuolomne Meadows has not opened yet.

The "special permission" you need in order to breed california native snake species is a rather easily obtained permit from the DFG out of the headquarters in Sacremento. The hard part is the possiblity of a "facilities inspection", and I believe there may be an examination to prove your basic husbandry and breeding skills are "up to par". The application for permit is available at the DFG website for download. It's called the "Permit for Propogation of Native California Snake Species", and I believe it is renewable on a yearly basis. A $40 fishing license is the resident price for a full year(1/01 through 12/31). It is also my understanding that albino variations are exempt from this ruling. As a matter of fact, I am waiting on a phonecall from the local Lt. of the DFG regarding my application for the Permit to Propogate as well as a permit to capture and release native venomous species from residences and business properties. If I do it for free...I don't need a permit. But to charge for it as a service, I think I need a permit, but the Lt. is double-checking for me...(it pays to know the right people :) ).
 
Tyflier
Looks like I may have misread it.. Looks like he's talking about importation..
Does this mean I can buy it if I find a Ca. breeder?

By the way is that your Lt?

Here's the quote:
"Thomas Edwards: Lt. Liz Schwall asked me to respond to your question
regarding rubber boas, Genus Charina sp.

Fish and Game Commission regulations, Section 40 of Title 14 in the CA
Code of Regulation, prohibits the importation of any species of native
reptile or amphibian. Genus Charina is native to CA and it is illegal
to import into CA regardless of sub-species.

The only possibility of a permit being issued would be for the purpose
of scientific research by a bona fide institution.

You may contact me if you have additional questions regarding Fish and
Game laws and regulations in CA.

Phil Nelms
Law Enforcement Division"
 
I encourage anyone doing any herping in California to use this website as a resource: http://californiaherps.com/
There is a lot of great info on there and the guy that runs the site is really nice. He gave some pointers on where to find some of the snakes and lizards that I am looking for.

As far as Rubber Boas go, this is the perfect time of year in our neck of the woods. It might be a trek for you though. The nearest place to you would be the San Bernadino Mountains.
The reason this is the perfect time of the year is that Rubber Boas are out on days that are colder than most snake species prefer. And it's been cool lately, but not cold.
I'd suggest to go to the San Bernadino Mountains and look around some of the many creeks. Flip rocks and logs. This will probably be your best bet. Right now the weather is perfect for finding them during the day.
After it starts getting hot, your best bet will be to find them at night.
 
I don't know how strict the Game Wardens are in the San Bernardino Mts., but I know around here, if you start flipping over rocks and dead logs, you need to make sure you put them back the way you found them, or the wardens will ticket you. Plus, having 3 new streams open to year-round fishing with special regs...the Wardens are out in full force in the Eastern Sierra...just FYI...
 
tyflier said:
I don't know how strict the Game Wardens are in the San Bernardino Mts., but I know around here, if you start flipping over rocks and dead logs, you need to make sure you put them back the way you found them, or the wardens will ticket you. Plus, having 3 new streams open to year-round fishing with special regs...the Wardens are out in full force in the Eastern Sierra...just FYI...
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Agreed... but nevermind the legal ramifications, you should ALWAYS leave the habitat the way it was when you got there.
 
lefty_mussolini said:
Agreed... but nevermind the legal ramifications, you should ALWAYS leave the habitat the way it was when you got there.
Click to expand...
Yea...I guess I should have specified..."Leave No Trace" is ingrained in my psyche, and I often forget that not everyone has that...Thanks for the reminder!
 
tyflier said:
I don't think the same is true, because I have definitely seen rosy boas for sale in many pet stores in CA. Never a rubber, though...

And a CA fishing license may not be less than mailorder...at $40...it's pretty durn close ;)...but I get one every year, anyhow...
Click to expand...

Michigans basic license is $15.00. Add a trout stamp and it's 28 dollars. Not a bad price compared to Cali.
 
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