Are There ANY Hot Keepers In Connecticut?

[SteveJor]

I would like to get experience with hots but the only zoo in the state can't be bothered with free help and I no one I know who wants to move into keeping hots can get one because the state will not issue a permit.
Is there any way to get experience with hots in this state?
How do you get the experience/permit in this state?
Is this a lost cause?
I called the state and asked for the permit application and was told "we will not send it to you". When I asked why I was told, and I quote, "because you are an individual". This is the same response 2 of my friends have had.
The zoo won't help, the state won't help, what's going on? Are all states like this?
A buddy of mine was ready to try and find a timber rattlesnake or copperhead (they are native here) and learn with a WC one. I talked him out of it (thankfully) since he would be screwed if he got caught or bitten. Especially with the timber. That carries hefty fines if you catch one. Not to mention neither one of us would know the proper way to deal with the snake. I do not want to "learn from my mistakes".
I can't keep any constrictors over 4 feet in my town and I don't want a hot with the kids but a buddy of mine has the perfect setup. A room just for the snakes. He currently has the room dedicated to a ball python, a carpet python, and jet black, and mean, rat snake. Beautiful snake but what an attitude.
Anyway, can anyone offer some advice on how to go about getting some help in Connecticut.
Thanks.



_________________
Steve

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

	Wild caught wild caught

[SteveJor]

No one?
I guess there is no way to keep hots in CT.
[addsig]

	Venomous Reptile A term commonly used to refer to a venomous reptile. Most commonly used in reference to venomous snakes.

[BWSmith]

Connecticut:



Native Venomous: Permit required



Exotic Venomous: Permit required



Protected Native Venomous: Permit required

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus)



Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Wildlife Division

79 Elm Street

Hartford, CT 06102-5127


My advice is to contact them and try to find out other people that have the permit. Contact them and try to get experience through the permitted keepers. Best advice I can give.
[addsig]

If they're refusing you b/c you are an individual, then perhaps the timber rattler is listed as a protected species in Conn. ? It certainly sounds like it if there is a fine associated with catching one. If that is the case, that is why they are refusing you a permit. To get a permit to keep protected wildlife, you need to be affliated with a government agency and/or research through a post secondary institution.

Here in North Carolina, it is not legal to own a northern pine snake (Special Concern status), or a coral snake unless you fit into the above. They are protected by the state.

My advice would be to find out what species of native hots are protected. You will most likely NEVER be able to keep any that are protected unless you end up working for a university.

All states are VERY protective of their natural resources, including herps, believe it or not.

Most zoos accept volunteers, I find it funny that yours does not... perhaps you could try them again with no emphasis or mention of venomous snakes, instead perhaps general reptile interest, and then once your foot is in the door, you could ask the hot keeper some questions. I doubt they would let a volunteer be involved with hots, it opens them to too much liability if your were to get tagged...
[addsig]

[SteveJor]

They are flat out refusing the permit for ANY hot snake. They will not even send the application to me.

The timbers are protected and illegal to keep in CT. My buddy was ready to catch either a timber or copperhead. I finally convinced him not to take the chance.

I am interested in the eyelash vipers and the pygmy rattlers.

I never even got as far as telling the state what species I was interested in. The law says you need a permit but the the state will not issue the permit. Kinda like a catch 22.
[addsig]

[BWSmith]

My advice is to try to do some volenteer work for DNR or fish and game. Getting to know people is the key to sifting through govt red tape.
[addsig]

Or move out of CT [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] Besides, it's too #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& cold there anyway...

What Brian said makes good sense.

If you want a pygmy, move on down here and we'll go catch ya one [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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[Thade]

When they say that you are an "individual" that generally means that local law only allows permits to educational facilities and zoo type places. I would look up the state regs. It should state clearly there who can even have the permit. My guess is that you might want to move if you wanna keep a hot.
[addsig]