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From: mmm@cup.portal.com (Mark Robert Thorson)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Collecting Biological Specimens in USA
Message-ID: <38998@cup.portal.com>
Date: 7 Feb 91 06:03:34 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 15

What are the rules on collecting biological specimens?  I seem to
recall that there is a federal law which prevents collecting most
types of non-game wild birds.  I also remember hearing about some
fishermen (recent immigrants from Asia) who got in trouble for
harvesting "trash" fish (i.e. fish not recognized as eatin' fish).

Can I catch non-endangered insects to my heart's content?  Can I
pick up a dead bird at the side of the road and taxidermize it?
Can I go scuba diving with a net, picking up all the little fishes
that catch my eye?  How about lizards and frogs and the like?

Is there a government publication or something which would help
me recognize endangered species?  In particular, are there any
special rules which apply to Hawaii?  Also, do I need a license or
something for any of these activities?