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Collecting Hellbenders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) in Pennsylvania

I

Intense Herpetoculture

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I am interested in collecting a small group of adult/subadult hellbenders in Pennsylvania for a private breeding project. I'm currently researching information on finding this species in the wild, so I am asking people on Fauna if they have any experience with this species in the state of Pennsylvania. Primarily interested in obtaining locality information of large populations that can be taken legally with the permission of the landowner.
 
I believe that C. alleganiensis can be legally taken from pretty much any water in Pennsylvania. I have heard that the allegheny national forest may have a population. Legally, you can posess only two of any pennsylvania reptile or amphibian (with the exception of endangered species), so collecting a group is out of the question. A private land owner may be able to supply you with more than two, but I'm not sure of the legalities of that. I've had freinds go looking for C. alleganiensis and not find anything. Check with local fishermen, and you may need a fishing license.
PFBC Reptile and Amphibian page: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/amp_rep.htm
 
From what I understand some people spend years looking and get lucky to see one. I will be out and about in central PA soon looking around. Maybe I will get lucky, not counting on it though.
 
I live on a small creek that drains into the upper ally about 5 miles from the kinzu dam there are lots of hellbenders , mudpuppys in this area, with fishing season opening soon you can find them dead at most fishining spots as many people belive they are poisonous, stupidity ! you can keep two of each but can not buy or sell them only snapping turtles may be sold in P.A 15 per day , I have a large mudpuppy in a 50 gallon tank they are neat to watch, have not tried to keep a hellbender would guess it could be tough to do, for more info email me
 
tandy4000 said:
I believe that C. alleganiensis can be legally taken from pretty much any water in Pennsylvania. I have heard that the allegheny national forest may have a population. Legally, you can posess only two of any pennsylvania reptile or amphibian (with the exception of endangered species), so collecting a group is out of the question. A private land owner may be able to supply you with more than two, but I'm not sure of the legalities of that. I've had freinds go looking for C. alleganiensis and not find anything. Check with local fishermen, and you may need a fishing license.
PFBC Reptile and Amphibian page: http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/amp_rep.htm
Click to expand...
I don't know squat about the laws in PA, but if they are in the National forest wouldn't they be protected? I get these designations (park, forest, etc.) mixed up, so not quite sure, myself.
As far as private property I don't think that would nulify the possession laws.
 
From reading the laws you can not collect in parks, and private property does not remove the limit of 2. Luckily there are two of us coming!

reptilebreeder said:
I don't know squat about the laws in PA, but if they are in the National forest wouldn't they be protected? I get these designations (park, forest, etc.) mixed up, so not quite sure, myself.
As far as private property I don't think that would nulify the possession laws.
Click to expand...
 
I lived on the monogahela river for many years in PA and a lot of the tributaries up near the begining (first 25 miles) of the river have hellbenders. They need really clean and cool water all the time. There is also a water fall at the begining of the monogahela that they can be found in.
 
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