Gar Legality

[Polypterus]

I'll concede that gars are legal in CO. But, not because of what's been posted by toyfish. By his argument (no pissing match offered), along with gars, the allowance also includes walking cats, zebra mussels, and snakeheads.
Hence, the argument (I didn't say pissing match) that 'gars (and other species)' are exempt from the prohibited list if kept in public aquaria is misleading and false.

They are listed as legal to own but they are not legal to import into the state.
SOOOOOOOOO...... They really are not legal. Colorado has a notoriously difficult to read set of wildlife ordinances. You may read something is legal in one area only to find out it is illegal in another.. This is a great example of that. Sure you can own it in an aquaria but you really can't import it so really it is Illegal if you own it in an aquarium.

And I'm too old to get into another pissing match

 

[E_americanus]

They are listed as legal to own but they are not legal to import into the state.
SOOOOOOOOO...... They really are not legal. Colorado has a notoriously difficult to read set of wildlife ordinances. You may read something is legal in one area only to find out it is illegal in another.. This is a great example of that. Sure you can own it in an aquaria but you really can't import it so really it is Illegal if you own it in an aquarium.

And I'm too old to get into another pissing match

yeah, seems like another case where annoying ambiguity and unclear regulations cause more confusion for fishkeepers or anyone trying to figure out the law.
in the end, for better or worse in this case, it seems like if you are in Colorado and have gar in an aquarium and are not going to release it...you are probably ok. USFWs and plenty of other agencies likely have bigger fish to fry...unfortunately, that's how people get away with things in California (where it is clearly stated gars are illegal, yet there are plenty that are sold, owned, and advertised even on forum).

all that being said, i gotta run...i have about 20 bighead and silver carp that have grown too large for their 20 gallon tanks, so i'm just going to dump them in Lake Michigan...--
--solomon

 

[Polypterus]

all that being said, i gotta run...i have about 20 bighead and silver carp that have grown too large for their 20 gallon tanks, so i'm just going to dump them in Lake Michigan...--
--solomon

I thought you promised to dump them in Erie first...

 

[Wiggles92]

They are listed as legal to own but they are not legal to import into the state.
SOOOOOOOOO...... They really are not legal. Colorado has a notoriously difficult to read set of wildlife ordinances. You may read something is legal in one area only to find out it is illegal in another.. This is a great example of that. Sure you can own it in an aquaria but you really can't import it so really it is Illegal if you own it in an aquarium.

And I'm too old to get into another pissing match

yeah, seems like another case where annoying ambiguity and unclear regulations cause more confusion for fishkeepers or anyone trying to figure out the law.
in the end, for better or worse in this case, it seems like if you are in Colorado and have gar in an aquarium and are not going to release it...you are probably ok. USFWs and plenty of other agencies likely have bigger fish to fry...unfortunately, that's how people get away with things in California (where it is clearly stated gars are illegal, yet there are plenty that are sold, owned, and advertised even on forum).

Okay, that makes sense.

So basically the only way for gars to be legally owned in CO is for them to have come from a breeder who had them prior to these laws taking effect which is highly unlikely. Gars that are shipped in to CO from other states and countries are thereby illegal by that logic, right?

Well, time for yet another change to the "Gar Legality Around the World" thread...

all that being said, i gotta run...i have about 20 bighead and silver carp that have grown too large for their 20 gallon tanks, so i'm just going to dump them in Lake Michigan...--
--solomon

I thought you promised to dump them in Erie first...

 

[Bderick67]

They are listed as legal to own but they are not legal to import into the state.
SOOOOOOOOO...... They really are not legal. Colorado has a notoriously difficult to read set of wildlife ordinances. You may read something is legal in one area only to find out it is illegal in another.. This is a great example of that. Sure you can own it in an aquaria but you really can't import it so really it is Illegal if you own it in an aquarium.

And I'm too old to get into another pissing match

Where is it that you read that they are not legal for import into Colorado?

Okay, that makes sense.

So basically the only way for gars to be legally owned in CO is for them to have come from a breeder who had them prior to these laws taking effect which is highly unlikely. Gars that are shipped in to CO from other states and countries are thereby illegal by that logic, right?

Well, time for yet another change to the "Gar Legality Around the World" thread..

I would hope your not changing the thread based on Pejelajarto's post. He has not given any info supporting that gars are illegal for import.

 

[Bderick67]

I'll concede that gars are legal in CO. But, not because of what's been posted by toyfish. By his argument (no pissing match offered), along with gars, the allowance also includes walking cats, zebra mussels, and snakeheads.
Hence, the argument (I didn't say pissing match) that 'gars (and other species)' are exempt from the prohibited list if kept in public aquaria is misleading and false.

I agree very misleading. Still have to go with part D of the law, along with what is federally banned. The (ANS) list eliminates some of those on the prohibited list, such as the crays, mussels and fleas. As for the federally banned, well much like the "legal" marijuana in the state of Colorado, the feds just come in and do the busting.

D. No person shall import, transport, possess, or release any aquatic nuisance species (ANS) except as authorized by the Division of Wildlife or permit issued under Title 35 C.R.S.

 

[E_americanus]

I thought you promised to dump them in Erie first...

that was saturday after our meeting

 

[Polypterus]

Where is it that you read that they are not legal for import into Colorado? (Where have you read they where)



I would hope your not changing the thread based on Pejelajarto's post. He has not given any info supporting that gars are illegal for import.

May have just got that info from Hmmmm where did I...... Oh yes from the source that might give the best possible explanation of the specifics.

Which a part of I shall now release and will follow... for you to pursue if you wish.

Tend to know a bit about this stuff in case ya just do not know... Sorry if I just do not bother much these days with proving things to all people (An exercise in utter futility when someone just will not listen anyhow).. Google can help with that just fine in many cases.

Ryan I'm sure understands though that direct statements from me do not come out of thin air or my Butt.... NEWS FLASH Some people do this stuff with these fish for more than keeping them in Glass boxes. Those whom know us know we do not generate "opinions" we give factual up to date and relevant info. Maybe sometimes it is not always fully spelled out because.... Well.... We like it when you think about things sometimes or actually look the stuff up yourself sometimes.

[FONT=&quot]Mr. (Edited by me Peje)
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]You are correct, the regulation you quoted does mean that it is legal to possess those fish as pets without a permit in private aquaria.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The importation of the fish would still fall under the same regulations under Article VII, 012 C. for private aquaria. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thank you for checking,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Kathy[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]

[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Kathy Konishi[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Colorado Division of Wildlife[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Special Licensing Unit[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6060 Broadway[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Denver, CO 80216-1000[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]303-291-7143 (phone)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]303.346.4541 (fax)[/FONT]








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[pharmaecopia]

This has been an interesting thread. Reminds me that when I get the time I should send wiggles some info to update the canada gar legality section.

 

[Polypterus]

that was saturday after our meeting

Excellent... So how are the Endangered Feeders working out so far?