Field Herping Regulations

CALIFORNIA
     California's regulations regarding the taking of native California amphibians and reptiles are managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). California is a large state with a great diversity of habitats, and is home to approximately 80 different species and subspecies of native amphibians, and approximately 155 different species and subspecies of native reptiles. There are also an additional 22 recognized non-native herp species, or invasive herp species, that have made California their home. It is the sole responsibility of any individual who undertakes the activity of seeking out, capturing, collecting or handling these creatures, to understand and follow the laws of the State of California.

      California herp regulations are complex, and contain many special restrictions and instructions that, in many cases, are species specific. Many native California species are afforded total protection, and some are afforded protection only in specific geographical areas of the state, so it is crucial that these regulations are understood before venturing into the field. The current regulations are published as part of the 2019 - 2020 Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations. 

      Our friend Gary Nafis has gone to great lengths on his CaliforniaHerps.com website to break down and explain the California regulations as they apply to field herping in California. Gary has also assembled a list of the California species that do not appear on the "take" list in the current regulations handbook, which helps identify the species that may not be taken. 

      Please understand that comments you have read here, and comments you will read at CaliforniaHerps.com  regarding California State regulations, are not to be considered legal advice or completely accurate interpretations of the law. It is the sole responsibility of the individual to read the regulations, understand them, and abide by them. 

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ARIZONA
     Arizona is home to 25 different species of native amphibians and 107 species of native reptiles, and the regulations regarding the taking of these creatures are managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD). It is the sole responsibility of any individual who undertakes the activity of seeking out, capturing, collecting or handling these creatures, to understand and follow the laws of the State of Arizona.

    The 2019 & 2020 Arizona Reptile and Amphibian Regulations is a comprehensive document that includes open season dates for all amphibians and reptiles that are legal to take, describes open hunting areas, bag and possession limits, and includes references to special notes regarding the different species. The state protects a number of amphibian and reptile species which are shown in the regulations as having "No Open Season", and therefore may not be taken at any time from any region of the state.  The regulations also define, in detail, the legal methods of take for all "open season" species. 

​      Arizona law requires residents and non-residents of the age of 10 years and older to have a valid AZ Hunting License or combination Hunting/Fishing License to take reptiles, or a valid AZ Fishing License or combination Hunting/Fishing License to take amphibians. More information regarding Arizona Hunting and Fishing Licenses, and online license sales are available at this website: https://www.azgfd.com/License 

      DISCLAIMER: Please understand that the comments you have read here regarding Arizona State regulations are not to be considered legal advice or completely accurate interpretations of the law. It is the sole responsibility of the individual to read the regulations, understand them, and abide by them. 

A copy of the current Arizona Reptile and Amphibian Regulations can be accessed with this link:

2019 & 2020 Arizona Reptile and Amphibian Regulations