29.506 Taxidermists.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(am) “Identification numbers" include numbers that appear on identification tags under sub. (5) (b), registration numbers, and carcass tag numbers.

(b) “Taxidermist" means a person who mounts or preserves the carcass of any wild animal for consideration.

(2) Permit requirements. No person may engage in business as a taxidermist unless he or she is issued a taxidermist permit subject to s. 29.024 by the department. This subsection does not apply to agents or employees of taxidermists while working under the direct supervision of a taxidermist permit holder.

(3) Permits. The department may not issue a taxidermist permit to any person unless that person has a seller's permit issued by the department of revenue and the number of the seller's permit is reported on the application form.

(4) Authorization. Subject to this section, a taxidermist permit authorizes the permit holder to possess and transport carcasses of wild animals in connection with his or her business. This authority supersedes, to the extent permitted under this section, restrictions on the possession and transportation of carcasses of wild animals established under this chapter and ch. 169. A taxidermist permit entitles the permit holder to the same privileges as a Class A fur dealer's license.

(5) Prohibition on commingling carcasses; carcass identification.

(a) Commingling. No person may commingle, store, possess or transport carcasses of wild animals received in connection with his or her business with carcasses of wild animals received for any other purpose. This paragraph does not require separate refrigeration units for carcasses of wild animals received in connection with a person's business, if properly identified and recorded under pars. (b) and (c), and carcasses of wild animals received for any other purpose.

(b) Carcass identification. A person who receives the carcass of any wild animal in connection with his or her business as a taxidermist shall attach an identification tag to the carcass and record information concerning the owner of the carcass. The identification tag shall remain with the carcass while it is in the possession or under the control of the taxidermist. Each identification tag shall have an identification number that corresponds with the information record prepared by or for the owner of the carcass as specified under par. (c).

(c) Owner information. The information record prepared by or for the owner shall include the owner's name, address, and signature; a description of the carcass; the date on which the carcass is received by the taxidermist; and all identification numbers that are related to the carcass.

(d) Salvage and spare parts. Paragraphs (b) and (c) do not apply to salvage or spare parts of any carcass owned by a taxidermist that are used for repair or replacement purposes.

(5m) Control of cervid carcasses. No taxidermist may possess, transport, or control the carcass of a cervid in violation of rules promulgated by the department under s. 29.063 (3) or (4).

(6) Records. A taxidermist shall maintain records on sales forms, in triplicate, as required by the department. These records shall include information records prepared by or for the owner as required under sub. (5) (c), records of all other wild animal carcasses received in his or her place of business and records of deliveries and shipments of wild animal carcasses. Records related to the effective period of a taxidermist permit shall be maintained for 2 years following the end of that effective period. This subsection does not apply to salvage or spare parts of any carcass owned by a taxidermist that are used for repair or replacement purposes.

(7) Inspections.

(a) Departmental authority; limitations. A warden may enter a taxidermist's place of business for inspection purposes as provided under par. (b) only:

1. Between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

2. On weekdays, excluding legal holidays.

3. Upon presentation of his or her credentials to the taxidermist or an employee or agent of the taxidermist.

(b) Items subject to inspection. All records required under subs. (5) (b) and (c) and (6) or related to the taxidermist's business are subject to departmental inspection as provided under par. (a). A taxidermist or an employee or agent of the taxidermist shall cooperate with and exhibit items subject to inspection to a warden or any other agent of the department.

(c) Report. If requested, the department shall issue a report concerning any inspection conducted under this subsection.

(7m) Taxidermy school permit.

(a) The department shall issue a taxidermy school permit to a person who applies for the permit; who, on August 15, 1991, holds a valid taxidermist permit issued under this section; and who, on August 15, 1991, operates a taxidermy school approved by the educational approval board under s. 38.51, 1989 stats.

(b) A taxidermy school permit authorizes the holder of the permit to purchase muskellunge, bass, bluegill, sunfish, crappie, rock bass or northern pike, or the carcass of these fish, from persons who caught the fish and to resell the fish only to students enrolled in a taxidermy course at the taxidermy school operated by the purchaser. For purposes of this paragraph, a taxidermy course may not include a correspondence course in taxidermy.

(c) A taxidermy school permit issued under this subsection shall limit the number of each species of fish that the operator of the taxidermy school may possess on any given date to the number that the taxidermy school needs for its course of instruction for a period of 2 years beginning on that date.

(d) For the species of fish specified in par. (b), a holder of a taxidermy school permit issued under this subsection shall comply with the tagging and information requirements under sub. (5) (b) and (c) and the recording requirements under sub. (6) and shall allow inspections as authorized under sub. (7).

(8) Penalties. Any person who violates this section is subject to the following penalties:

(a) For a first conviction for any violation, a forfeiture of not more than $25.

(b) For a 2nd or subsequent conviction for any violation within 3 years of any previous violation, a forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $500.

History: 1985 a. 29; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 s. 9154 (1); 1997 a. 27; 1997 a. 248 ss. 297 to 300; Stats. 1997 s. 29.506; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 56; 2005 a. 22, 25, 286; 2015 a. 89; 2017 a. 59.