Pets banned in every state

Owner beware: Your pet mongoose is not welcome here.

Exotic animal ownership requires not only a willingness to intendance for unusual animals, simply an understanding of the laws that regulate wildlife in particular states.

Laws vary widely across the country, but all are designed with the intent to protect public wellness and safety from animals considered to be inherently dangerous.

Banned animals range from the more obvious—lions, tigers, bears, wolves—to the obscure, such as mongooses (prohibited in Alabama) and the raccoon dog (banned in both South Dakota and Kentucky). Some regulations appear nonsensical: In Colorado, you tin can ain a bison, but non a hedgehog. Bummer.

Some states take exceptions or require owners to obtain permits for particular animals, while a handful of states take no specific requirements for owning wild fauna as pets. Many states are clear most the penalties for illegally owning exotic pets, which can range from fees to criminal charges.

Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Gild of the United states, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

Read on to see which pets are banned in your home state, as well every bit beyond the nation.

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Jim Harper // Wikimedia Commons

Alabama

- Banned pets: mongoose, jackrabbit, moose, deer, elk, fox

Alabama has a long list of banned species: the mongoose, jackrabbit, moose, deer, elk, play a joke on, walking catfish, piranha, raccoons from outside of the state, wild rabbits or hare, coyote, skunk, and wild turkey, among others. Alabama likewise explicitly prohibits the release of whatever turkey (wild or tame) or nutria (a species of large, aquatic rodent). Residents cannot own any protected wild bird or animal, except with written permission from a designated employee of the Section of Conservation and Natural Resource.

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Mas3cf // Wikimedia Commons

Alaska

- Banned pets: bears, monkeys, wolves, and other live game animals

Alaska is one of many states that regulate exotic animal ownership through permits. Bears, monkeys, wolves, and live game animals are banned. Alaska will not issue permits for the "capture, possession, import, or export of any game animal" for use as a pet. But some animals can be owned as pets, like reindeer, llamas, and one-humped camels (dromedaries), as long as they aren't released into the wild. Some species can be temporarily released for the purpose of hunting or falcon preparation.

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Tambako The Jaguar // Flickr

Arizona

- Banned pets: jaguars, non-domestic canines, non-domestic felines, alligators, crocodiles, cobras, vipers

Don't bring your jaguar to Arizona—the species is banned in the state, though Arizona does allow residents to own sure wild animals as pets as long as they obtain special licenses and permits.

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Arkansas

- Banned pets: panthera leo, tiger, bear, six or more bobcats, rabbits, quail, ape, baboon, macaque

If you own six or more bobcats, you're out of luck in Arkansas. That specific amount of bobcats is prohibited, as are whatsoever lions, tigers, bears, rabbits, quails, apes, baboons, and macaques. Under sure weather, however, wolves are immune. People can legally ain big carnivores only if they had the animal on or before the date the regulation went into effect—and even then, they must meet other requirements, including securing an almanac permit for personal possession.

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Marieke IJsendoorn-Kuijpers // Flickr

California

- Banned pets: wolverine, bighorn sheep, falcon

Wolverine, bighorn sheep, and shrews are some of the more unusual animals banned in the Gilded State. California law calls out specific wild species that "pose a threat to native wildlife, the agriculture interests of the state or to public health or safe."

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Colorado

- Banned pets: general wildlife, wildebeest, raccoon, hedgehog, monk parakeet

Colorado law notes that there is "growing interest in the private possession of alive wildlife" only also "considerable defoliation over the laws regarding such private possession." The country more often than not bans owning any species of wild animals native to Colorado, as well every bit exotic animals. There are some exceptions, however. You can own up to six alive native reptiles or amphibians as pets, except for specifically banned species. Falcons, hawks, and eagles are allowed for falconry purposes.

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Connecticut

- Banned pets: panthera leo, leopard, bobcat, wolf, bear, chimpanzee

Connecticut considers the following animals to be unsafe and, as such, prohibited: the lion, leopard, chetah, jaguar, ocelot, jaguarundi true cat, puma, lynx, bobcat, wolf, coyote, and any species of conduct. Those found in violation of the constabulary face a fine of up to $100 for each offense.

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Delaware

- Banned pets: full general wildlife, non-native poisonous snakes

Delaware residents cannot ain wildlife not native to or generally establish in Delaware without a special allow. Non-native poisonous snakes are as well specifically banned. Those who break the law face a fine of upwards to $500 and/or a prison house judgement up to 30 days.

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Florida

- Banned pets: chimpanzees, tigers, lions, crocodiles, jaguars, leopards, venomous reptiles

In 2011, a Florida adult female and her boyfriend were sentenced to 12 years in prison subsequently their Burmese python escaped from its cage and strangled the woman'southward 2-year-old daughter to expiry. Venomous reptiles, also as crocodiles, chimpanzees, tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards are banned in the land. Some wild animals are allowed via special permit.

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Georgia

- Banned pets: kangaroo, monkey, fob, wolf, crocodile, alligator, cobra

In Georgia, specific animals are banned unless the owner gets a wild animal license or permit, and fifty-fifty that choice is limited to certain groups—like those in the wholesale or retail wild animal business, those exhibiting wild animals to the public, and those using the animals for scientific or educational purposes. Animals including kangaroos, monkeys, foxes, wolves, crocodiles, alligators, and cobras are considered "inherently unsafe" to humans under land law.

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Hawaii

- Banned pets: panthera leo, leopard, cheetah, wolf, coyote, black bear, grizzly deport, brown bear

Hawaii explicitly bans the "uncontrolled" introduction of exotic animals, which present "serious danger to the agronomical, horticultural, and aquacultural industries, natural resource, and surroundings of Hawaii." The law allows for an ad hoc console made upwards of at to the lowest degree 3 people with expertise in vertebrate biology to determine if an animal should be added to the banned list.

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Idaho

- Banned pets: big cats, all non-native canidae species, primates

Idaho law prohibits any non-native animal that is determined to be "dangerous to the environment, livestock, agriculture, or wildlife of the state." People tin only own exotic animals with special permits. "Deleterious" animals include deer, wolves, cheetahs, jaguars, lions, tigers, sheep, and the European hedgehog (American hedgehogs welcome!), among others.

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Illinois

- Banned pets: big cat species, wolves, jaguars, poisonous life-threatening reptiles

Illinois prohibits the ownership of designated "dangerous" animals with special exceptions for zoos, federally licensed exhibits, circuses, scientific or educational institutions, research laboratories, veterinary hospitals, or animate being refuges. The following animals are considered dangerous under state constabulary: panthera leo, tiger, leopard, ocelot, jaguar, chetah, margay, mountain lion, lynx, bobcat, jaguarundi, bear, hyena, wolf, coyote, and any poisonous or life-threatening reptile. Violations of this law can event in a misdemeanor charge.

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Indiana

- Banned pets: beaver, coyote, raccoon, skunk, wolf, venomous reptiles

Without permits, people in Indiana cannot own the following: foxes, raccoons, skunks, wolves, bears, wild cats, venomous reptiles, or crocodiles. The permits cost $10 each. If an "emergency exists"—i.due east. the animal is in the position to harm another animal—that permit can be suspended.

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Iowa

- Banned pets: wolf, hyena, leopard, bear, primate, crocodile, cobra, python

A cautionary tale for exotic animal owners: Last summer in Iowa, a 2-yr-one-time girl was attacked by a pet wolf, sustaining injuries to her arm and hand. The wolf was after euthanized. Other prohibited animals include hyenas, leopards, bears, primates, crocodiles, cobras, and pythons. Those who ain legal exotic animals in Iowa are discipline to annual registration fees; a pet elephant, for example, volition set you back $500 each year.

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Kansas

- Banned pets: lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, acquit, non-native venomous snake

Kansas bans large cats, bears, and non-native venomous snakes. Legal exotic pets come with stringent requirements, including registration fees, inspections, insurance coverage, and a "written recovery plan" in the issue that the beast escapes.

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Kentucky

- Banned pets: tiger, panthera leo, bear, alligator, dear badger, raccoon dog

In Kentucky, "inherently dangerous" exotic animals—including primates, tigers, lions, bears, alligators, and dear badgers—are prohibited, unless they were owned before July 13, 2005, when the police was enacted. Other banned animals include weavers, flying foxes, jackrabbits, and raccoon dogs.

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Louisiana

- Banned pets: bear, wolf, tiger, king of beasts, leopard, jaguar, primate, trick

In the state of Louisiana, certain "potentially dangerous" quadrupeds, big exotic cats, and not-human being primates are considered to pose "significant hazards to public safety and health" and are deemed "detrimental to the welfare of the animals." The police force warns that the "size and forcefulness of such animals in concert with their natural and unpredictable and/or predatory nature can outcome in severe injury or decease when an attack upon a human being occurs." Bears, wolves, non-human primates, and big exotic cats are not immune—just with a permit, yous can ain a wolf/dog hybrid or venomous serpent.

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Maine

- Banned pets: behave, moose, wild turkey, deer, lion, cheetah, wolf, monkey, camel, alligator, monk parakeet, mute swan

In Maine, a allow is required to ain most wild birds or animals. Several species are not immune, still: bear, moose, wild turkey, deer, lion, chetah, wolf, monkey, camel, alligator, monk parakeet, and swan. But the emu, domestic ferret, sugar glider, and chinchilla are allowed without a permit.

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Maryland

- Banned pets: fox, bear, alligator, tiger, leopard, wolf, monkey, certain venomous snakes, skunk

Maryland prohibits the ownership of foxes, bears, alligators, tigers, leopards, wolves, monkeys, certain venomous snakes, and skunks. Consequences for violating the law are more than astringent here, where it'south considered a misdemeanor; if bedevilled, you are subject to up to $ane,000 in fines.

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Rushen // Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts

- Banned pets: non-domesticated, non-hybrid wildlife unless specifically exempted

In Massachusetts, state law warns that wild fauna, "regardless of whether or not they are born in captivity, often revert to their wild nature when sexually mature and can do considerable harm to persons." At that place are v classes of special licenses available to own exotic animals.

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su neko // Wikimedia Eatables

Michigan

- Banned pets: tiger, leopard, chetah, lion, cougar, deport, wolf-hybrid (exceptions utilize)

Michigan devotes several provisions to the regulation of wolf-dogs in memory of Angie Nickerson, a v-yr-old who was killed past the animate being in 1989. Her mother advocated for the passage of legislation to prevent future deaths by wolf-dogs and other potentially dangerous animals.

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Minnesota

- Banned pets: "regulated animals" including conduct, tiger, chetah, leopard, monkey, lemur (exceptions apply)

Minnesota has a designated list of "regulated animals" that are not allowed, including lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, servals, bears, and non-human primates. Those who qualify for exemption to own a regulated animal must have registered the animal by March two, 2005. A person who knowingly violates this law in Minnesota can exist charged with a misdemeanor; if an beast causes bodily harm, the possessor can likewise face up a prison judgement of up to ninety days and/or a fine of up to $i,000.

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Mississippi

- Banned pets: orangutans, macaques, mandrills, baboons, hyenas, elephants

Mississippi residents must obtain permits to ain certain exotic animals considered unsafe. Before the permit is issued, the applicant must provide proof of liability insurance—$100,000 for each wild animal, up to a maximum of $ane million. Public zoos, university research facilities, governmental agencies, transient circuses, and rehabilitation or sanctuary facilities may be exempted from the let, if the exemption is approved by a commission.

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Missouri

- Banned pets: unregistered dangerous wild fauna including ocelot, leopard, monkey, tiger, bear, wolf

In Missouri, owners of "dangerous" wild animals—including lions, wolves, or poisonous reptiles—must annals their pets with their local law enforcement agency. Those who pause the police force face a misdemeanor accuse.

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BirdPhotos.com // Wikimedia Commons

Montana

- Banned pets: ape, bat, gibbon, raccoon, skunk, alligator; more than one large bear or large cat without permit

In Montana, keeping more than than 1 carry, large true cat, or a hybrid of a wild beast is banned without a permit. Permit and wellness certificates are required to bring certain animals into the country.

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Nebraska

- Banned Pets: bear, tiger, leopard, wolf, skunk

Special permits are required for exotic animal ownership in Nebraska, merely some animals are still not allowed no affair what—namely, bears, tigers, leopards, wolves, and skunks.

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Nevada

- Banned pets: alligator, crocodile, bat, coyote, fox, raccoon, moose

Pet crocodiles are banned in Nevada, but if you own an elephant, you lot're within state law. Explicitly prohibited animals include alligators, bats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and moose.

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New Hampshire

- Banned pets: conduct, tiger, leopard, monkey, ape, wolf, poisonous reptile, monkey

Similar many other states, New Hampshire bans bears, tigers, leopards, monkeys, apes, wolves, poisonous reptiles, and monkeys. Permits are required for some but not all species—if y'all ain a chinchilla, ferret, llama, sugar glider, camel, or bison, you're in the articulate.

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New Jersey

- Banned pets: monkey, bear, tiger, leopard, crocodile, viper, cobra, alligator, prairie dog

Unusual animals banned in New Jersey include vipers, ring-necked parakeets, and gila monsters (a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States). Owners of these and other prohibited "potentially dangerous" animals must take "extensive experience in maintaining" the animal, submit a written statement of purpose for ownership, and meet other requirements in guild to obtain a permit.

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New Mexico

- Banned pets: crocodile, monkey, alligator, wolf, skunk, tiger, leopard, bear

Commonly banned wildlife are prohibited in New Mexico, such every bit wolves, tigers, and bears. The state requires permits to import or own not-domestic animals.

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New York

- Banned pets: "wild animals" including tiger, leopard, monkey, cheetah, acquit, crocodile

If you're interested in a marsupial or other exotic mammal, New York may be your place. The carbohydrate glider, wallaby, kangaroo, capybara, and porcupine are allowed sans permit in the state. But you lot'll need a permit for sure other wild animals, including wolves, coyotes, foxes, skunks, and raccoons.

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Nevit Dilmen // Wikimedia Commons

N Carolina

- Banned pets: possession of unsafe animals regulated by cities and counties

In Northward Carolina, counties and cities can, by ordinance, regulate, restrict, or prohibit the possession of dangerous animals. Unique bans in the state include the ringtail, a mammal of the raccoon family unit, and the marten, a small cannibal mammal that's a fellow member of the Mustelidae family. Permits to ain these and other banned animals are only given to inquiry institutes, public displays, or organized entertainment such as zoos or circuses.

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Due north Dakota

- Banned pets: skunk, raccoon, venomous reptile

In Due north Dakota, licenses are required for animals that are "indistinguishable from wild, indigenous species or nowadays a health take a chance to wild and domestic species" and those that are considered inherently or environmentally dangerous. A "nontraditional livestock informational quango" reviews special license applications.

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Ohio

- Banned pets: panthera leo, tiger, deport, elephant, alligator, monkey, serval

The land of Ohio considers hippopotami, Komodo dragons, and howler monkeys, among other animals, dangerous. Snakes that are 12 feet or longer are besides prohibited. Permits are required for sure situations, including exempted dangerous animals.

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Oklahoma

- Banned pets: illegal to own wildlife without license (police force doesn't cite specific animals)

Any unlicensed wildlife is off the tabular array in Oklahoma. Permits are available for $48. If convicted of breaking this law, yous face up a fine of no less than $100 and the revocation of your wildlife license, if y'all have one.

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Oregon

- Banned pets: wildcat, primate, any canine not ethnic to Oregon

Oregon residents must obtain a permit from the State Section of Agronomics to own exotic animals—although exemptions are in identify for certain situations. People with disabilities who rely on service monkeys, for example, would be granted an exemption. But in 2011, the Associated Press reported that the state would not issue any new permits until the existing population of exotic pets thins out over the form of time.

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Pennsylvania

- Banned pets: tiger, lion, monkey, crocodile, leopard

Those who want to accept exotic animals as pets in Pennsylvania must go a let from the country wildlife committee. It is illegal to "neglect to practice due care in safeguarding the public from attack by exotic wild animals," and anyone who violates that police is subject to penalties including fines.

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Bernard DUPONT // Wikimedia Eatables

Rhode Island

- Banned pets: permit required for primates, carnivores, amphibia, reptilia, canidae, and insecta

To protect the people of Rhode Island from concrete damage and illness, a permit is required to own wild fauna. If a legally owned wild animal poses a threat to public safety in some way, police enforcement can confiscate it.

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USFWS Pacific Southwest Region // Wikimedia Commons

Due south Carolina

- Banned pets: coyote, wolf, tiger, lion, not-native carry, great ape

Until this yr, South Carolina was one of v states across the country with no restrictions on owning wildlife. On Jan. 1, 2018, a new law made it illegal to own big cats, apes, or non-native bears. Wolves, coyotes, peccaries (certain species related to pigs), bison, mountain goats, mountain sheep, bears, turkeys, and furbearers are besides banned.

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S Dakota

- Banned pets: non-domestic hog, raccoon dog

Non-domestic pigs and raccoon dogs are specifically prohibited in South Dakota. Permits are necessary to own whatever kind of non-domestic mammals. All animals are subject to a veterinarian exam and must exist gratuitous of any contagious, infectious, epidemic, or communicable illness.

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Tennessee

- Banned pets: baboon, wolf, bear, lion, tiger, elephant, rhinoceros

In Tennessee, v different classes of animals come with different requirements. Native species can simply be possessed by zoos and temporary exhibitors, while residents can ain animals such equally rabbits, chinchillas, and llamas without a permit.

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Texas

- Banned pets: king of beasts, tiger, ocelot, cougar, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, chimpanzee, orangutan

Texas requires a certificate of registration to ain what it considers dangerous wild animals. If an brute attacks a human being, the owner must notify the registration bureau inside 48 hours—and if it escapes, immediately.

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Utah

- Banned pets: cheetah, monkey, ape, gorilla, kangaroo, lemur

Utah residents are required to obtain a registration certificate to ain certain "controlled" species, while other animals are specifically prohibited. If yous're a reptile enthusiast, you should know that it's legal to own a desert night cadger with a permit, merely the Glen Coulee chuckwalla (a relative of the iguana) is banned.

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Matthew Hoelscher // Flickr

Vermont

- Banned pets: comport, lion, tiger, wolf, gorilla, monkey

Permits are required in Vermont to own restricted wild fauna. However, unrestricted animals include llamas, bison, ostriches, and alligators, among others.

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Liaka ac // Wikimedia Commons

Virginia

- Banned pets: behave, wolf, coyote, weasel, annoy, hyena

In Virginia, it's illegal to own non-native exotic animals that are considered predatory or undesirable as a pet. According to the state, non-native exotic animals include, but are not limited to: bears, wolves, coyotes, weasels, badgers, hyenas, all species of non-domesticated cats, alligators, and crocodiles.

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Thomas Brown // Wikimedia Commons

Washington

- Banned pets: crocodile, elephant, lion, tiger, cheetah, hyena

Washington bans many of the usual suspects: bears, certain types of snakes, and the like. People who endemic banned animals before the law took consequence were allowed to keep their animals until they pass.

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Westward Virginia

- Banned pets: king of beasts, tiger, bear, elephant, gray wolf, cheetah, alligator, crocodile, hyena

West Virginia's exotic animals law aims to protect not only humans and domesticated animals from potential impairment, merely also to prevent the "mistreatment" of wild fauna themselves. People tin can utilise for permits to own animals considered potentially dangerous; those who break the law face a misdemeanor charge and a fee of upwardly to $2,000 for each prohibited animal.

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Wisconsin

- Banned pets: cougar, blackness acquit, raccoon, bobcat

It's illegal to ain a wild animal in Wisconsin without a license, with some exemptions. Permits are not required to ain chipmunks, rats, squirrels, weasels, and pocket gophers, among other species.

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Wyoming

- Banned pets: large game animals, trophy game, wolf, wolf hybrids

Large-game and trophy animals are banned in Wyoming. Antelope, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, moose, and mountain goats are categorized as big-game animals; trophy animals include black bears, grizzly bears, and mountain lions. Permits are required for some wildlife.

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