First I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and ideas regarding the legality of mute swans in California.

Unfortunately it is looking very bleak. A new law was passed a few months back that none of the swan breeders or keepers were aware of regarding mute swans. Cal code 14, 671 describes all of the "invasive species" of animals that are no longer legal in Calif. and the mute swan is the only swan listed. There is no grandfathering of swans and there is no grace period. Permits are possible but not probable, the only two ways to get a permit is to be a breeder or a zoo.

Even mute swans that were born and bred in Calif. must be shipped out of the state or destroyed.

Jack Long is one of the breeders I have been working with and he was not aware of the rule and is just coming up to speed.

I intend to tilt with windmills and try and lobby the state F&G commission to allow some sort of opportunity to keep mute swans in the state.

Thinking positive but dealing with reality.

Mike