Response (Lynne Thoma) - 06/03/2008 08:45 AM
The DNR does not regulate the pet trade. If you have native species you need to
have one of two things, either a recreational fishing license (compliance with
all state regulations is therefore required) or proof that the animals in
question came from legal sources (proof of sale, documentation of lineage etc.;
state regulations do not apply). The legal sources I am aware of are out of
state sources. If you have collected turtles from the wild and keep your
allowed possession limit, DO NOT LET THEM BREED! Even if the individuals you
collected from the wild were done so legally and within the possession limit,
once wild caught native turtles breed you are over the possession limit and in
violation of state law. Furthermore, it is illegal to sell any wild caught
turtle or the offspring of any wild caught turtle. The DNR will not allow or
condone the taking of wildlife as brood stock to supplement the pet industry.
Finally I, strongly advise not allowing pet trade native turtle species to breed
in captivity, you will have no documentation for the offspring produced to prove
their origin did not come from the wild. Without proof of origin, its is
assumed they were taken from the wild and state regulations (season and
possession limits) would apply.

Every year in the fishing pamphlet given out by the MDNR as well, the rules for the take of reptiles and amphibians are listed just like in the article you provided, and if you google "Michigan reptile and amphibian collection" there is another document backing up all of this.
Right here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Re...s_164917_7.pdf

**Edit- Actually, it looks like YOUR article overrides mine. lol So yours is the "official" stuff.