First, my goal, I'd like to get a breeding pair of Eastern Massasaugas.

I'd go into an about me section here, but this really isn't the right subforum.

Since this is my Post #1, to cover the key points:
Yes, I know they are dangerous.
Yes, I know they are endangered.
Yes, I know they are not a cuddly snake you can easily pick up and handle.

A friend of mine said bp.net is good for helping, so here goes...

From my research, it looks likes the hot licensing for Florida is fairly straight forward. The 3 hardest things for the proper licensing are 1000 hours of volunteer work, $100, and to get a veterinarian to handle the animal.

To that end, the $100 is easily enough obtained. The veterinarian issue is also quite easy, since my vet handles not only cats and dogs, but also have on staff a person trained in many Class I/II animals as well. I've called, and she would be willing to provide care, as long as I can provide paperwork showing legality.

Now, the harder part of the permit, the 1000 hours of volunteering. I've called the local zoo, and they have a years-long wait on volunteering with venomous. I intend to try calling the university monday, as the major theme of our university here is medical, in the event they handle venomous for venom research and offer volunteer roles.

Would anyone in west central Florida happen to know a few possible volunteering places that would further my licensing requirements?

Now, that license aside. I'm finding it difficult to find information on licensing requirements for obtaining and owning endangered species. The laws on the books state you need a license, but that's about it.

If it helps, the snake I'd like to obtain would be classified in Florida as a non-native venomous reptile. If I can procure a breeding pair, I would love to work with the federal park agencies and wildlife commission to arrange a release of some young back into their native wild, which covers most of the Ohio River basin.

That said, would anyone have a link that my Googlefu failed to locate regarding proper licensing for owning captive non-native endagered?

Thanks in advance for the help.