Based on the rules stated above, it appears you could use a bow that has been modified to manually (draw) launch an elongate paintbrush, with a specially modified color splash tip.
im also seeing nothing about non retention snares/traps, which are one sided, and instead of teeth, have modified paint sponges to mark the animal quickly and painlessly.
low velocity air guns, like say a potato launcher, or rubberband gun, can be modified to shoot color sponge "bullets". in fact any nerf gun might work well, soaked in paint.
i dont think you're out of options on this yet Mike.
I am an artist myself and was trying to conduct your experiment with fish but the paint keeps coming off, maybe I'm being to green using non-toxic latex and should try something more permanent. I found I had to lead them a little due to the current (river conditions)and had to max out my psi,
Well played Sir ! :beer chug:
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