Endangered species

Endangered and threatened species permit

Wisconsin's endangered species law allows the department to authorize the taking, exportation, transportation or possession of listed plant or animal species via an Endangered and Threatened Species Permit if the activity is for zoological, educational or scientific purposes, or for propagation in captivity for preservation purposes.

Application

• Endangered and Threatened Species Permit application [PDF]

Annual report

• Annual permit report [Online form]
• Annual report instructions [PDF]

Supplemental information describing work or activities conducted under this permit should be emailed separately to Melissa Tumbleson or by mail to the address below.

Melissa Tumbleson
E/T Permit Coordinator
Bureau of Endangered Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
608-266-7012

Incidental take

Incidental Take Permit and authorization

Incidental Take Permit and authorization authorize the taking of an endangered or threatened species if the taking is not for the purpose of, but will be only incidental to, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.

Falconry

Falconry permits authorize qualified individuals to practice falconry in Wisconsin.

Application procedures for Wisconsin residents

Falconry requires a great deal of knowledge about raptor biology, care and hunting skills. It is not a sport for your part-time entertainment. Dedication is also necessary since you must be prepared to commit a minimum of two hours per day year-round to your bird(s) before attempting to become licensed.

Still interested? Then the next step is to read up on the sport. You can find information and a list of resources for further reading at the Wisconsin Falconers Association [exit DNR] and the North American Falconers Association [exit DNR]. You are also encouraged to talk and spend time with an experienced falconer.

After you are thoroughly acquainted with the sport and are familiar with Wisconsin’s falconry regulations, Chapter NR 18 [PDF exit DNR], you are ready to apply for the required permit. The steps are as follows.

1. Locate a sponsor
   First time applicants are called apprentice class falconers. More experienced falconers are either general, with two to seven years of experience, or master class falconers with over seven years of experience. Apprentice class falconers must have a general or master class falconer as a sponsor at the time of application. A letter from your sponsor indicating that they will sponsor you must be included with your application.
2. Examination
   Schedule an examination date through your local wildlife manager or conservation warden. To find out who your local warden or wildlife biologist is, contact your local DNR Service Center. The exam consists of 105 multiple choices questions. You must score 80 percent or better on the written exam before proceeding to the next step.
3. Facilities and equipment
   Standards for equipment are established by Chapter NR 18.07 [PDF exit DNR]. You should prepare to meet those standards before submitting your application. Contact your local conservation warden or wildlife manager to schedule an inspection of your facilities and equipment. A copy of this inspection should be included when you send in your application.
4. Application
   Request a copy of the state and federal application by contacting Stacy Rowe at 608-266-7012. Complete both the state and federal falconry permit application along with a check for $100 made out to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and a $75 check made payable to the Wisconsin DNR. Submit both applications and checks to Stacy Rowe at the address below.
5. Permit issuance
   After your application has been received and approved, you will receive the permit within 30 days. Note: The permit approved by the state is forwarded to Minnesota for a joint approval by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
6. Raptor possession
   After your permit is received, you may obtain a raptor by trapping or gift as described in Chapter NR 18.10 and 18.12 [PDF exit DNR]

Please note: If you plan to practice falconry using a listed species, you will also need to apply for and obtain an endangered and threatened species permit.

For more assistance, please contact:

Stacy Rowe
Bureau of Endangered Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
608-266-7012

Application for non-residents

Permit for non-Wisconsin resident falconers who are looking to trap falconry birds in Wisconsin.

• Non-resident raptor trapping permit application

Submit the application along with the $100 fee to:

Stacy Rowe
Bureau of Endangered Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921
608-266-7012

Ginseng

Wild ginseng regulations

Wisconsin ginseng regulations require licenses for harvesting and buying/selling wild ginseng in the state.

For more assistance, please contact:

Courtney Ripp
608-438-5496

State Natural Areas

A permit is required for collecting and scientific research on State Natural Areas.

Application and permit for State Natural Areas

For more assistance, please contact:

Thomas Meyer
State Natural Areas program
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707
608-266-0394

Other permits

Other permits

Additional permits may be required by other DNR programs or other agencies depending on the nature of your project.

Scientific Collectors Permit or Research License Application and Authorization [PDF]
For use when collecting live fish, nests or the carcasses of wild animals for scientific purposes or when taking and possessing live wild animals - other than fish - from the wild for research purposes. For assistance, read "What do I need?" [PDF].

Mail the completed form to:

Eric Lobner
Bureau of Wildlife Management
3911 Fish Hatchery Rd
Madison WI 53711
608-275-3474

Wildlife Rehabilitation License

Captive wild animals

Federal Endangered Species Permit [exit DNR]

You can find information about other DNR permits on the DNR Licenses, Permits and Registrations page, or by using the Wisconsin Permit Primer, which provides a step-by-step, question-and-answer tour of DNR regulatory programs for small businesses.