More business resources
- Contact information
- For general information on captive wildlife, contact:
- Timothy Marien
Wildlife biologist
Bureau of Wildlife Management
608-264-6046 - For information on captive wildlife licenses, contact:
- Jennifer McDonough
Customer service representative
608-267-0859 - For information on captive wildlife regulations, contact:
- Pete Dunn
Captive wildlife administrative warden
608-317-8417
Captive wildlife regulations and licenses
In 2003, Wisconsin Act 56 established new standards and licenses for possession of captive wildlife in Wisconsin. In January 2003, State stat. CH 169 [PDF exit DNR] came into effect and Administrative Code s. NR 16 [PDF exit DNR] became effective in November 2003 to further explain the purpose of and associated standard conditions for each captive wildlife license. All captive wildlife licenses are subject to:
- captive wildlife pen specifications and transportation standards [PDF],
- record-keeping and reporting requirements quarterly report [PDF] and annual report [PDF]
- wild fur farm quarterly report [PDF].
If a captive wild animal is imported into Wisconsin from a legal source in another state, an animal import permit [exit DNR] is required from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection prior to the animal entering Wisconsin.
Wildlife farms and exhibits
- Captive wild animal farm license regulations [PDF]
- Captive wild animal farm license application [PDF]
- Amphibian and reptile regulations [PDF]
- Nonprofit educational exhibit license application [PDF]
- Non-resident temporary exhibiting license application [PDF]
In order to possess a migratory bird under a captive wild animal farm license or a nonprofit educational exhibit license, a Federal Migratory Bird Special Purpose Possession - Education (live) Permit [exit DNR] is also required from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
If you plan on exhibiting captive wild animals to the public you may also need a United States Department of Agriculture Class C Exhibit License [exit DNR].
Wild fur farm
Deer farm
In order to possess captive white-tailed deer in Wisconsin, it is required to have a valid fencing certificate from the DNR. This fencing certificate is only required for farmers who wish to raise white-tailed deer. Nonwhite-tailed deer are not regulated by the DNR but all captive farm-raised deer keepers are required to be licensed and registered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection [exit DNR].
Wild animal hunting or hound dog training/trialing
- Bird hunting preserve regulations [PDF]
- Bird hunting preserve license application [PDF]
- Bird hunting preserve annual report [PDF]
- Wisconsin Bird Dog & Dog Club Training Regulations [PDF]
- Bird dog training application and license [PDF]
- Wisconsin dog trialing regulations [PDF]
- Wisconsin hound dog & dog club training regulations [PDF]
- Hound dog training, dog club training and dog trail application and license [PDF]
- Hound dog training enclosure regulations [PDF]
- Hound dog training enclosure permit application [PDF]
Free premise registration is required of all livestock owners, including captive game birds. This is an important component of maintaining the health of domestic and wild birds. Registration is free and confidential through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture [exit DNR] which also provides additional information. Register online [exit DNR], or call the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium at 888-808-1910.
