Endangered Resources_Content Page_permits

Species collection and research permits and licenses

The department issues permits, authorizations and licenses for research, education and other activities that involve rare, nongame and game species and habitats. Each has its own application, requirements and procedures. Depending on the nature of the project or activity, DNR programs or other agencies may require additional permits.

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Wisconsin Nongame and Species Habitat Permits

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 propagation in captivity for preservation purposes.

This permit does NOT cover regulatory removal of endangered and threatened species or bat exclusions. To apply to handle, possess, propagate, remove, and relocate state endangered and threatened species for a regulatory purpose, visit the Incidental Take Permits page to apply for a Regulatory Removals Broad Incidental Take Permit. 

Permit application

To apply for a Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species Permit:

  • Complete, sign, and date the Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species Permit application form. Note: This is a fillable Adobe PDF form that can be quickly filled out and saved using the free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. The form will not work correctly if opened in a browser such as Chrome or Edge. We recommend downloading and saving the application to your computer, then opening it with the Acrobat program.

Submit the application:

  • By email: attach the completed application and any supplemental materials and email them to the NHC Permit Coordinator at dnrfwpnhcetpermits@wisconsin.gov.  
  • By postal mail, send to:

E/T Permit Coordinator
Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921

Permit Fee:  Please indicate with your application how the permit fee will be paid when submitting your application.

  • Permit fees paid by organizations can be invoiced upon request. Invoices can be paid online by check or credit card. Checks from organizations may be mailed in place of being invoiced. 
  • Permit fees paid by individuals must be paid by check. Make checks out to Natural Heritage Conservation and mail them to:

E/T Permit Coordinator
Wisconsin DNR, Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation
PO Box 7921
Madison WI 53707-7921

All checks should be clearly marked with the type of permit and the applicant's name. 

Annual report and expiring permit renewal

NEW: The annual reporting process for all endangered and threatened species permits has changed. Please use the form below to submit annual report information, attach reports and request renewal of your expiring permit, if applicable.

All holders of Wisconsin endangered and threatened species (E/T) permits are required to complete and submit an annual report of activities conducted under the permit, including any information specifically requested by the department under Wisconsin State Statute 29.604 and Administrative Rule Chapter NR 27. If multiple permit holders work jointly on a project, a single report may be submitted. The report must include all names and permit numbers for the individuals whom the joint report covers.

Failure to submit timely, complete and accurate annual reports may result in revocation of the permit and confiscation of any endangered or threatened animals, plants or specimens in your possession.

If you have any questions regarding your endangered and threatened species permit, permit application or annual report, please contact:

NHC E/T Permit Coordinator
Program Specialist
Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation
608-261-6449

Falconry

Falconry permits authorize qualified individuals to practice falconry in Wisconsin.

To help provide you with better service, please read the information in the application procedures before contacting the permit coordinator with any remaining questions.

Application procedures for Wisconsin residents

After you are thoroughly acquainted with the sport and are familiar with Wisconsin's falconry regulations, Chapter NR 18, Wis. Adm. Code, you are ready to apply for the required permit.

Application for nonresidents

Permit for non-Wisconsin resident falconers to trap wild birds in Wisconsin for falconry.

For more assistance and application submission, please contact:
Stacy Rowe
Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation
2514 Morse St.
Janesville, WI 53545
608-228-9796

State Natural Areas

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

Application and permit for State Natural Areas

*Have trouble viewing this form in your internet browser? DNR fillable forms require IE10 or later and do not work with mobile devices. Save it to your desktop by right-clicking the link and then choosing "Save target as..." or "Save link as..." Then open the desktop file by right-clicking the icon, selecting "Open with," and choosing Adobe Reader. You can also try opening the form in a different browser, like Internet Explorer. For Mac users, right-click with a single button mouse, and hold the control key while clicking. See DNR's Help with PDFs page for more options.

For more assistance, please contact:
Matt Zine
State Natural Areas program
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
608-575-7035

Scientific collectors permit and research license
  • A Scientific Collectors Permit (SCP) authorizes the collection of live fish, nests or the carcasses (salvage/already dead when encountered) of wild animals for scientific purposes.
  • A Scientific Research License (SRL) authorizes the taking, possessing, killing (euthanasia) or propagation of live wild animals (other than fish) from the wild for research purposes.

The SCP and SRL apply strictly to activities for education, study or research to increase knowledge and require an annual report. The SCP and SRL do NOT apply to state or federally-listed threatened or endangered species.

Permit application

*Have trouble viewing this form in your internet browser? DNR fillable forms require IE10 or later and do not work with mobile devices. Save it to your desktop by right-clicking the link and then choosing "Save target as..." or "Save link as..." Then open the desktop file by right-clicking the icon, selecting "Open with," and choosing Adobe Reader. You can also try opening the form in a different browser, like Internet Explorer. For Mac users, right-click with a single button mouse, and hold the control key while clicking. See the DNR's Help with PDFs page for more options.

Annual report and expiring permit renewal

NEW: The annual reporting process for all SCP and SLR permits has changed. Please use the form below to submit annual report information, attach reports and request renewal of your expiring permit, if applicable.

All holders of a Wisconsin Scientific Collector Permit (SCP) or a Scientific Research License (SRL) are required to complete and submit an annual report of activities conducted under the permit. Annual reports are due January 10 of the year following the permit's expiration. A separate annual report for each permit is required if you hold more than one SCP/SRL permit.

Failure to submit timely, complete and accurate annual reports may result in non-renewal or delayed issuance of the SCP/SRL or other permits and confiscation of any specimens in your possession.

For fish-related SCP submittals and questions, please contact:
Fisheries Permit Coordinator
101 S Webster Street
Madison WI 53703
608-264-9257

For all other SCP and SRL submittals, questions or SRL fee payments, please contact:
SCP/SRL Permit Coordinator
Office of Applied Science
2801 Progress Road
Madison WI 53716
608-221-6345

Note: Signed items may be saved to your computer and submitted by email. A fee is required for SRL applications. Checks should show the applicant's name and purpose, payable to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and mailed to the address directly above.

Seed collecting permit

Seed collecting permit and application for DNR lands (1700-039). Please download the form to your computer to open the file in a PDF viewer. This is a fillable form. 

This application allows an individual or organization to apply for a permit to collect seeds on DNR-managed land. Seed collectors must submit the form to the property manager(s) for approval and signature prior to collecting any seed. To find the appropriate property manager for your seed-collecting location, please visit the DNR staff directory. See the permit for all terms and conditions related to the permit. Please contact the property manager for more assistance and application submission. Edible fruits, edible nuts, wild mushrooms, wild asparagus and watercress may be removed by hand without a permit for the purpose of personal consumption by the collector.

Note: This seed collecting permit does not apply to wild rice harvesting. Please follow all license requirements for wild rice harvesting. More information can be found on the wild rice harvesting webpage.

Related permits and licenses