3-200-8: Migratory Bird Taxidermy

A Federal Taxidermy permit is required to perform taxidermy services on migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs for someone other than yourself.  Taxidermy permits authorize you to receive and temporarily possess legally acquired, properly tagged migratory birds for mounting or other preparation.

What is covered by this permit?

• You can receive and mount migratory game birds taken and possessed in accordance with applicable Federal and State hunting regulations. All such birds must be properly tagged as required by 50 CFR 20.36. The tag may be removed during taxidermy operations but must be retained and reattached after mounting, and must remain attached until the specimen is delivered to the owner. (See 50 CFR 21.24(d)(2))
• You can sell properly marked, captive-reared migratory waterfowl that you have acquired from a propagator who has a Federal Migratory Bird Waterfowl Sale and Disposal permit. The propagator must give you a completed Notice of Transfer or Sale of Migratory Waterfowl Form 3-186 at the time of the transfer and you must maintain this form in your files. An additional copy of this Form 3-186 must accompany the mount when the bird is sold. You may not sell captive reared migratory waterfowl that have not been mounted, nor may you sell any migratory bird that has been taken from the wild. (See 50 CFR 21.24(c)(2))
• Protected nongame birds such as songbirds, hawks, and owls can be legally brought to a taxidermist by game wardens, Federal agents, or holders of appropriate State and Federal permits. Once mounted, these birds can be legally possessed only by public scientific and educational institutions or individuals or facilities that have a valid Special Purpose Possession Dead permit. Personal possession of nongame birds is prohibited. English sparrows, common starlings, and feral pigeons (rock doves) are not native to the United States and are not protected by Federal law. (See 50 CFR 21.11)
• Your permit is not valid unless you also are in compliance with State requirements. This means that if your State requires you to have a permit to perform taxidermy on migratory game birds, you must hold a valid State permit in order for your Federal permit to be valid. It is your responsibility to make sure you comply with State permit requirements.

Process

To Submit an Application

To submit an application online or through the mail, follow the instructions on our ePermits site.

Application Fee

• $100 
• Application fee is non-refundable.
• Federal, Tribal, State, and local government agencies, and those acting on the behalf of such agencies, are exempt from the processing fee (documentation may be required).