Permit Information

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have the primary responsibility for administration of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), its amendments, and subsequent acts. All migratory birds are listed as trust species and require USFWS to manage these species.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (text | summary) makes it illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to Federal regulations. The migratory bird species protected by the Act are listed in 50 CFR 10.13. View the list of MBTA protected birds.

As authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues permits to qualified applicants for the following types of activities: falconry, raptor propagation, scientific collecting, special purposes (rehabilitation, educational, migratory game bird propagation, and salvage), take of depredating birds, taxidermy, and waterfowl sale and disposal. Migratory bird permit policy is developed by the Division of Migratory Bird Management and the permits themselves are issued by the Regional Bird Permit Offices. The regulations governing migratory bird permits can be found in 50 CFR part 13 (General Permit Procedures) and 50 CFR part 21 (Migratory Bird Permits).

Resources

•  USFWS Permits - National Headquarters
•  Applications
•  Birds Protected by the Migratory Birds Program
•  Bald & Golden Eagle Management
•  Regulations and Policies
•  Other Regional Permit Offices
•  Frequently Asked Questions

Region 6

Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Migratory Bird Office
P.O. Box 25486
DFC (60154)
Denver, CO 80225-0486

Tel: 303-236-8171
Fax: 303-236-8017
permitsR6MB@fws.gov

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