Do Taxidermists Need a Federal Permit for Migratory Birds?

By MountChief Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

Yes. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood requirements in taxidermy, and the stakes are high. Operating without a federal taxidermist permit for migratory birds is a federal criminal offense, not just a regulatory violation. Most permit violations are discovered during state-initiated inspections, but federal charges are the consequence.

Before you accept your first duck, goose, turkey, dove, or any other native bird species, you need a Federal Taxidermist Permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

TL;DR

Taxidermists who mount migratory birds must hold a Federal Migratory Bird Taxidermist Salvage Permit issued by US Fish & Wildlife Service.
The permit must be renewed annually and posted in your shop.
You must maintain records of every migratory bird received, including species, hunter name, license number, and date received.
Ducks, geese, and all other migratory birds covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act require documentation regardless of how common the species is.
State-issued permits are separate from and in addition to the federal permit.

What Species Require the Federal Permit?

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) covers native migratory bird species, which is a much broader list than most taxidermists realize. The permit is required for:

All waterfowl (ducks, geese, mergansers, teal, widgeon, etc.)
Wild turkeys
Doves and pigeons (native species)
Shorebirds
Songbirds and most other native birds

Species explicitly not covered by the MBTA include non-native game birds like ring-necked pheasants (introduced from Asia) and exotic birds like peacocks. But when in doubt, assume coverage applies and check the MBTA species list on the USFWS website before accepting a bird.

Raptors (eagles, hawks, owls) are covered by both the MBTA and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, which has even stricter requirements. Eagle feathers and parts cannot be commercially possessed, sold, or used in taxidermy regardless of how they were acquired.

How to Get a Federal Taxidermist Permit

The permit application goes through the USFWS Migratory Bird Permit Office for your region. There are eight regional offices covering the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and territories. You must apply to the office in the region where your shop is located.

The application process:

Download Form 3-200-17 (Federal Taxidermist Permit application) from the USFWS website
Complete the application with your business information, shop location, and state taxidermy license number
Pay the non-refundable application fee (currently $100 for a three-year permit)
Submit to your regional USFWS Migratory Bird Permit Office
Allow four to eight weeks for processing

Permits are valid for three years and must be renewed before expiration. USFWS sends renewal notices, but don't rely on them. Mark your permit expiration date somewhere you'll see it.

Record-Keeping Requirements Under the Permit

Once you have the permit, specific records are required for every migratory bird you accept. These aren't optional and they're what an inspector will ask to see.

Required records for each bird include:

Species (specific, not just "duck")
Date received
Name and address of the person who brought the bird in
State hunting license number of the hunter
Federal duck stamp number (for waterfowl)
Band number if the bird was banded (must be reported to USFWS Bird Banding Lab)
Disposition of the bird (returned to customer, still in process, etc.)

These records must be retained for a minimum of five years and must be available for inspection by any USFWS Special Agent or state wildlife officer upon request.

For shops managing high-volume waterfowl intake during fall season, keeping these records complete across dozens of simultaneous jobs requires a system. Wildlife compliance software for taxidermy shops captures all required MBTA fields automatically at intake, so the record is complete before the bird ever goes in the freezer.

What Happens If You Don't Have the Permit?

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has teeth. Criminal penalties for violations can include:

Fines up to $15,000 per violation for knowing violations
Prison time up to two years
Forfeiture of equipment used in the violation

"I didn't know I needed a permit" is not a defense recognized by USFWS. If you're accepting birds without a permit, you're exposed.

The practical reality is that most violations are found during state-initiated inspections of taxidermist shops. A state game warden conducting a compliance check asks to see your permits and records. If you don't have the federal permit and have bird specimens, that's a referral to USFWS.

State-Level Bird Permits

Many states have additional state-level permit requirements for birds beyond the federal permit. Some states require a separate state scientific collection permit or a state waterfowl taxidermist authorization. Check your state wildlife agency's taxidermist licensing section for any state-level bird-specific requirements that stack on top of the federal permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a USFWS taxidermist permit?

Download Form 3-200-17 from the USFWS website, complete it with your business and state license information, pay the $100 application fee, and submit it to the USFWS Migratory Bird Permit Office for your region. Allow four to eight weeks for processing. The permit is valid for three years. Do not accept any migratory bird for mounting until the permit is in hand.

What species are classified as migratory birds?

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act covers almost all native North American bird species. For taxidermists, the most common MBTA-covered species are waterfowl (ducks, geese), wild turkey, doves, and shorebirds. Non-native game birds like ring-necked pheasants are not covered. Eagles and raptors are covered under both the MBTA and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act with additional restrictions. When uncertain, check the USFWS MBTA species list before accepting a bird.

What records must I keep for migratory bird mounts?

For every migratory bird accepted, you must record: species, date received, hunter's name and address, state hunting license number, federal duck stamp number (for waterfowl), band number if applicable (and report it to the USFWS Bird Banding Lab), and the final disposition of the specimen. Records must be retained for a minimum of five years and made available for inspection by USFWS agents or state wildlife officers on request.

How do I apply for a federal migratory bird taxidermist salvage permit?

Apply through the US Fish & Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Permits program. Applications are submitted to the regional Migratory Bird Permit office in your region. The application requires basic business information, a statement of intended use, and the applicable fee. Permit processing typically takes 4-8 weeks, so apply well before waterfowl season.

What records must I keep for migratory birds under federal law?

Federal regulations require you to maintain records of every migratory bird specimen received, including the species and number of birds, the customer's name, address, and state hunting license number, the date received, and the disposition of the finished mount or remains. Records must be retained for five years and be available for inspection by US Fish & Wildlife Service officers.

Can I mount a migratory bird that a customer found dead?

Generally no. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act prohibits possession of migratory birds without proper authorization even if found dead. The narrow exception is for some scientific and educational purposes under specific permits. A customer who presents a dead migratory bird and says they found it is putting you both in a difficult legal position. Do not accept migratory birds without proper hunting documentation.

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Sources

US Fish & Wildlife Service, Migratory Bird Program
US Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Law Enforcement
National Taxidermists Association (NTA)
Ducks Unlimited

Get Started with MountChief

Migratory bird permits and records are a non-negotiable part of waterfowl taxidermy. MountChief includes migratory bird compliance fields in its intake system so every duck and goose job is documented correctly from day one. Try MountChief to keep your waterfowl records inspection-ready all season.