Taxidermist information

If you preserve and or mount, both whole or in part, using the skin or skeleton of a wild animal, and receive compensation for your work then you need a taxidermy license.

Contact the DNR License Bureau for an application by calling 651-296-6157 or toll free 1-888-646-6367, or visit our website at mndnr.gov/contact.

For a Federal permit contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Federal Building, P.O. Box 45, Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111 or 612-725-3530, or visit the USFWS website at http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-8.pdf

Yes, a Federal permit is required to mount migratory game birds and waterfowl. http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-200-8.pdf

Maybe. If you are only tanning hides associated with the mounts you are working on for your own customers then you would not need a tanner’s license. If you are tanning hides as an exclusive business or tanning hides for other taxidermists then you would need a tanner’s license.

MN Statute 97A. 425 (https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=97A.425 ) requires licensed taxidermists to record the names and addresses of persons from whom wild animals were obtained and whom they were transferred; the dates of receipt, shipment, and sale of wild animals; detailed descriptions of the number and type of wild animals purchased, sold, and shipped; serial numbers of seals, tags, or permits required to be attached to the wild animals; trapping license numbers for protected fur-bearing animals, unless the trapper is exempt from the license requirement, which must be noted.

A taxidermist is required to keep records for 2 years.

Yes, the records of a taxidermist must be available for inspection by a Conservation Officer at all reasonable times.

Yes. Any unmarked animals in possession by a taxidermist will be considered to be part of their personal possession limit.

Contact your local Conservation Officer. If a customer wants you to mount a hawk, owl, song bird or any other species that is given total federal or state protection (i.e. no open season or legal taking) it must be accompanied by a seizure / confiscation tag issued by a state conservation officer or a federal fish and wildlife agent. Possession of these animals or birds without proper documentation is illegal.

Go to mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas to locate a Conservation Officer near you.