Find a Permit
As our human population grows and cities expand, interactions between people and wildlife are becoming more common. While conservation efforts of the USFWS, our partners, and you can help minimize the negative impacts of these encounters, there are some activities that cannot avoid some disturbance to wildlife.
To address this reality, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife has set up a series of permits that help to balance the needs of people and wildlife and minimize the impact of certain activities. Explore the topics below to find general information and application instructions.
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Migratory Bird Permits
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act are laws which protects native birds, similar to how the Endangered Species Act protects threatened and endangered species. The regulatory definition of a migratory bird is much broader than what most of us consider a migratory bird and includes almost all bird species native to the United States.
Pacific NW and Pacific Islands Migratory Bird Permits website
Bald and Golden Eagle Permits
Bald and Golden eagles are magnificent birds of prey and enjoy special protection in the United States under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Act gives the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the authority to protect and manage these birds, including monitoring and assessing their numbers, which we do cooperatively with States, Tribes, NGO partners, and industry.
Endangered Species Permits
Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act is designed to regulate a wide range of activities affecting plants and animals designated as endangered or threatened, and the habitats upon which they depend. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities affecting these protected species and their habitats unless authorized by a permit from the USFWS of NOAA-Fisheries.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Many permits related to wildlife in Oregon are administered through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), a state-level agency (the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is a federal-level agency). These permits include those related to hunting, fishing, invasive species, and many others.
Getting Schooled on Fish Taxonomy
Hot off the press! A Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Oregon by Douglas F. Markle is now available. It is the first authoritative guide to native and non-native freshwater fishes found in Oregon. This book combines the rigorous science of Oregon State University's Dr. Markle with beautiful illustrations by renowned artist Joseph R. Tomelleri.
