Any properly accredited person of known scientific attainment desiring to collect rare, threatened, or endangered (RTE) species from the wild for scientific or educational purposes must first obtain an Endangered Species permit from the Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Department of Natural Resources. This permit is also required to capture, mark, and release RTE species.

Public educational institutions also need this permit to salvage and maintain RTE specimens for educational purposes.

In the State of Maryland, RTE species are animal species with an I, T, E, or X State Status designation on the List of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Animals of Maryland and plant species with a T or E State Status designation on the List of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plants of Maryland.

Depending on your collection methodology and target species, you may also need a Scientific Collection permit and/or an Aquatic (Fisheries) Scientific Collection permit*. If you are unsure which permits you need you can complete our Collection Permits Questionnaire or contact us at wildlifepermits.dnr@maryland.gov.

*If you are interested in the collection of FISH or other AQUATIC LIFE, please contact the Fishing and Boating Service by email at fishcollection.dnr@maryland.gov.

Permit Requirements

An Endangered Species permit is valid through December 31 of the issuing year. An annual report must be filed by December 31 of the issuing year; failure to submit an annual report may result in revocation of existing permits or rejection of future applications.

A federal permit from the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and/or the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) may be required to collect and/or possess migratory birds or federally listed species. For more information please see the USFWS and USDA websites.

Violation of any provision or restriction of the permit shall constitute a violation of this regulation [COMAR 08.03.08.03] and may result, at the discretion of the Director, in the revocation of the permit and confiscation of the species taken or possessed.

How To Apply

Applicants must complete an Endangered Species permit application and mail it, along with a check or money order for $10 (payable to Department of Natural Resources) to:

Wildlife Permits Coordinator
MD DNR - Wildlife and Heritage Service
580 Taylor Ave., E-1
Annapolis MD 21401

Request by E-mail:
wildlifepermits.dnr@maryland.gov

Request by Phone:
(410) 260-8540
Toll-free in Maryland:
1-877-620-8DNR [8367], Extension 8540
TTY: Maryland Relay via 1-800-735-2258 or 711

Request by Mail:
Wildlife Permits Coordinator
MD DNR - Wildlife and Heritage Service
580 Taylor Ave., E-1
Annapolis, MD 21401