Protected Wildlife Permits
Wildlife Diversity Conservation section staff within the Habitat Species and Conservation division issue permits authorizing impacts to Florida's protected land-dwelling wildlife. Protected wildlife includes State-designated Threatened species. Also included are migratory birds and other species protected by state rules. Some permits are available online and others are submitted via email applications to wildlifepermits@myfwc.com.
Do I Need a Permit?
Permits are issued for activities that may cause take, as defined in the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.). For State-designated Threatened species, take is described in Rule 68A-27.001(4), F.A.C., as “to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in such conduct. This includes
- acts which kills or injures fish or wildlife (harm)
- significant habitat modification or degradation which kills or injures wildlife by significantly impairing essential behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering. (harm)
- intentional or negligent acts or omissions which significantly disrupt normal behavioral patterns which include, but are not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. (harrassment)
Activities authorized in rule, for which no permit is needed
- Removal of inactive nests for non-listed birds, as authorized in 68A-16.003, F.A.C. However, a USFWS permit may be needed for removal of an active nest. We recommend that you contact the USFWS Region 4 Migratory Bird Permit Office by phone at (404) 679-7070 or email permitsR4MB@fws.gov to determine what federal authorization or permits are required for any activity involving non-listed and listed migratory bird species, their nests and any part thereof.
- Land management activities that benefit wildlife and that are not inconsistent with Management Plans for species as defined in this rule chapter are authorized and do not require a permit authorizing incidental take despite any other provision of this section.
- Agriculture and silviculture as authorized in Rule 68A-27.007(2)(d), F.A.C.: Agriculture, as defined in Section 570.02, F.S., conducted in accordance with Chapter 5I-8, F.A.C., effective 10-21-14, or Chapter 5M-18, F.A.C., effective 6-17-15, and the forestry and agriculture wildlife best management practices (BMPs) adopted in Rule 5I-8.001, F.A.C., by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service pursuant to Section 570.94, F.S., is authorized and does not require a permit authorizing incidental take despite any other provision of this section or Rule 68A-27.005, F.A.C
Activities authorized in policy, for which no permit is needed
The Imperiled Species Management Plan contains several policies which when followed do not require a permit.
- Nest removal for inactive single-use nests of state-designated Threatened birds applies to birds that do not re-use the same nests.
- Aversive conditioning of state-designated Threatened applies to species with Guidelines that describe non-lethal actions to reduce or eliminate nuisance behavior.
- State-designated Threatened species and man-made structures policy applies to species that are using structures such as buildings, bridges, utility poles, signs and pipes for essential behavior, such as breeding.
- Airport safety permits; in many cases, permits are no longer required if activities fall under Rule 68A-9.012, F.A.C. Please review information to determine if a permit is needed.
- Bald eagle permits are no longer issued by FWC; a USFWS permit may still be needed
- Inactive nest removal from a man-made structure for non-listed migratory birds like ospreys and other raptors.
Permit Types
Protected Species Permitting issues two main types of permits.
Incidental Take Permits
Incidental Take Permits may be issued by FWC for state‐Threatened or otherwise protected species when take cannot be avoided during otherwise lawful activities. These permits require a scientific or conservation benefit for the species and the permitted activity can not have a negative impact on the survival potential of the species.
Scientific Collecting and Educational Use Permits
Scientific collecting permits allow for the intentional take of wildlife. Issuance of scientific collecting permits is intended to facilitate research and management, scientific collection, and educational activities under conditions that provide safeguards to the species.
Some examples of commonly issued scientific collecting permits include:
- Gopher tortoise research.
- Voucher or salvage of protected species.
- Surveying or research activities that require trapping and handling wildlife, including bird banding.
- Educational live possession, including possession of waif tortoises.
- Harassment of listed species to resolve wildlife conflicts.
Timely Response
The Florida Statutes require state agencies to approve or deny complete applications within 90 days of receipt. Therefore, we ask you to submit a complete application and include all relevant information as attachments (e.g. scientific project proposals, educational plans and brochures, site plans, photographs, etc.). Complete permit applications, renewals, and amendment requests should be submitted a minimum of 45 days prior to the requested effective date.
Technical Assistance/Other Authorizations
Contact the Species Conservation Planning staff for protected wildlife permitting issues or technical assistance.