Last updated July 2020
Contact
Craig McLaughlin, Supervisor
Wildlife Resource Assessment Section
650 State Street
Bangor, ME 04401
Tel. 207-941-4467
Craig.McLaughlin@maine.gov
Is a state permit required for banding?
Yes. There is an application form specifically for banding permits: Maine Bird Banding Application
Permit application forms
- Maine Scientific Collection Application
- Renewal – no separate form
- Threatened and Endangered – no separate form
- Salvage – no separate form; be sure to request salvage authority in your application
State lands
To be determined.
Prior notice
Check permit conditions. Even if not expressly required to do so, you should always contact the manager of that particular state land unit or with the owner of private land before your arrival. You want to be aware of the hunting seasons, and, of course want to be sure that your activities will not interfere with the activities of that park, wildlife management area, or other state land unit, and that your activities will not adversely affect public use of the land or with the activities of private landowners.
Policies
Code of Maine Rules
09-137 DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
Chapter 6: EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC COLLECTION PERMIT RULE
6.01 Scope of Rules
Pursuant to 12 M.R.S. §12704 the commissioner may issue a permit to any person, permitting that person to hunt, trap, possess, band and transport wild animals and wild birds for educational or scientific purposes.
These rules apply to:
- The use of native wild animals and native wild birds, including their parts, for educational or scientific purposes within the State of Maine.
These rules do not apply to:
- The importation of wildlife from outside the state as provided in 12 M.R.S. and department rule Chapter 7;
- The possession, propagation, rehabilitation, or exhibition of wildlife as provided in 12 M.R.S. and department rule Chapter 7;
- The possession, propagation, and exhibition of fish as provided in 12 M.R.S and department rule Chapter 2; or
- The importation, capture or possession of raptors for hunting as provided in 12 M.R.S. §11159 and department rule Chapter 4
6.02 Permit Required
An educational or scientific collection permit is required by any person who wishes to take, transport or possess wild birds or animals and their parts or products for scientific research or educational purposes at any time of the year; and/or before any person may lawfully salvage, otherwise acquire, transport or possess wild birds and animals for any purpose not specifically covered under any other permit or license.
6.03 Application Form
Applications for educational or scientific collection permits must be submitted on an appropriate application form to be provided by the Commissioner.
6.04 Submission of Application
Completed applications for all educational or scientific collection permits should be submitted to the department.
6.05 Supporting Information
If any applicant plans to utilize firearms or archery for any purpose while conducting activities covered by scientific collection permit, the application must be accompanied by proof that the applicant possesses a current valid Maine hunting license. This requirement also applies to any subpermittee listed on the application. Also, if applicable, proof must be furnished of a valid federal scientific collection special purpose permit.
6.06 Incomplete Applications
Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant.
6.07 Age
Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
6.08 Grounds for Permit Denial
Upon receipt of a properly executed permit application, the Commissioner may issue a permit unless:
- The applicant has been assessed a civil penalty or convicted of any criminal statute or regulation relating to the activity for which the application is filed if such conviction or assessment evidences a lack of responsibility.
- The applicant has failed to disclose information required or has made false statements as to any material fact in connection with his application.
- The applicant has failed to demonstrate a valid justification for the permit.
- The authorization requested potentially threatens a wildlife population.
6.09 Rights of Permittee
Permits shall entitle the person to whom issued to engage in the activity specified in the permit for the prescribed time unless the permit is terminated.
6.10 Records; Reporting Requirements
The person to whom the permit is issued shall maintain complete and accurate records of any activity conducted pursuant to such permit. A report of these activities shall be submitted to the Commissioner within 30 days following permit expiration or with request for renewal. Report forms shall be provided by the Commissioner.
6.11 Renewal Requirements
Permits are renewable and may be renewed:
- If a satisfactory report of work accomplished during the preceding year is submitted.
- If, in order to meet a stated objective the permittee intends to continue the activity described in the permit during any portion of the year ensuing its expiration.
- If the above criteria are met and the permittee requests the renewal.
6.12 Transfer of Permits Prohibited; Exception
Permits are not transferable; except any person/s employed by or under contract to the permittee for the purposes authorized by the permit may carry out the authorized activity; provided the permittee notifies the department in writing of the name and address of those person/s so authorized by him prior to commencement of field work. A copy of this letter will be carried by the individual while conducting activities under the permittee’s supervision.
6.13 Penalty
Any violation of these rules and regulations or the conditions of any permit may subject the permittee to the following:
- Upon conviction, punishment as provided by Title 12 §12705
- Revocation of the permit. When revoked, permits must be surrendered to the Commissioner on demand
Endangered species
Maine has a state endangered species law (Maine Revised Statutes Title 12 Chapter 12801 et seq.)
The following bird species are designated by the state as endangered:
American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) (breeding population only)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)
Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)
Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (breeding population only)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii)
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)
The following bird species are designated by the state as threatened:
Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea)
Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica)
Barrow’s Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica)
Common Gallinule (Gallinula chloropus)
Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) (Breeding population only)
Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)
Razorbill (Alca torda)
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) (Breeding population only)
Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)