Last updated April 2023

Website

Pennsylvania Game and Fish Commission

Contacts

Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 783-8164

Is a state permit needed for banding?

Yes. There are two regulations in Pennsylvania, one for bird banding and the other for scientific collecting.

Permit application forms

• The Pennsylvania Game Commission receives permit applications in the form of a brief proposal, addressing the information as specified in the regulations, below. Contact the agency for an application packet.

• Renewal – A letter or request, accompanied by a report on previous permit activity and a copy of proposal, with appropriate modifications.
• Threatened and Endangered – no form; send proposal.
• Salvage – no form; send proposal.

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

Statute: Title 34 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated. Game Chapter 29. Special Licenses and Permits

Regulations: Pennsylvania Code Title 58. Recreation, Chapter 147. Special Permits

Pennsylvania state endangered species law

The following birds are listed under the state law. Be sure to check the lists – they can change!

Endangered Species
American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)
Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)
Black Tern (Chlidonias niger)
Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata)
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo)
Dickcissel (Spiza americana)
Great Egret (Ardea alba)
King Rail (Rallus elegans)
Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis)
Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus)
Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)
Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis)
Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Upland Sandpiper (Batramia longicauda)
Yellow-bellied Flycatcher (Empidonax flaviventris)
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax violaceus)

Threatened Species
Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)
Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)
Red Knot (Calidris canutus)