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Wildlife Damage Control Operator Permit/License

On August 23, 2008 new regulations were enacted revising the standards and requirements for a person to obtain a permit from the Department to respond to human/wildlife conflicts. An individual permit is required for a Commercial Wildlife Damage Control Operator and assistants. You may view the regulations in their entirety.

The first step in obtaining a Wildlife Damage Control Permit is to take and pass a written examination comprised of trapping procedures, heath and human safety issues, components of law and regulation relating to human/animal conflict trapping, and questions relating to the reproductive cycles, feeding patterns and den sites of the more common wildlife species in Maryland.

The required test is an open book exam and is available on line. Click here for the test, answer sheet and suggested reading material: Best Practices for Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators, When Resident Canada Geese Become a Problem, Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping Wildlife, Wildlife and Heritage Service Policy Paper: Wildlife Control Cooperators and Nuisance Bats.

When you feel confident that you have correctly completed the answer sheet, please mail the completed answer sheet to: Permits Coordinator, Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-1, Annapolis MD 21401 or e-mail it to mgoldie@dnr.state.md.us. If you chose to e-mail the answer sheet make certain that you have under-lined or changed the color for the correct answer in such a way that we can determine your choice. Do not mail the application and the fee until you have heard that you passed the test by e-mail or by telephone.

The new administrative procedures and protocols strengthen our partnership with people who respond to human/wildlife complaints. Interactions between wildlife and people become more common as the landscape becomes more urban. To successfully resolve these conflicts our wildlife damage control procedures must involve techniques that are responsive and educational to provide the client with a remedy that minimizes the chance of a subsequent problem.

We will list any commercial operator that obtains a Wildlife Damage Control Permit that takes calls from the public in our on-line list if you complete an availability form indicating that you with to be included in the public list. You may obtain the Availability form here. NOTE: Please do not complete this availability form unless you intend to take calls from the public.

How to Obtain an Application
Download the application now.

Application for
Wildlife Damage Control Operator

Availability Form

Request by E-mail:
(include US Mailing Address)

customerservice@dnr.state.md.us

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