Fur Buyer License

Montana Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in Montana - resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. Montana requires a fur buyer license for commercial purchase of raw furs. The state has significant bobcat and otter harvest and participates in the national CITES quota program. Records must be maintained for 5 years.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$20.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$50.00

Annual license

Record Retention

5yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

Montana Fur Buyer License Requirements

All commercial fur purchases in Montana are regulated. Review all requirements before purchasing furs from trappers.

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes - required
License Type	Fur Buyer License
Resident Fee	$20.00 / year
Nonresident Fee	$50.00 / year
Record Keeping Required	Yes
Record Retention Period	5 years minimum
Pelt Tagging Required	Not required
CITES Compliance Required	Yes - CITES compliance required
Annual Report Required	Yes - Due: March 1
Report Due Date	March 1
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in Montana

The following species are subject to special fur buyer rules in Montana - which may include tagging, harvest reporting, or CITES permits for export.

bobcat otter wolverine

CITES Note: Bobcat and otter pelts from Montana that are destined for international commercial export require CITES export permits from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Montana participates in annual harvest reporting to support the national CITES export quota program.

Record Keeping

Montana Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in Montana must maintain detailed purchase records available for inspection by wildlife officers at any time.

For each purchase: species, quantity of pelts, seller name and trapping license number

Date of transaction and purchase price or fair market value

County or general area of harvest (where required by species)

Records must be retained for 5 years

Records must be available for inspection by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

Montana-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

Montana has significant bobcat and otter harvest — both require CITES export documentation for international commercial trade. Fur buyers must maintain purchase records for 5 years. Lynx is federally threatened — no commercial purchase permitted.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

Montana