Fur Buyer License

Wisconsin Fur Buyer
License 2026

Complete guide to fur buyer and dealer licensing in Wisconsin — resident and nonresident fees, record-keeping requirements, CITES compliance, pelt tagging, annual reporting deadlines, and bonding rules. Wisconsin requires a fur dealer license for anyone purchasing raw furs from Wisconsin trappers for commercial purposes. The state has strict pelt tagging requirements for otter and fisher and participates in the CITES reporting program for bobcat and otter.

License Required CITES Compliance Required Record Keeping Required Annual Report Required

2026 Fur Buyer License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Resident Fee

$25.00

Annual license

Nonresident Fee

$100.00

Annual license

Record Retention

3yr

Records must be kept on file

CITES Required

Yes

For regulated species export

License Details

Wisconsin Fur Buyer License Requirements

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

Requirement	Details
License Required	Yes — required
License Type	Fur Dealer License
Resident Fee	$25.00 / year
Nonresident Fee	$100.00 / year
Record Keeping Required	Yes
Record Retention Period	3 years minimum
Pelt Tagging Required	Yes — required
CITES Compliance Required	Yes — CITES compliance required
Annual Report Required	Yes — Due: January 31
Report Due Date	January 31
Bonding Required	Not required

Regulated Species

Species Requiring Special Handling in Wisconsin

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

bobcat otter fisher

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

Record Keeping

Wisconsin Fur Buyer Record Requirements

Licensed fur buyers in Wisconsin 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 3 years

Records must be available for inspection by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wildlife officers without prior notice

Important Notes

Wisconsin-Specific Fur Buyer Rules

Wisconsin requires pelt registration for otter and fisher at designated DNR stations before purchase is legal. Annual fur buyer report due January 31 summarizing all species purchased by county. Records must be available for inspection at all times during business hours.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov). Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current license fees and record-keeping rules directly with the agency before purchasing furs.

Wisconsin