License Required for Training Bird Dogs Using Birds Not Raised in Captivity

Anyone training bird dogs using game birds not raised in captivity needs to hold a bird dog training license, whether on private or public land. If you are training dogs with captive-reared birds, a license is not required.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission requires anyone purchasing a bird dog training license intending to train on public land to designate the number of dogs being trained.

These licenses can be purchased online through the FWP Online License Service, any FWP regional office, or any licensed provider. The license is $5 for residents ages 18 and over and $10 for nonresidents ages 18 and over. It is free for residents and nonresidents ages 12-17.

The bird dog training season with wild birds on public lands runs from August 1 to March 31, 2025, for residents, and from September 1 to March 31, 2025, for non-residents.

A special recreational use license (SRUL) from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is required for those commercially training bird dogs on state trust land.