Apply for Wildlife Business Permits and Licences

Dealers in the meat of wildlife licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business to sell the meat of lawfully harvested wildlife.

How much does it cost?

New: $238  Renewal: $119

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Commercial wildlife licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to:

  • round up wildlife
  • hold wildlife
  • feed wildlife
  • transport wildlife
  • slaughter wildlife
  • process slaughtered wildlife
  • sell the meat, hides, horns antlers and by-products of slaughtered wildlife

How much does it cost?

  • New: $1188  
  • Renewal: $594

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Fur dealer licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business of trading and trafficking in the raw hides and raw pelts of fur-bearers and big game.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $475 
  • Renewal: $238

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Traveling fur dealer licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business of trading and trafficking in the raw hides and raw pelts of fur-bearers and big game in multiple NWT geographical areas.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $475
  • Renewal: $238

Where can I get it?

Available in person from local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Fur farm licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business to propagate, raise and sell fur-bearers.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $475     
  • Renewal: $238

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Game ranch licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business to propagate, raise, sell or display live game.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $475   
  • Renewal: $238

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Domestic animal permit

Who needs this permit?

You need a permit if you plan to possess or transport domestic sheep in a Wood Bison Area in the NWT. The permit may include requirements for fencing, containment for transport, testing and disease management, and other terms and conditions.

  • A permit to possess is required for anyone keeping sheep in a Wood Bison Area, including all current domestic sheep owners in these areas. This permit is valid for 10 years.
  • A permit to transport is required for anyone bringing sheep into or through a Wood Bison Area. This permit is valid for a period of time specified on the permit and must be obtained before entering a Wood Bison Area.

How much does it cost?

There are no fees for these permits.

Where can I get it?

Application forms are available online or through your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

For more information, please read our brochure on Domestic Sheep in the NWT, check out these Frequently Asked Questions: Domestic Animal Permit or email wildlife@gov.nt.ca.

Outfitter licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to provide equipment and guides to persons hunting big game, if you intend to or expect to receive money or money’s worth in exchange.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $950   
  • Renewal: $475

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Guide licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to guide hunters for money or money’s worth in exchange. In order to operate as a guide, you must be employed by an outfitter.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $119    
  • Renewal: $59

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Tanner licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business of tanning, dying or preserving raw hides and raw pelts of wildlife.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $238     
  • Renewal: $119

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

Taxidermy licence

Who needs this licence?

You need this licence if you plan to operate a business of preserving, preparing, stuffing or mounting wildlife.

How much does it cost?

  • New: $238   
  • Renewal: $119

Where can I get it?

Available in person from your local or regional Environment and Climate Change office.

For more information

You need a licence in the Northwest Territories (NWT) for most types of wildlife-related businesses.

This information is intended as an overview. For more details, please review legislation and regulations related to wildlife in the NWT, requirements for Researching, observing and handling wildlife, and information about hunting and harvesting.