The Hunting License and Game-Control Tag Replacement at the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) is the procedure that lets hunters recover their official hunter ID and harvest-control forms when they have been lost, stolen or damaged. Without these documents, hunting in Guatemala is illegal even if your original license is still active in CONAP records.

Quick summary: License and/or tag replacement at CONAP. Cost: Q50-Q200 by type. Time: 5-15 business days. Requires a police report if lost or stolen. In-person filing at regional offices. Replacement does not extend the original expiration date.

Information verified May 2026 based on the Protected Areas Law (Decreto 4-89) and CONAP internal regulations.

What is the CONAP Hunting License

CONAP issues three license types based on purpose:

  • Sport license — recreational hunters, annual validity, species quotas
  • Subsistence license — rural communities with historic dependence on wildlife
  • Scientific license — researchers and academic institutions with collection permits

Each license is paired with a booklet of Game-Control Tags (Boletas de Control de Piezas) that the hunter must complete the moment a kill is harvested. The tags are the only legal way to document lawful origin when transporting, displaying or processing the animal.

When Replacement is Available

SituationAdditional documentation
LossPolice or Public Ministry report
TheftPolice or Public Ministry report
DamageDamaged license for surrender
Tags exhaustedUsed booklet for verification
Data changeUpdated DPI showing the change

Replacement is not available if the license is expired (renewal applies) or if it was canceled by administrative sanction (illegal hunting, protected species, out-of-season).

Requirements

  1. Application letter addressed to CONAP Regional Director (free format or office form)
  2. Valid DPI (copy and original for verification)
  3. Original police or Public Ministry report (only for theft or loss)
  4. Damaged license if applicable
  5. Used tag booklet (if replacing only tags)
  6. Bank payment receipt for the replacement fee (deposited at authorized bank)
  7. Sworn statement explaining the loss or damage circumstances
  8. Two passport-sized photos (recent)
  9. Criminal and police record certificates (some regional offices require them)

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1 — File a police report (if applicable)

If the license was lost or stolen, file a report with the National Civil Police (PNC) or Public Ministry. Keep a certified copy — CONAP doesn’t accept simple photocopies.

Step 2 — Pay the fee

Make the deposit at Banrural or another authorized bank into the CONAP account. Keep the original receipt. The exact amount is confirmed at the counter; it ranges from Q50 (tags only) to Q200 (full license).

Step 3 — Assemble the file

Gather all requirements. If you’re replacing both license and tags, file them together.

Step 4 — Submit at a CONAP regional office

Visit the regional office matching your home address. Headquarters is at 5a Avenida 6-06 zona 1, Guatemala City. Regional offices: Peten (Flores), Izabal (Puerto Barrios), Las Verapaces (Coban), Costa Sur (Escuintla), Occidente (Quetzaltenango).

Step 5 — Wait for resolution

CONAP has 5 to 15 business days to issue the new license or tags. You’ll be notified by phone or email when ready.

Step 6 — Pick up the replacement

Collect in person with your DPI. The license will bear the “REPOSICION” stamp and keep the original expiration date.

Cost and Time

ItemAmount
License replacementQ150-Q200
Tag booklet replacementQ50-Q100
BothQ200-Q300
Additional certificationQ25
Total time5-15 business days

How to Apply from Outside Guatemala City

If you live far from the capital you can:

  • File at the regional office closest to you (no need to travel to headquarters)
  • Authorize a third party with a simple power of attorney signed before two witnesses
  • Track the file by phone at CONAP PBX 2422-6700

What Happens if You Hunt Without License or Tags

Hunting without a current license or tags is an administrative infraction punished with:

  • Firearm seizure and confiscation of the harvested animal
  • Fine of Q1,000 to Q50,000 depending on species
  • Criminal prosecution if the animal belongs to CITES Appendix I or II species (jaguar, quetzal, spider monkey, sea turtle, etc.)
  • Permanent disqualification from future licenses

If stopped without documentation while replacement is in progress, presenting the file with the office stamp lessens but does not eliminate the sanction.

Regulated Species

CONAP publishes annually the list of species with authorized hunting quotas. Seasons and quotas vary by department. Common species under sport license include:

  • White-tailed deer (very limited quota)
  • Green iguana (in authorized zones)
  • Paca / tepezcuintle (seasonal)
  • Morelet’s crocodile (special permit)

Absolutely prohibited species: jaguar, puma, spider monkey, howler monkey, tapir, manatee, and all CITES Appendix I species.

If you plan to export hunting trophies, you’ll also need a CITES certificate issued by CONAP. That’s a separate procedure that can take an additional 30-60 days.