Falconry Licenses
by State — 2026

Complete falconry licensing requirements for all 3 USFWS permit levels (Apprentice, General, Master), state license fees, allowed raptor species, wild raptor take rules, and exam requirements for all US states.

Federal + State Permit Guide All 3 Permit Levels Wild Take Rules

50States Covered

49Allow Wild Take

5,320+Est. Practitioners

Important: ALL falconers in the United States must hold BOTH a federal USFWS falconry permit AND a state license. Your state license is not sufficient on its own — the federal permit is mandatory in addition to your state license.

USFWS Federal Permit →

The Three Levels

Understanding the 3 Falconry Permit Levels

The USFWS (US Fish and Wildlife Service) manages three progressive permit levels. You must hold a federal permit AND a matching state license at each level.

Level 1

Apprentice

Must be sponsored by a General or Master falconer for 2+ years

May possess 1 raptor maximum (American Kestrel or Red-tailed Hawk)

Written exam required (80% minimum)

Facility and equipment inspection required

Minimum age: 14 years (varies by state)

Level 2

General

Minimum 2 years as a licensed Apprentice

May possess up to 3 raptors

Expanded species list available

May take from the wild (state permit required)

Can sponsor Apprentice falconers

Level 3

Master

Minimum 5 years as a licensed General falconer

May possess up to 5 raptors including eagles

Full species list including gyrfalcon and golden eagle

May apply for propagation permits

Total 7+ years of active falconry practice

State license fees (all 3 levels)

Allowed raptor species

Wild take rules & seasons

Exam requirements

Facility inspection info

The Art of Falconry

Why Pursue Falconry?

Ancient Sport

Falconry is one of humanity's oldest hunting traditions, practiced for over 4,000 years across cultures from the Middle East to East Asia to medieval Europe. UNESCO recognizes it as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Wildlife Partnership

Unlike other pets, trained raptors are never domesticated — they remain wild predators. A falcon chooses to return; the falconer earns that trust. The relationship is a voluntary partnership between human and raptor.

Conservation

Falconers played a central role in the recovery of the peregrine falcon from near-extinction. Today, falconers fund raptor research, monitoring programs, and habitat preservation — making them key conservation partners.

Unique Challenge

Falconry demands more commitment than almost any other hunting pursuit — birds require daily care and conditioning, years of training, and extensive knowledge of raptor biology and behavior. The challenge is its own reward.

50 states

50 states shown

Falconry Licensesby State — 2026

Understanding the 3 Falconry Permit Levels

Why Pursue Falconry?

Common Falconry License Questions

Falconry Licenses
by State — 2026