Falconry License

Florida Falconry
License 2026

Complete guide to Florida falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information. Florida has a moderate falconry community with year-round hunting potential thanks to its mild climate. Harris hawks are popular and the state supports excellent starling, dove, and rabbit quarry. Both state and federal permits are required.

State License Required Wild Take Permitted Facility Inspection Required

2026 Falconry License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Apprentice Fee

$25

State license only — federal permit additional

General / Master

$25 / $25

State fees for General / Master levels

Wild Take

Allowed

October – November for passage raptors

State License Fees

Florida Falconry Fees by Level

State license fees for each falconry level. Note: You must also obtain a federal USFWS falconry permit — the state license does not replace the federal requirement.

Level	State Fee	Max Raptors	Prerequisites
Apprentice	$25.00	1 raptor	Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General	$25.00	3 raptors	2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master	$25.00	5 raptors	5+ years as licensed General falconer

Raptor Possession Limits

How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Florida?

Apprentice

raptor max

General

raptors max

Master

raptors max

Allowed Raptors

Raptor Species Permitted in Florida

The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Florida. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.

american kestrel red tailed hawk harris hawk peregrine

Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before acquiring any raptor.

Wild Raptor Take

Capturing Wild Raptors in Florida

Wild Take Permitted in Florida

Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Florida. Season: October – November for passage raptors. Both a state wild take permit and federal authorization are required.

Getting Licensed

Exam & Inspection Requirements

Written Exam Requirements

Written exam required for Apprentice level. Administered by FWC; covers raptor biology, husbandry, Florida-specific regulations, and hunting ethics. Minimum 80% score required.

Facility & Equipment Inspection

Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Florida.

Equipment (jesses, hood, perches, etc.) must be inspected before licensing.

Sponsor must have 2+ years of General or Master falconry experience.

Community

Falconry Community in Florida

120

Estimated Practitioners

Florida has approximately 120 licensed falconers, making it a smaller falconry community with a dedicated group of practitioners. Connecting with local clubs and the North American Falconers Association (NAFA) is recommended for finding a sponsor.

State-Specific Notes

Additional Florida Falconry Information

Florida's subtropical climate allows year-round flying weather. Peregrines are present along the coast in winter as migrants. The panhandle and north Florida provide the best habitat diversity for falconry.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com) and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees and requirements directly with the agency before applying.

Florida