Falconry License

Hawaii Falconry
License 2026

Complete guide to Hawaii falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information. Hawaii allows falconry but has strict regulations due to the unique island ecosystem and native bird protection concerns. Only captive-bred raptors may be used; wild take is not permitted. Both state and federal permits are required.

State License Required 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

Not Listed

Contact Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife

State License Fees

Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

Apprentice

raptor max

General

raptors max

Master

raptors max

Allowed Raptors

Raptor Species Permitted in Hawaii

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

harris hawk red tailed hawk american kestrel

Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife before acquiring any raptor.

Wild Raptor Take

Capturing Wild Raptors in Hawaii

Wild raptor take information for Hawaii is not on file. Contact Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife for current wild take regulations and season dates.

Getting Licensed

Exam & Inspection Requirements

Written Exam Requirements

Written exam required for Apprentice level. Hawaii administers its own exam emphasizing native species protection and island-specific regulations in addition to standard federal requirements. Minimum 80% score required.

Facility & Equipment Inspection

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

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 Hawaii

Estimated Practitioners

Hawaii has approximately 15 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 Hawaii Falconry Information

Hawaii prohibits wild raptor take to protect native Hawaiian bird species. All raptors must be captive-bred and imported with proper federal documentation. The falconry community is very small due to these restrictions.

Source: Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife (dlnr.hawaii.gov) and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees and requirements directly with the agency before applying.

Hawaii