Complete guide to Indiana falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
Indiana has a small but dedicated falconry community. The state's farmland and river corridors provide productive hunting for red-tails and accipiters. Both a state license and federal USFWS permit are required.
State License Required
Wild Take Permitted
Facility Inspection Required
2026 Falconry License Quick Facts
Verified 2026
Apprentice Fee
$12
State license only — federal permit additional
General / Master
$12 / $12
State fees for General / Master levels
Wild Take
Allowed
October – November for passage raptors
State License Fees
Indiana 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
$12.00
1 raptor
Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General
$12.00
3 raptors
2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master
$12.00
5 raptors
5+ years as licensed General falconer
Raptor Possession Limits
How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Indiana?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in Indiana
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Indiana. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
coopers hawk
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Indiana Department of Natural Resources before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in Indiana
Wild Take Permitted in Indiana
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Indiana.
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. Covers raptor biology, care, falconry equipment, and Indiana regulations. Minimum 80% passing score.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Indiana.
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 Indiana
50
Estimated Practitioners
Indiana has approximately 50 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 Indiana Falconry Information
Indiana's Kankakee River region and southern hills provide varied quarry for falconers. The Midwest Falconers Association serves practitioners in the Indiana area.