Falconry License

Kentucky Falconry
License 2026

Complete guide to Kentucky falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information. Kentucky has a small but active falconry community. The state's rolling hills, agricultural lands, and river bottoms provide productive hunting grounds. Both a state license and federal USFWS permit are required for all levels.

State License Required Wild Take Permitted Facility Inspection Required

2026 Falconry License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Apprentice Fee

$15

State license only — federal permit additional

General / Master

$15 / $15

State fees for General / Master levels

Wild Take

Allowed

October – November for passage raptors

State License Fees

Kentucky 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	$15.00	1 raptor	Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General	$15.00	3 raptors	2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master	$15.00	5 raptors	5+ years as licensed General falconer

Raptor Possession Limits

How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Kentucky?

Apprentice

raptor max

General

raptors max

Master

raptors max

Allowed Raptors

Raptor Species Permitted in Kentucky

The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources before acquiring any raptor.

Wild Raptor Take

Capturing Wild Raptors in Kentucky

Wild Take Permitted in Kentucky

Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Kentucky. 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 care, equipment, federal and Kentucky-specific regulations. Minimum 80% score required.

Facility & Equipment Inspection

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

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 Kentucky

Estimated Practitioners

Kentucky 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 Kentucky Falconry Information

Kentucky's diverse terrain supports both accipiters and buteos. The Appalachian region provides access to migrating Cooper's hawks and sharp-shinned hawks in fall.

Source: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (fw.ky.gov) and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees and requirements directly with the agency before applying.

Kentucky