Complete guide to Maine falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
Maine has a small falconry community. The state's boreal forests and agricultural valleys provide diverse raptor and quarry populations. Goshawks and peregrines are present. 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
$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
Maine 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 Maine?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in Maine
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Maine. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
peregrine
gyrfalcon
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in Maine
Wild Take Permitted in Maine
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Maine.
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 MDIFW; covers raptor biology, care, equipment, and Maine regulations. Minimum 80% score required.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Maine.
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 Maine
30
Estimated Practitioners
Maine has approximately 30 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 Maine Falconry Information
Maine's Cadillac Mountain and Acadia area are important raptor migration corridors. Gyrfalcons occasionally winter in northern Maine. The New England Falconers Association supports the region's small community.