Complete guide to Maryland falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
Maryland has a moderate falconry community benefiting from its position along the Atlantic flyway. The state's diverse habitats from Appalachian ridges to Chesapeake Bay marshes provide year-round hunting potential. 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
$10
State license only — federal permit additional
General / Master
$10 / $10
State fees for General / Master levels
Wild Take
Allowed
October – November for passage raptors
State License Fees
Maryland 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
$10.00
1 raptor
Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General
$10.00
3 raptors
2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master
$10.00
5 raptors
5+ years as licensed General falconer
Raptor Possession Limits
How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Maryland?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in Maryland
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Maryland. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
peregrine
coopers hawk
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Maryland Department of Natural Resources before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in Maryland
Wild Take Permitted in Maryland
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Maryland.
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 Maryland DNR; covers raptor identification, husbandry, equipment, and Maryland regulations. Minimum 80% score.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Maryland.
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 Maryland
90
Estimated Practitioners
Maryland has approximately 90 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 Maryland Falconry Information
Maryland's Assateague Island and Eastern Shore provide excellent peregrine habitat during migration. The Mid-Atlantic Falconers Association is active in the state.