Complete guide to Mississippi falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
Mississippi has a small falconry community. The state's Delta agricultural region, river bottoms, and pine forests provide diverse quarry. Harris hawks are practical in the mild climate. 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
Mississippi 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 Mississippi?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in Mississippi
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Mississippi. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
harris hawk
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in Mississippi
Wild Take Permitted in Mississippi
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Mississippi.
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 covering raptor care, equipment, and Mississippi regulations. Minimum 80% passing score.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Mississippi.
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 Mississippi
35
Estimated Practitioners
Mississippi has approximately 35 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 Mississippi Falconry Information
Mississippi's agricultural Delta and bottomland hardwoods provide rabbit and starling hunting for falcons and hawks. The Mississippi Flyway brings diverse raptor migrants each fall.