Complete guide to New Jersey falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
New Jersey has a moderate falconry community benefiting from its position on the Atlantic Flyway. Cape May is one of the premier hawk watching locations in North America, providing excellent trapping opportunities. 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
$23
State license only — federal permit additional
General / Master
$23 / $23
State fees for General / Master levels
Wild Take
Allowed
October – November for passage raptors
State License Fees
New Jersey 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
$22.50
1 raptor
Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General
$22.50
3 raptors
2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master
$22.50
5 raptors
5+ years as licensed General falconer
Raptor Possession Limits
How Many Raptors Can You Keep in New Jersey?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in New Jersey
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in New Jersey. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
peregrine
coopers hawk
sharp shinned hawk
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in New Jersey
Wild Take Permitted in New Jersey
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in New Jersey.
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 NJDFW; covers raptor biology, care, equipment, and New Jersey regulations. Minimum 80% score required.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in New Jersey.
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 New Jersey
90
Estimated Practitioners
New Jersey 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 New Jersey Falconry Information
Cape May Peninsula is world-famous for fall raptor migration — kestrels, sharp-shinneds, and Cooper's hawks occur in large numbers. The New Jersey Falconers Club is one of the oldest in the Northeast.