Falconry License

New York Falconry
License 2026

Complete guide to New York falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information. New York has an active falconry community supported by the New York State Falconers Association. The Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Adirondack foothills provide diverse hunting grounds. Peregrine falcons are present along the coastline and can be encountered during migration.

State License Required Wild Take Permitted Facility Inspection Required

2026 Falconry License Quick Facts Verified 2026

Apprentice Fee

$25

State license only — federal permit additional

General / Master

$25 / $25

State fees for General / Master levels

Wild Take

Allowed

October – November for passage raptors

State License Fees

New York 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	$25.00	1 raptor	Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General	$25.00	3 raptors	2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master	$25.00	5 raptors	5+ years as licensed General falconer

Raptor Possession Limits

How Many Raptors Can You Keep in New York?

Apprentice

raptor max

General

raptors max

Master

raptors max

Allowed Raptors

Raptor Species Permitted in New York

The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in New York. 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 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before acquiring any raptor.

Wild Raptor Take

Capturing Wild Raptors in New York

Wild Take Permitted in New York

Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in New York. 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. DEC administers the exam covering raptor identification, care, falconry regulations, and New York-specific rules. Minimum 80% passing score required.

Facility & Equipment Inspection

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

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 York

200

Estimated Practitioners

New York has approximately 200 licensed falconers, making it a moderately active falconry state. Connecting with local clubs and the North American Falconers Association (NAFA) is recommended for finding a sponsor.

State-Specific Notes

Additional New York Falconry Information

New York City and suburban areas offer unique urban falconry with peregrines and red-tailed hawks. The Finger Lakes and Catskill regions provide excellent rural falconry habitat with diverse quarry.

Source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (www.dec.ny.gov) and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees and requirements directly with the agency before applying.

New York