Complete guide to North Carolina falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
North Carolina has a small but active falconry community. The state's Blue Ridge Mountains and piedmont farmland provide hunting territory for accipiters and buteos. 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
North Carolina 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 North Carolina?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in North Carolina
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in North Carolina. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
coopers hawk
peregrine
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in North Carolina
Wild Take Permitted in North Carolina
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in North Carolina.
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 NCWRC; covers raptor biology, equipment, regulations, and hunting techniques. Minimum 80% score required.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina
60
Estimated Practitioners
North Carolina has approximately 60 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 North Carolina Falconry Information
The Appalachian ridges and Outer Banks provide excellent raptor migration corridors in North Carolina. Cape Hatteras and Pea Island see significant peregrine and kestrel migration each fall.