Falconry License

Ohio Falconry
License 2026

Complete guide to Ohio falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information. Ohio has a moderate falconry community. The state's agricultural landscapes, river valleys, and Lake Erie shoreline provide productive hunting grounds and migration corridors. 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

$18

State license only — federal permit additional

General / Master

$18 / $18

State fees for General / Master levels

Wild Take

Allowed

October – November for passage raptors

State License Fees

Ohio 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	$18.00	1 raptor	Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General	$18.00	3 raptors	2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master	$18.00	5 raptors	5+ years as licensed General falconer

Raptor Possession Limits

How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Ohio?

Apprentice

raptor max

General

raptors max

Master

raptors max

Allowed Raptors

Raptor Species Permitted in Ohio

The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Ohio. 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 Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife before acquiring any raptor.

Wild Raptor Take

Capturing Wild Raptors in Ohio

Wild Take Permitted in Ohio

Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Ohio. 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 ODOW; covers raptor biology, care, equipment, and Ohio regulations. Minimum 80% score required.

Facility & Equipment Inspection

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

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 Ohio

Estimated Practitioners

Ohio has approximately 80 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 Ohio Falconry Information

Ohio's Lake Erie shoreline is a major raptor migration corridor. Magee Marsh and the Ottawa NWR area see significant accipiter migration each fall. The Ohio Falconers Association is active statewide.

Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Wildlife (ohiodnr.gov) and US Fish & Wildlife Service. Requirements verified 2026. Always confirm current fees and requirements directly with the agency before applying.

Ohio