Complete guide to Utah falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
Utah offers diverse falconry terrain from Great Basin desert to the Wasatch Front mountains. Prairie falcons are common residents; red-tails and ferruginous hawks are abundant. The state's open terrain supports long-wing falconry. 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
$20
State license only — federal permit additional
General / Master
$20 / $20
State fees for General / Master levels
Wild Take
Allowed
September – November for passage and resident raptors
State License Fees
Utah 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
$20.00
1 raptor
Sponsor required (2+ yr General/Master), written exam, facility inspection
General
$20.00
3 raptors
2+ years as licensed Apprentice
Master
$20.00
5 raptors
5+ years as licensed General falconer
Raptor Possession Limits
How Many Raptors Can You Keep in Utah?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in Utah
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in Utah. Species availability may also be restricted by your permit level.
american kestrel
red tailed hawk
prairie falcon
ferruginous hawk
peregrine
Species list may change — verify current authorized species with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in Utah
Wild Take Permitted in Utah
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in Utah.
Season: September – November for passage and resident 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 UDWR; covers raptor biology, care, equipment, and Utah regulations. Minimum 80% passing score.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in Utah.
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 Utah
100
Estimated Practitioners
Utah has approximately 100 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 Utah Falconry Information
Utah's Great Salt Lake and Bear River marshes provide unique quarry diversity including shorebirds and waterfowl for tundra-class falcons. The Box Elder prairie is prime ferruginous hawk country.