Complete guide to West Virginia falconry licensing — Apprentice, General, and Master level fees, allowed raptor species, wild take rules, exam requirements, and facility inspection information.
West Virginia has a small falconry community. The state's Appalachian ridges and river valleys channel raptor migration and support resident buteo populations. 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
West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
Apprentice
1
raptor max
General
3
raptors max
Master
5
raptors max
Allowed Raptors
Raptor Species Permitted in West Virginia
The following raptor species are authorized for use in falconry in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia Division of Natural Resources before acquiring any raptor.
Wild Raptor Take
Capturing Wild Raptors in West Virginia
Wild Take Permitted in West Virginia
Licensed falconers may capture wild raptors for use in falconry in West Virginia.
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 covering raptor biology, equipment, and West Virginia regulations. Minimum 80% passing score.
Facility & Equipment Inspection
Facility (mews) inspection is required before obtaining any raptor in West Virginia.
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 West Virginia
30
Estimated Practitioners
West Virginia has approximately 30 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 West Virginia Falconry Information
West Virginia's Allegheny Mountain ridges see productive hawk migration each fall. Most practitioners are affiliated with the Virginia Falconers Association or mid-Atlantic regional clubs.