Falconry License Guide -- Federal and State Permit Requirements

Falconry is the art of hunting wild quarry in its natural state with a trained raptor. It is one of the oldest hunting traditions in human history, with documented practice spanning more than 4,000 years across Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and eventually the Americas. UNESCO recognized falconry as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016 -- a designation it shares with very few other hunting and wildlife practices.

Because falconry involves the capture, possession, and training of birds of prey -- federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act -- it requires layers of regulatory oversight that no other hunting activity approaches in complexity. Hawks, falcons, eagles, and owls are protected at the federal level without exception, and any possession of a living raptor without the full authorization stack constitutes a federal wildlife crime regardless of the possessor's intent or the bird's condition.

The rationale for this regulatory framework is conservation-based. North American raptor populations suffered severe declines from DDT-related reproductive failures in the mid-twentieth century, and the regulatory structure built to protect them during recovery has been maintained as a precautionary framework even as most populations have rebounded. The regulatory cost of this conservation success is borne by a small number of highly committed individuals who want to participate in one of humanity's oldest wildlife traditions.

The result is a licensing system unlike anything else in North American hunting regulation. Where a deer hunting license requires a few hours of education and a fee paid at a sporting goods store, a falconry license requires a written federal examination, demonstrated facility construction, a multi-year apprenticeship under a licensed sponsor, an annual federal falconry permit, a companion state falconry permit, and the ongoing maintenance of detailed records for every raptor in possession. The investment of time, effort, and money is substantial, and it filters the community of licensed falconers to those who are genuinely committed to the craft.

There are approximately 4,000 licensed falconers in the United States at any given time. This small number reflects not the absence of interest but the genuine difficulty of completing the permitting process and sustaining the time commitment that responsible raptor care requires.

Every licensed falconer in the United States must hold two separate permits simultaneously: a federal falconry permit issued under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and a companion state falconry permit issued by the wildlife agency of the state in which the falconer resides. Both must be current for the falconer to legally possess or use any raptor for falconry purposes.

The federal permit is uniform across all states in its requirements at each level. The federal framework establishes the three license levels -- apprentice, general, and master -- the minimum raptors allowed at each level, the requirements for advancing between levels, and the federal raptor holding limits. The federal permit is obtained by submitting the completed federal falconry permit application to the USFWS Migratory Bird Permit Office serving your region, along with the state permit that your state agency has issued or concurrently processes.

State falconry permits mirror the federal framework but may add additional requirements. Most states administer their program in close coordination with the federal permit process, often issuing the state and federal permits simultaneously through a unified application. Some states conduct their own written examination in addition to the federal examination requirement. A handful of states have stricter facility or equipment standards than the federal baseline. States with the most active falconry communities -- California, Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Iowa, and the New England states -- have well-developed permit programs with dedicated falconry staff at the wildlife agency.

The USFWS Migratory Bird Permit System processes all federal falconry applications. The federal permit fee is $100 for three years at the apprentice and general levels. Master falconers pay $200 for three years. These fees are minimal compared to the overall investment falconry requires, but the permit must be renewed on schedule -- lapsing your federal permit is a serious violation because you are then in possession of federally protected birds without authorization.

Some states impose their own separate state permit fee in addition to the federal fee. These range from $15 to $75 annually depending on the state.

The federal falconry framework establishes three progressive license levels, each with specific requirements for advancement and specific limits on the types and numbers of raptors the falconer may possess. Understanding what each level allows and requires is the first step in planning your pathway through the system.

The Apprentice level is the entry point. An apprentice falconer may possess a maximum of two raptors: one American kestrel (Falco sparverius) or one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). This limitation is deliberate -- kestrels and red-tailed hawks are the most forgiving beginner birds. Kestrels are small, manageable, and teach the fundamentals of manning, conditioning, and training without the significant risk of injury or escape that larger birds present. Red-tails are robust, mentally straightforward birds whose hunting style and requirements are manageable for a committed beginner under good sponsorship. The apprentice period lasts a minimum of two years before the falconer can apply for advancement to the general level.

The General level removes the restriction to beginner species and allows the falconer to possess up to three raptors of most legal species. This includes the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), the Harris's hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), the prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus), the Cooper's hawk (Accipiter cooperii), the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), and others depending on regional availability. The general falconer must have been licensed at apprentice for at least two years and must have maintained their permit in good standing throughout. The general level is where most falconers spend the majority of their career -- it provides access to the full range of hunting styles and species without the additional responsibilities the master level imposes.

The Master level requires a minimum of five years at the general level, a demonstrated history of responsible falconry practice, and in some states a documented contribution to the falconry community through mentorship or conservation. Master falconers may possess up to five raptors and are the only falconers authorized to possess golden eagles for falconry purposes. Master falconers are also eligible to serve as sponsors for apprentices.

The sponsorship requirement is one of the defining features of the falconry permit system and one of the primary mechanisms by which the tradition is transmitted from one generation to the next. Before an apprentice permit can be issued, the applicant must identify and secure a commitment from a master falconer who agrees to serve as their sponsor throughout the apprenticeship period.

Only master-level falconers are authorized to serve as sponsors. This restriction ensures that the sponsor has demonstrated long-term competence and a deep enough knowledge base to provide meaningful guidance on all aspects of raptor care, training, and hunting. A general falconer, however experienced, is not authorized to sponsor an apprentice under the federal rules.

The sponsor's responsibilities are substantial. The sponsor must be accessible throughout the two-year apprenticeship period to provide guidance on bird acquisition, housing construction inspection, health and conditioning assessment, training progression, and field hunting technique. The USFWS regulations specify that the sponsor must personally inspect the apprentice's facilities before the apprentice acquires their first bird, confirming that the housing, equipment, and the apprentice's level of preparation meet minimum standards. This pre-acquisition inspection is not merely paperwork -- the sponsor is taking on genuine responsibility for how the apprentice manages their bird.

Finding a willing sponsor is often the most challenging step in the entire process, particularly for aspiring falconers in areas without an established falconry community. The North American Falconers Association (NAFA) and state-level falconers associations maintain member directories and sponsor-matching resources. Attending state or national falconry meets -- where working birds are flown and falconers gather -- is the most effective way to meet potential sponsors and demonstrate genuine commitment before making a formal sponsorship request. Approaching a master falconer cold through email rarely succeeds; building a relationship in person and showing up consistently at meets over months is the realistic pathway.

A sponsor may work with a maximum of three apprentices simultaneously under federal rules, so established sponsors in high-demand areas may have a waiting list.

Before any raptor may be brought into possession, the applicant's facilities must be inspected and approved by the appropriate state or federal wildlife officer. The facility inspection is not a formality -- it is a substantive review of whether the housing and equipment meet minimum standards for raptor welfare and security.

The federal regulations specify minimum standards for falconry facilities at each permit level. At all levels, the raptor housing must meet minimum dimensional requirements: an outdoor weathering area or mews with minimum floor space, ceiling height, and perch placement specifications that vary by species. Perch types -- block perches for falcons, bow perches for hawks, ring perches, screen perches -- must be appropriate for the species being housed and constructed or purchased to specifications that prevent foot and leg injuries. The mews must be escape-proof, predator-proof, and provide adequate shade and weather protection.

The federal minimum dimensions for a hawk mews at the apprentice level specify at least 4 feet by 4 feet of floor space and at least 6 feet of ceiling height for small accipiters and red-tailed hawks. Larger birds require larger spaces. The facility must also contain a weathering area where the bird can be tethered outdoors for conditioning and weather exposure, a critical component of maintaining a healthy raptor.

Equipment requirements include an appropriate anklet and jess system for the species, falconer's glove or gauntlet, hood appropriate for the species (for falcons and some other birds), weighing scale accurate to within 2 grams for monitoring body weight, bath container, and a transport box appropriate for the species.

The sponsoring master falconer conducts the pre-acquisition inspection. Some states also require a separate inspection by a state wildlife officer before the state permit can be finalized. After the inspection is passed and documented, the applicant can proceed with raptor acquisition. Inspections are sometimes repeated at renewal time or if the falconer adds housing capacity for additional birds.

The species available for falconry use and the legal methods for acquiring them are strictly defined in the federal falconry regulations. Not every raptor can be used for falconry, and even legal species can only be acquired through specifically authorized channels.

Wild-caught raptors taken from the wild by the falconer are the traditional acquisition method and remain a legal option under specific rules. Wild take is limited to certain species and is subject to annual take quotas set by the state wildlife agency based on population monitoring data. The federal regulations specify which species may be taken from the wild at each permit level. Apprentices are limited to taking American kestrels and passage red-tailed hawks from the wild. A passage bird is a bird of the year taken during fall migration before its first winter -- passage birds are preferred over adult birds by experienced falconers because they are easier to train and have not yet developed the strong territorial habits of a resident adult.

Wild take requires a specific take authorization issued by the state wildlife agency for the species and season in question. The take must be reported within a specified time frame, and the bird must be banded with a federal leg band within 10 days of acquisition.

Captive-bred raptors from licensed propagators are an increasingly common acquisition source and are fully legal for all falconry permit levels. Captive-bred raptors are produced by falconers licensed for propagation under a separate permit tier. Species that cannot be taken from the wild for falconry -- including gyrfalcons (Falco rusticolus), goshawks, and certain other raptors -- can be legally obtained from licensed propagators. Captive-bred birds of the most popular hunting species are widely available through the falconry community.

Raptors transferred between licensed falconers through an inter-falconer transfer are legal and common when a falconer changes birds or retires from the sport. All transfers must be reported to the USFWS within five days using the federal electronic reporting system.

The federal permit fee structure for falconry is tiered by level and payable on a three-year renewal cycle: $100 for three years at the apprentice and general levels, $200 for three years at the master level. These fees are relatively modest given the scope of the federal program's oversight responsibilities, but they represent only one component of the total regulatory cost.

State permit fees vary widely. California charges $59 annually for the state falconry permit. Colorado charges $35 annually. Texas charges $48 annually for residents. Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming charge $25 to $40 annually. A handful of states, including Colorado and Kansas, have chosen to waive or minimize the state permit fee as an accommodation to a small community of dedicated practitioners. New England states generally charge in the $25 to $50 range annually.

The annual reporting requirement is one of the most important ongoing obligations for licensed falconers. The federal regulations require annual submission of a falconry report to the USFWS Migratory Bird Permit System detailing every raptor in possession as of December 31 of the reporting year. The report must document each bird's species, band number, sex, age, how it was acquired, and whether it was transferred or released during the year. The deadline for submitting the annual report is January 31 of the following year.

Failure to submit the annual report on time is a reportable violation that can result in permit suspension. The reporting system serves as the federal database tracking every permitted raptor in the country, and the data it produces is used to monitor the impact of falconry on wild raptor populations.

State reporting requirements may run on a separate schedule from the federal annual report. Some states require quarterly reports for specific species or during specific acquisition events. The falconer must track both reporting obligations independently to remain in compliance.

Starting the falconry licensing process requires honest self-assessment about the time, financial, and lifestyle commitment involved before investing in the process. This is not a license you obtain and use occasionally on weekends -- falconry requires daily interaction with your bird throughout the hunting season and regular maintenance during the off-season.

The realistic timeline from first interest to first legal hunt with a raptor runs 18 to 36 months for a motivated applicant in a favorable location. The major milestones are: locate and establish a relationship with a sponsoring master falconer (3 to 12 months depending on your location and community access); study for and pass the federal falconry written examination (1 to 3 months of dedicated study); design, build, and have your facilities inspected and approved (2 to 4 months for construction); obtain and process your state and federal permits (1 to 3 months for agency processing); acquire your first bird (timing depends on wild take season or propagator availability). Total time from beginning the process to holding a legal bird is commonly 12 to 24 months even for motivated, well-connected beginners.

The written examination is administered through the state wildlife agency in most states. It covers raptor biology, federal regulations, state-specific falconry rules, equipment requirements, health and disease recognition, and ethical standards. Most states require a score of 80 percent or higher to pass. Study resources include the USFWS falconry regulations themselves, state falconry handbooks, the NAFA apprentice study guide, and mentorship from your sponsor.

The ongoing financial commitment includes housing construction ($200 to $800 depending on materials and scale), equipment ($150 to $400 for initial outfitting), permit fees ($100 to $200 federal plus state fees), veterinary care (annual wellness checks and any illness treatment), and telemetry equipment ($400 to $800 for transmitter and receiver) which is considered essential for field use. Total first-year investment commonly runs $1,500 to $3,000 before considering any bird acquisition cost.

For aspiring falconers, connecting with the North American Falconers Association (NAFA) and your state falconers association is the single most important first step. NAFA's annual meet is one of the most educational events in the hunting world.

Q: How long does it realistically take to obtain an apprentice falconry permit?
The process from decision to legal falconer takes a minimum of several months and often 6-12 months. You must first find an approved sponsor (a General or Master falconer willing to take you on), pass a written examination (minimum 80% in most states), pass a facility and equipment inspection, obtain both your state apprentice permit and a federal falconry permit from USFWS, and then legally acquire a bird. The bird acquisition alone — typically a wild-trapped American kestrel or red-tailed hawk — requires coordinating with your state wildlife agency.

Q: Can I purchase a captive-bred falcon from a breeder instead of trapping a wild bird?
Yes, but apprentices are typically restricted to specific species regardless of source. Most state apprentice programs limit first birds to American kestrels or red-tailed hawks, period — you cannot purchase an exotic species to start. General and Master falconers have much broader species options, including captive-bred peregrine falcons. Purchasing from a licensed breeder is fully legal and the bird must be accompanied by USFWS-issued captive-bred wildlife documentation.

Q: Do I need both a federal permit and a state permit?
Yes. Falconry in the United States requires both a state falconry permit and a USFWS federal falconry permit because raptors are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The two permits are applied for separately, though many state and federal agencies coordinate the application processes. You cannot legally possess a raptor for falconry without both. Some states handle the federal permit application on your behalf during the state permit process.

Q: What happens to my bird if I decide to stop practicing falconry?
You have several legal options: transfer the bird to another licensed falconer, release it to the wild if it is a wild-caught bird in suitable condition (with state and federal approval), transfer it to a licensed wildlife rehabilitation facility, or donate it to a licensed educational facility. You cannot sell raptors without specific permits. You must notify both your state agency and USFWS of the bird's disposition within a specified timeframe to maintain your permit records in good standing.