Falconry

Falconry requires a commitment to a valuable bird, seven days a week, for its entire life span. The only way to get a course in falconry is to secure and study under a sponsor falconer, who is willing to take you on as an apprentice for two consecutive years and several thousand hours of documented mentoring. You may apprentice under a general or master falconer. When you have the required experience, you will take and pass a very difficult state administered Falconry exam at a regional service center. Your sponsor can provide you with more information regarding the test. 

Once you have passed the test and have an application on file with the FWC, an inspection will be conducted at your facility. You can expect to spend from $5,000 to $10,000 for approved cages and other gear.  Once this inspection has been completed and there are no discrepancies, then your application will be forwarded to the federal office. The federal office will contact you for payment of the federal permit fee. Please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds web page, for recent changes to the federal falconry regulations.

• Bibliography
• License/Permit Application
• Annual Falconry Report
• Falconry Information and Checklist
  
• Take of Raptors