Falconry

NOTICE: Peregrine Falcon Take Permit Application (WR-1035) deadline is August 15th

• Application for State Falconry Permit WR-0439
  
• North American Falconers Association (NAFA)
  
• 1660-01-02 - RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING BIRDS:  https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1660/1660.htm
• TWRA Falconry Hunting & Trapping Proclamation

For more information, contact a regional office near you by clicking here.

How To Apply For A Falconry License

A falconry permit may not be issued until the applicant has answered correctly at least 80 percent of the questions given on a supervised examination provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The exam is administered regionally by the TWRA. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit is required for each person within the State of Tennessee to possess a raptor for the purposes of falconry.

If you are interested in becoming a licensed falconer in the State of Tennessee, there are three classes of permits for which you may apply: Apprentice Class, General Class, or Master Class.

Apprentice Class: Applicants must be at least 14 years old and must have a sponsor who holds a General or Master Falconry Permit. A Falconry Apprentice must have a sponsor for a minimum of two years. The sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at any one time. An Apprentice may not possess more than one raptor and may only possess the American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, or Red-shouldered Hawk. They may not obtain more than one raptor for replacement during any 12-month period.

General Class: Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have at least two years of experience in the practice of falconry at the Apprentice Class level, or its equivalent. A General Class Falconer may not possess more than three raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement during any 12-month period. A General Falconer may not take, transport, or possess any species listed as threatened or endangered in federal regulations published pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Master Class: Applicants must have at least five years of experience in the practice of falconry at the General Class level, or its equivalent. A Master Class Falconer may not possess more than five raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement during any 12-month period. A Master Falconer may not take, transport or possess any species listed as threatened or endangered in federal regulations pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 unless authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Qualifying Examination for a Tennessee Falconry Permit

The examination is designed to determine the applicant's knowledge of raptor identification, natural history, care in captivity, falconry techniques and applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Requirements

Persons desiring to obtain a Tennessee Falconry Permit are required to answer correctly at least 80 percent of the questions on a supervised examination.
Once an application has passed the examinations, no future examination is required for permit renewal or for changes in the permit class.

Administering Agency

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency personnel will administer the examination at the designated Regional Office.

Examination Content

The examination consists of multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers. Questions are broken into eight (8) categories. There are 20 questions in each category for a total of 160 questions. The categories are :

• Care and Maintenance
• Equipment
• Health
• Hunting and Falconry Techniques
• Training
• Hunting
• General
• Rules and Regulations

Answers to the examination questions can be found in:

The TWRA Rule that addresses Falconry is Chapter 1660-01-02 - RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING BIRDS 

TWRA Rule Index:  https://publications.tnsosfiles.com/rules/1660/1660.htm

California Hawking Club Apprentice Study Guide

A non-refundable $10.00 fee to the TWRA is due when an applicant takes the 100-question examination.

An additional $10.00 fee is charged if the applicant must retake the examination.

A $25.00 fee to the US Fish and Wildlife Service must accompany the Federal Application Form 3-200 (OMB No. 42-R1670).

Application: 

Application for State Falconry Permit - WR-0439

For more information, contact a regional office near you by clicking here.

Peregrine  Falcon Take Permit Draw

About The Application 

• The application period takes place in July-August of each year with the permittees drawn on the last Wednesday of August. Please check back in July for the next year's application information.
• Peregrine falcons may only be taken under the authority of a drawn permit from counties located in TWRA Region 1.
• Interested parties must complete a no-fee peregrine falcon application. Such an application must be completed and postmarked no later than midnight on August 15th of each year.
• Send all applications to TWRA, Falconry Coordinator, 5107 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, TN 37211.
• All applications will be entered in a random draw to select the permit(s) available for peregrine falcon take in Tennessee. Permit drawing will be held on the last Wednesday of August each year.
• Permittees will be notified by phone and mail by the first Wednesday of September.
• Application for Peregrine Falcon Take Permit Draw - WR-1035
• Peregrine Falcon Information Presentation
  

Upon being awarded a permit, the following conditions will apply:

• Peregrine falcons wearing a research band (colored alphanumeric leg band) or other research markings must be released immediately upon recording band number and location of capture, except that a falcon with a transmitter attached to it may be possessed temporarily in order to contact the researcher and see if they desire to replace the transmitter or batteries.
• Permit holders who trap a peregrine falcon wearing a transmitter should contact the TWRA Falconry Coordinator immediately at (615) 781-6647 for authorization and assistance.
• Peregrine falcons may be trapped from September 20 - October 20 each year as set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Federal Register. FWS-R9-MB-2008-N0156; 91200-1231-9BPP.
• All birds taken must be first-year (juvenile) and passage birds (no resident birds may be taken).
• Take is allowed only by permit.
• Only general and master class residents and non-resident falconers are eligible for the permit drawing.
• A non-resident applicant who is awarded a permit must have a current non-resident Tennessee hunting license by the second Wednesday of September, in addition to their state's falconry permit.
• Any banded bird captured must be immediately released at the site of capture and the band number and location of the trapping site are reported to the TWRA Falconry Coordinator by the second Wednesday of November each year.
• If no falcon was taken, the permittee must return the leg band to the TWRA Falconry Coordinator no later than the first business day of November each year. Failure to return the band by the first business day of November each year will be considered a violation of TWRA regulations.
  

For more information, contact a regional office near you by clicking here.

Sponsor Contact List for Apprentice Falconers