Falconry is the art and sport of training raptors such as falcons, hawks, and eagles to hunt or pursue game for humans. It has a long history dating back thousands of years and is practiced around the world. Falconry was historically used as a way to obtain food and has evolved into a conservation tool and sport practiced by thousands of licensed falconers in the United States.
To legally practice falconry in California, you must obtain a falconry license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). This involves meeting requirements related to experience, facilities, and testing. The process takes some time and dedication but allows you to train and fly amazing birds of prey.
Benefits of Falconry
There are many benefits to becoming a falconer in California:
- Form a close bond and working relationship with a raptor
- Participate in an ancient and exciting form of hunting
- Help conserve raptor populations
- Gain a deep understanding of raptor behavior, biology, and ecology
- Contribute to research on raptors
- Meet and learn from an enthusiastic community of falconers
Falconry is a way to connect with nature and raptors in a truly unique way. Flying a trained hawk or falcon to catch game is an indescribable experience. While it requires dedication, the rewards of becoming a falconer are well worth the effort.
Overview of the Permitting Process
Here is an overview of the basic steps required to get a falconry permit in California:
- Study and pass the falconry exam
- Build proper falconry facilities and have them inspected
- Find a sponsor and serve a minimum 2-year apprenticeship
- Capture or purchase your first raptor
- Request your class license from the CDFW
- Purchase appropriate permits and license each year
This process ensures you have the knowledge, skills, experience, and facilities to properly care for and fly raptors. Now let’s look at each step in more detail.
Taking the Falconry Exam
The first major step is passing the falconry exam. This written exam covers care, handling, diseases, nutrition, equipment, laws, and other essential information.
Study materials to help you prepare include:
- The California Hawking Club Apprentice Study Guide
- The North American Falconers Association Beginner’s Guide to Falconry
- The CDFW falconry regulations and raptor trapping regulations
The exam has around 100 questions and takes a few hours to complete. You can register to take it through an authorized CDFW testing center. You’ll need to score at least 80% to pass.
Once you pass, you can submit your exam results to the CDFW to start the permitting process.
Building Proper Falconry Facilities
An important requirement for obtaining a falconry permit is having proper housing facilities, called a mews, for your raptors. California regulations spell out standards for size, materials, and features the facilities must have.
For an apprentice falconer, the minimum standards include:
- An indoor area at least 6 feet high, 6 feet long, and 5 feet wide
- A suitable perch for each raptor
- A bath pan for raptor bathing
- A secure door that can be easily closed
- Ventilation for fresh air
- A floor covered in sand, gravel, grass, or other suitable material
You’ll also need an outdoor weathering area:
- At least 6 feet high, 8 feet long, and 6 feet wide
- Partially covered for shade and protection
- A perch and bath pan
- A suitable substrate
- Secure walls and roof
As you advance in falconry, you can apply to house additional raptors which have minimum facility requirements scaled up in size.
Once built, your mews will need to be inspected and certified by a CDFW representative or general/master falconer. Having proper housing for your raptor is essential.
Finding a Falconry Sponsor
In addition to facilities, new falconers in California must find a general or master falconer willing to sponsor them for a minimum 2-year apprenticeship. This mentor will guide you through learning the practical skills like training and flying raptors, equipping them, and caring for them during molting or illness.
Your sponsor will decide when you are ready to advance from apprentice to general class. Many training programs and relationships with sponsors take longer than 2 years. Finding an experienced and dedicated mentor is extremely valuable when starting out in falconry.
Acquiring Your First Falconry Raptor
Once you have passed the exam, built facilities, and found a sponsor, the next step is acquiring your first raptor.
Apprentice falconers in California are limited to:
- Captive-bred red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
- American kestrel (Falco sparverius)
- Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)
You have two options for obtaining your first raptor:
- Capturing a wild raptor under an apprentice permit during the designated trapping seasons. Certain raptor species like American kestrels can only be wild-caught.
- Purchasing a captive-bred raptor from a licensed falconer or raptor breeder. Many beginners start with captive-bred red-tailed hawks.
Either way, your acquisition of a raptor must be reported to the CDFW within 10 days. They will provide a numbered marker to attach to its leg.
Applying for Your Falconry License
Once you have acquired your first raptor and begin training under your sponsor, you can apply to the CDFW for your class falconry license. This involves submitting an application documenting:
- Proof you have passed the falconry exam
- Your experience including species handled and training
- Confirmation your facilities were certified
- A signed sponsorship agreement with a general or master falconer
- Photos of your raptor, its housing, and you handling it
If approved, you will be issued an apprentice class falconry license. This is valid for 2 years initially. You can eventually advance to general and master class licenses by gaining more experience.
Purchasing Permits and License Each Year
Finally, each license year before flying your raptors you’ll need to:
- Purchase a new falconry hunting license
- Renew your class falconry permit
- Obtain any required federal migratory bird permits if flying migratory species like a red-tailed hawk
You must have current versions of all required state and federal permits and licenses in hand to legally fly raptors for falconry in California.
Finding Other Falconers
Getting involved in the falconry community is the best way to find a sponsor, learn more about the permit process, and gain hands-on experience.
The California Hawking Club and the North American Falconers Association have regional clubs you can join to meet fellow falconers:
- Northern California Hawking Club
- Central California Hawking Club
- Southern California Hawking Club
- California-Nevada Hawking Club
These clubs host training seminars, falconry demonstrations at festivals, and opportunities to network with experienced falconers who can mentor you.
You can also attend falconry meets to see trained raptors fly and meet potential sponsors. Finding an enthusiastic and knowledgeable falconer to guide you is key for a new apprentice.
Seeking Vet Care for Your Raptors
Having a relationship with a qualified avian vet is essential for any falconer. Your sponsor can recommend an experienced falconry vet in your region of California.
Vets can provide care for common raptor injuries and conditions including:
- Aspergillosis
- Bumblefoot
- Injuries from crashes or strikes
- Getting ” sliched” or cut by prey
- Getting lost and returning days later dehydrated and emaciated
An experienced vet can diagnose issues through exams, blood tests, and endoscopy. They can provide medications, flush injuries, and assist with supportive care to get your raptor healthy again.
Many vets allow you to sit in on exams and procedures so you can learn. Over time you will become skilled at providing first aid yourself. But having a falconry vet for care is invaluable.
Maintaining Proper Records
As a licensed falconer, you must maintain detailed records for at least 5 years including:
- A log of all raptors held including their species, age, sex, markers, date acquired and disposition
- Dated journal entries on each raptor including weights and health issues
- Hunting records showing locations and prey obtained on each flight
- A log of any feathers taken for imping
- Signed transfer and sale paperwork if you transfer or sell a raptor
Proper record keeping is required by law and also helps you make management decisions about each bird. Keeping accurate logs is part of responsible falconry.
Practicing Conservation
Falconers play an important role in raptor conservation. Some things you can do include:
- Releasing any accidentally caught raptors unharmed
- Reporting injuries or mortality of wildlife to the CDFW
- Returning banded raptors to researchers
- Participating in breeding and release programs for raptors like peregrine falcons
- Educating others about raptor biology and falconry
- Donating fees and volunteering for conservation organizations
Being a thoughtful steward of raptors and the environment is a responsibility of all falconers. Giving back helps ensure the future of falconry and these amazing birds.
Joining Falconry Organizations
Becoming part of state, national, and international falconry organizations is highly recommended. These groups provide:
- Resources and mentors for new falconers
- Workshops and seminars on husbandry and training
- Access to networks for buying and trading equipment
- Newsletters and magazines related to falconry
- Representation regarding laws and regulations
- Grants for research and conservation projects
Some leading groups include the California Hawking Club, North American Falconers Association, and International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey. Becoming a member connects you to the global community.
Conclusion
Becoming a licensed falconer in California requires dedication, patience, learning, and a passion for raptors. While the permitting process takes some time and effort, the satisfaction of training your own bird of prey makes it worthwhile. Follow the steps to gain experience, find a sponsor, obtain equipment and facilities, and work closely under the guidance of veteran falconers. Remember that giving back to raptor conservation is an important responsibility. If you have a true interest, don’t get discouraged by any setbacks along the way. With hard work and commitment, you’ll be able to gain your falconry permit and begin this incredibly rewarding ancient sport.
