Falconry Permit Application Procedures

Falconry is not a sport for your part-time entertainment. It requires a great deal of knowledge about raptor biology, care and hunting skills. Dedication is also necessary. Be prepared to commit a minimum of 2 hours per day year-round to your bird(s) before attempting to become licensed.

Still interested? Then the next step is to read up on the sport. You can find information and a list of resources for further reading at the Wisconsin Falconry Association (exit DNR) and the North American Falconers Association (exit DNR). You are also encouraged to talk and spend time with an experienced falconer.

After you are thoroughly acquainted with the sport and are familiar with Wisconsin’s Falconry regulations (Chapter NR 18 [PDF exit DNR]), you are ready to apply for the required permit. The steps are as follows:

1. Examination – Schedule an examination date through your local wildlife manager or conservation warden. To find out who your local warden or wildlife biologist is, contact your local DNR Service Center (exit DNR). You must score 80% or better on the written exam before proceeding to the next step.
2. Locate a sponsor – First time applicants are called “apprentice class falconers”. More experienced falconers are either general (2 to 7 years of experience) or master class falconers (over 7 years of experience). Apprentice class falconers must have a general or master class falconer as a sponsor at the time of application.
3. Facilities and Equipment – Standards for equipment are established by NR 18.07 [PDF exit DNR]. You should prepare to meet those standards before submitting your application. Inspection of the facilities and equipment will take place soon after your application is filed.
4. Application – Complete both a state and a federal falconry permit application form and submit it through your local wildlife manager or conservation warden. The federal application form is available online [PDF exit DNR] (see also Falconry Questions and Answers (exit DNR).) Request a copy of the state application form by contacting Stacy Rowe at 608-266-7012. Application fees are required for both the state and federal applications. Submit with your application a check for $100 made out to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and a $75 check made payable to the Wisconsin DNR. The warden or wildlife manager will send your application packet to the Endangered Resources Program central office in Madison for processing.
5. Permit issuance – After approval of equipment and facilities, you will receive the permit within approximately 30 days. Note, the permit approved by the state is forwarded to Minneapolis for a joint approval by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
6. Raptor Possession – After your permit is received, you may obtain a raptor by trapping or gift as described in NR 18.10 and 18.12 [PDF exit DNR]

Please note: If you plan to practice falconry using a listed species, you will also need to apply for and obtain an Endangered and Threatened Species Permit.