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Brief Description – Allows possession of raptors for sport hunting purposes.
Checklist:
- Process: All new applicants should contact the AGFD Regional Office for the region in which you reside (see map) to obtain a Falconry Information Pack, and follow the steps outlined in the guidelines below prior to submitting a license application. Applications should be sent to the appropriate Regional Office.
- Application form needed: 2722-A [pdf, 691kb]
- Fee: $87.50
- License valid: Maximum of 3 years (expires 3rd December from date of issue – e.g. 12/31/issue year +2)
- Additional information needed: New falconry applicants must pass a written test and equipment and facilities inspection prior to a license application being able to be approved. It is strongly suggested both these items be done prior to submission of a license application.
- Additional requirements: A federal license is also required for falconry. Once your Arizona license has been approved you should forward a copy of your Arizona application and license to Permit Administrator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Fishery and Migratory Resources; P.O. Box 709, Albuquerque, NM 87103-7882. Once all licenses are in possession, you may capture a bird in accordance with R12-4-422 and Commission Order 25 (Raptors). A copy of Federal form 3-186A must be submitted to both the Department and the FWS within 5 days of acquisition or disposal of a bird.
GUIDELINES FOR THE PROSPECTIVE FALCONER IN ARIZONA
____You must be at least 14 years of age to apply for an apprentice falconer license in Arizona.
____Read over the information in the Falconry Information packet thoroughly. Falconry is a very time consuming and expensive sport. If you decide that falconry is not for you, there are many other ways you can enjoy raptors (go birding, or volunteer at a Hawk Migration Site or at a Center for the Rehabilitation of Raptors). If you still wish to become a falconer; proceed.
____Apply for and receive an Arizona Hunting License. You are also required to possess a Migratory Bird Stamp and/or Waterfowl stamp depending on the prey you intend to hunt.
____Contact local falconers. Information on the Arizona Falconer’s Association (www.azfalconersassoc.org/) can be found on the internet. The Falconry Coordinator of the local AGFD Region may also be able to provide contact numbers for Falconer’s who may be willing to take you on as an apprentice falconer.
____If you can find a suitable General or Master Falconer under which to apprentice, schedule considerable time for your training. You should be willing to adhere to the Falconer’s schedule and location for your training. Remember that you must have a sponsor for your first two years as an apprentice falconer!
____Start thinking about your Falconry Exam now. Ask your sponsor and other falconers for recommended readings on falconry. A list of recommended readings is also provided in the falconry packet. The state exam is given by appointment only and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions involving every aspect of falconry.
____Call the appropriate AGFD Regional office to schedule an appointment with the Falconry Coordinator when you are ready to take the test (first give yourself plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the sport and with other falconers). Allow about an hour to take the test. If you fail the test, you may retake it after a recommended fourteen days.
____Prepare for your facilities and equipment inspection. When your facilities/equipment are ready for inspection, call the appropriate AGFD office to arrange a facilities/equipment inspection through the Regional Falconry Coordinator. (Consult your sponsor, the falconry packet, the Regional Falconry Coordinator, and falconry books for facilities specifications/designs).
____Pass/fail falconry facilities and equipment inspection. If there are any deficiencies found in your facilities or equipment you may be given thirty days to have them corrected. After this period, your facilities may be reinspected (at the investigating officer’s discretion).
____After you pass the falconry test and your facilities/equipment inspection, submit your completed Arizona falconry license application with the appropriate fee ($87.50 for a 3-year license) to the appropriate AGFD Regional office.
____Once your state license is approved, you must now apply for your federal falconry license. Fill out the necessary federal paperwork and mail to the USFWS Migratory Birds Permit Office in Albuquerque, NM. (A federal application is provided in the Arizona falconry information packet; however, we suggest you check http://www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/birdbasics.html, to assure you have the most recent version.) Don't forget to include a copy of your state license with your federal application. Remember, it is your responsibility (and not the AGFD) to communicate accurately and timely all your falconry transactions with the federal/state government. Keep copies of all of your falconry communications in a secured file.
____ After you have in your possession an Arizona Hunting License, and State and Federal Falconry Licenses, Migratory Bird Stamp and HIP Stamp, you may begin to plan trapping your first bird for falconry purposes.
____Arrange with your sponsor to capture your first bird during a “Raptor Capture Season” as defined in AGFD Commission Order 25. As an apprentice falconer you may only possess a wild caught, passage American kestrel or red-tailed hawk. Additionally, an apprentice may only possess one falconry bird at a time and may obtain no more than one replacement bird during any 12-month period.
Note: Contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Migratory Birds Permit Office in Albuquerque, NM for federal requirements (PO Box 709, 505-248-7882).
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