Ohio Falconry License

🏛️ Wildlife Agency

All falconry licensing in Ohio is handled through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.

📝 Exam Requirements

The Ohio falconry exam tests your knowledge of raptor biology, training techniques, housing requirements, health care, and both state and federal regulations. You must score at least 80% on the 100-question test to qualify for a license. Contact Division of Wildlife to schedule exam

Midwestern states typically administer falconry exams at state wildlife agency offices, often on a scheduled basis. Some states offer testing at multiple locations to accommodate the large geographic areas involved. Begin your exam preparation at least two months in advance, with emphasis on raptor identification, housing requirements, and the specific trapping regulations in your state. Midwestern falconry clubs are often excellent resources for exam study groups and practice materials.

Effective exam preparation involves a combination of textbook study, hands-on learning, and practice testing. The California Hawking Club Study Guide and the Apprentice Study Manual published by NAFA are widely recommended starting points. Many successful applicants also attend local club meetings where experienced falconers review exam topics and share insights on the questions most commonly missed. Plan to review raptor anatomy, molt cycles, common diseases, equipment requirements, and the federal regulations in 50 CFR 21.29 until you can recall key details from memory.

Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.

💰 Fees

The total upfront cost for a Ohio falconry license is $100 (application plus license fee). You will also need to renew annually at $25 per year. These fees are separate from your federal falconry permit and state hunting license, which may have additional costs. Note: New permit: $75 application fee + $25/year (3-year permit = $150 total). Renewal: $25/year. Per OAC 1501:31-37-01

🏠 Facility Requirements

Before receiving your Ohio falconry license, your raptor housing facilities must meet state standards.Ohio requires a minimum mews size of 64 square feet. A separate weathering area is required where your bird can sun and bathe outdoors. Your facilities must pass a wildlife officer inspection before you can be licensed. Follows federal minimum standards - 8x8ft mews with at least one window

The midwestern climate demands robust raptor housing that can withstand harsh winters and hot, humid summers. Your mews should be well-insulated against sub-zero temperatures while still providing adequate ventilation during warmer months. Consider a design with adjustable ventilation panels that can be opened during summer and sealed in winter. Wind protection is critical on the open plains, so orient your mews to shield against prevailing north and northwest winter winds.

Building a compliant mews typically costs between $500 and $2,000 for materials, depending on size and construction quality. Most falconers use pressure-treated lumber for the frame, half-inch hardware cloth for ventilation panels, and exterior-grade plywood or T1-11 siding for walls. The floor should be easy to clean, with many falconers choosing pea gravel or sand over solid surfaces for drainage. Budget additional time and materials for the weathering yard, which requires secure fencing, a bath pan, and at least one perch positioned to allow your bird full sun and shade access throughout the day.

For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.

🔗 Resources

🏔️ Falconry in Ohio

Midwestern falconry has deep roots, with many of the country's most respected falconers calling the region home. The accessible landscape and abundant game populations make the Midwest an excellent place to learn falconry as an apprentice. State clubs regularly organize field meets, workshops, and mentorship events throughout the hunting season. The combination of open terrain and plentiful cottontail populations makes this region ideal for developing foundational hawking skills with a Red-tailed Hawk.

🪤 Trapping in Ohio

The Midwest offers outstanding trapping opportunities from late September through November as both resident and migrating Red-tailed Hawks concentrate along agricultural corridors and river valleys. Passage hawks are commonly found perching on utility poles, grain elevator structures, and isolated trees at field edges where mice and voles are abundant after harvest. Bal-chatri traps are the method of choice for roadside trapping, and the flat terrain allows falconers to spot potential quarry from considerable distances. The network of county roads bordering cropland provides nearly unlimited trapping access in most midwestern states, and many falconers develop productive routes through reliable areas they scout year after year.

🦅 Popular Falconry Species

Red-tailed Hawks are the undisputed king of midwestern falconry, and for good reason: they are abundant, hardy enough for harsh winters, and supremely effective on the cottontail rabbits that populate every fencerow, woodlot, and brushy ditch across the heartland. The wide-open terrain also supports a growing number of longwing falconers flying Peregrine Falcons and Prairie Falcons on waterfowl and upland game across harvested fields. At the general level, many midwestern falconers fly large female Red-tails on jackrabbits in western Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, where the open grassland allows spectacular pursuit flights that can cover hundreds of yards.

Explore detailed profiles of each species in our falconry species guide.

🌡️ Climate & Seasonal Considerations

The midwestern falconry season runs from early October through February, bookended by autumn harvest and the onset of spring. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero in the northern plains states, requiring careful weight management and limiting flight time on the coldest days when prey stays underground. Snow cover can be a blessing in disguise, concentrating rabbits in accessible cover and making tracking easier. The shoulder seasons of October and late February often provide the best flying conditions, with moderate temperatures and active quarry. Midwestern falconers must also contend with wind, which can be relentless across the open plains and may ground longwing flights on otherwise flyable days.

🤝 Finding a Mentor in Ohio

Every apprentice falconer needs a licensed sponsor who holds a general or master class permit. Finding the right mentor is one of the most important steps in your falconry journey, and Ohio has an active community ready to help newcomers learn the craft. Start by attending meetings of your state falconry club, where you can meet experienced falconers in a relaxed setting and demonstrate your genuine interest in the sport. Many sponsors prefer to work with apprentices who have already begun studying for the exam and show commitment to the long-term responsibilities of raptor care.

If your state club does not have a formal mentorship matching program, reach out to the North American Falconers' Association or post an introduction in regional falconry forums. Be prepared to travel to meet potential sponsors, as falconry communities in some states are spread across large areas. The mentor-apprentice relationship typically lasts at least two years, during which your sponsor will guide you through trapping your first bird, building training skills, and developing the judgment that comes only from experience in the field.

Read our complete guide to finding a falconry sponsor for detailed advice on connecting with mentors.

🗺️ Your Path to a License in Ohio

Obtaining your Ohio falconry license is a multi-step process that typically takes three to six months from your first study session to holding a licensed raptor. The journey begins with self-education: read foundational texts, study raptor biology and regulations, and attend local club meetings to absorb knowledge from experienced practitioners. Once you feel confident in your understanding of the material, schedule your written exam through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and aim for a score well above the 80% minimum.

After passing the exam, focus on building your facilities to meet Ohio's standards and securing a licensed sponsor. Your sponsor will help you navigate the facility inspection process and guide your first trapping experience once your license is approved. With your mews inspected and your permits in hand, you will be ready to trap your first raptor and begin the most rewarding phase of your falconry education: learning in the field alongside your bird. The effort required to earn your license is significant, but every licensed falconer will tell you that the reward of flying a trained raptor over wild quarry is worth every hour of preparation.