Oklahoma Falconry License

🏛️ Wildlife Agency

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

📝 Exam Requirements

The Oklahoma 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 ODWC to schedule exam with local game warden.

Southern states typically offer frequent exam scheduling through local wildlife offices, with some states providing multiple testing locations across the state. The falconry exam covers raptor biology, housing requirements, training methods, and both state and federal regulations. Allow at least two months of dedicated study time, and take advantage of any practice tests offered by your state falconry club. Pay particular attention to state-specific trapping seasons and species regulations, which can vary significantly across the South.

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 Oklahoma falconry license is $45 (application plus license fee). You will also need to renew annually at $45 per year. These fees are separate from your federal falconry permit and state hunting license, which may have additional costs. Note: Per Oklahoma Statutes §29-4-108: Resident $45, Nonresident $100. Peregrine falcon allocation: 5 permits annually.

🏠 Facility Requirements

Before receiving your Oklahoma falconry license, your raptor housing facilities must meet state standards.Oklahoma 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. Facility inspection required before permit issuance.

The southern climate presents unique considerations for raptor housing. High humidity and warm temperatures mean your mews must have excellent ventilation to prevent respiratory issues in your bird. Consider elevated designs that promote air circulation and include covered areas that provide relief from summer heat and afternoon thunderstorms. Mosquito and pest control around your facilities is also important, as southern regions can have extended insect seasons that affect raptor health.

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.

🦅 Species Notes

Oklahoma has specific regulations regarding which raptor species may be used for falconry. As an apprentice, you are generally limited to Red-tailed Hawks and American Kestrels under federal rules, but state rules may impose additional restrictions or allowances.

• ⚠️Peregrine falcon take limited to 5 per year statewide - contact falconry coordinator before each attempt

Learn more about each species in our falconry species guide.

🔗 Resources

🏔️ Falconry in Oklahoma

Southern falconry has a strong tradition dating back decades, with active clubs in most states organizing field meets, educational workshops, and mentorship programs. The mild climate allows for one of the longest hunting seasons in the country, and the accessible terrain makes the South an excellent region for apprentice falconers to gain experience. Harris's Hawk falconry is particularly popular in the deep South and Texas, where cast flying opportunities abound in open brush country.

🪤 Trapping in Oklahoma

Southern trapping seasons often extend longer than in northern states, reflecting the region's extended raptor migration window and resident populations. Bal-chatri traps baited with mice or sparrows remain the standard method, and the network of rural roads and agricultural edges throughout the South provides excellent roadside trapping opportunities. Passage Red-tailed Hawks can be found along fence lines bordering cattle pastures and hay fields from late September through November. Southern falconers should be mindful of the heat when trapping early in the season and carry water and shade cloth to protect a freshly caught bird from heat stress during transport.

🦅 Popular Falconry Species

Harris's Hawks are the signature species of southern falconry, particularly in Texas and the Gulf states where wild populations thrive in mesquite and brush country. Their social nature allows falconers to fly them in casts of two or three, creating a cooperative hunting dynamic unlike any other raptor species. Red-tailed Hawks are universally popular across the South for their adaptability and effectiveness on cottontails in fencerow and farmland habitat. In the deeper South, Cooper's Hawks are gaining popularity among experienced falconers who enjoy the challenge of flying these agile accipiters on squirrels in hardwood forests and suburban green spaces.

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

🌡️ Climate & Seasonal Considerations

The southern falconry season benefits from a long autumn that extends well into winter without the harsh freezes that limit flying in northern states. From October through February, temperatures across most of the South range between 40 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit during prime hunting hours, ideal conditions for both raptor and falconer. The primary challenge is summer heat, which forces most southern falconers to put their birds up by April and not resume regular flying until October. Hurricane season from June through November can disrupt plans and requires solid mews construction to protect housed raptors. Afternoon thunderstorms are common through the warm months, so falconers learn to fly early in the day during transition seasons.

🤝 Finding a Mentor in Oklahoma

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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma

Obtaining your Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and aim for a score well above the 80% minimum.

After passing the exam, focus on building your facilities to meet Oklahoma'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.