Pennsylvania Falconry License

🏛️ Wildlife Agency

All falconry licensing in Pennsylvania is handled through the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.

📝 Exam Requirements

The Pennsylvania 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 PA Game Commission for falconry exam scheduling

Southeastern states generally offer their falconry exams at regional wildlife offices, with some states now providing online or remote testing options. The exam focuses on raptor biology, federal and state regulations, housing standards, and training techniques. Plan to study for at least two months and seek out your state falconry club's recommended reading list. Southeastern states may have unique regulations regarding trapping locations near coastal areas and migratory bird corridors.

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 Pennsylvania falconry license is varies (application plus license fee). You will also need to renew annually. These fees are separate from your federal falconry permit and state hunting license, which may have additional costs. Note: Per 58 Pa. Code § 147.102: $25 non-refundable examination fee. Permit fee set by section 2904. Nonresident raptor take permit: $100. Must possess valid PA hunting license.

🏠 Facility Requirements

Before receiving your Pennsylvania falconry license, your raptor housing facilities must meet state standards.Pennsylvania 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. Federal minimum standards apply - 8x8 ft minimum mews

Southeastern humidity is the primary challenge when designing raptor housing. Your mews should maximize airflow with screened openings positioned to catch prevailing breezes while keeping out driving rain common during summer storm seasons. Consider materials that resist mold and mildew in the humid environment. Adequate drainage around the mews foundation is essential, as heavy rainfall can create standing water that attracts pests and compromises facility hygiene.

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 Pennsylvania

The southeastern falconry community is a close-knit network of passionate falconers who take pride in mentoring the next generation. The region hosts several annual field meets where falconers gather to fly their birds in some of the best rabbit and squirrel hawking habitat in the country. Cooper's Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks are the most popular species, well-suited to the mixed forest and edge habitat that characterizes the Southeast.

🪤 Trapping in Pennsylvania

Southeastern trapping takes advantage of the region's mix of agricultural land, pine plantations, and hardwood bottoms where raptors concentrate during migration and throughout the winter. Passage Red-tailed Hawks frequent power line corridors and field edges that border wooded areas, making roadside trapping productive from late September into November. The dense vegetation common in the Southeast means falconers often need to set traps in clearings, along logging roads, or at the edges of recently harvested fields where raptors perch on exposed snags. Bow nets and bal-chatri traps work well, though the abundant ground cover may require creative placement to ensure raptors can spot the bait from their perching positions.

🦅 Popular Falconry Species

Red-tailed Hawks are the backbone of southeastern falconry, thriving in the patchwork of farmland and forest that defines the region's landscape. Their willingness to hunt in dense cover makes them ideal for pursuing cottontails in the briar thickets and fencerows that are common quarry habitat. Cooper's Hawks are increasingly popular among southeastern falconers, prized for their agility in pursuing squirrels through hardwood canopy and their effectiveness in the tight, wooded environments that characterize much of the region. Harris's Hawks have a following in the southern portions of the Southeast, where warmer winters allow comfortable year-round flying and the brushy terrain suits their cooperative hunting style.

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

🌡️ Climate & Seasonal Considerations

The Southeast enjoys one of the most favorable falconry climates in the United States, with a flying season that typically spans from early October through late March. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing for extended periods in the coastal plain and piedmont, though mountain areas of the Appalachians can see significant cold and snow. The primary weather challenges are summer heat and humidity, which make June through September impractical for regular flying, and the afternoon thunderstorms that develop almost daily during the warm months. Tropical weather systems from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico require sturdy mews construction and a hurricane preparedness plan for coastal falconers.

🤝 Finding a Mentor in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

Obtaining your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Game Commission and aim for a score well above the 80% minimum.

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