California Falconry License

🏛️ Wildlife Agency

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

📝 Exam Requirements

The California 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 nearest CDFW Regional Office to schedule exam

Many western states administer their falconry exams through regional wildlife offices or online proctoring systems. Because western states often cover large geographic areas, exam scheduling may require some travel or advance planning. Begin studying at least two to three months before your intended test date, focusing on raptor identification, federal regulations, and the specific state rules that govern trapping seasons and species allowances in your area.

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 California falconry license is $129.53 (application plus license fee). You will also need to renew annually at $109.7 per year. These fees are separate from your federal falconry permit and state hunting license, which may have additional costs. Note: Verified from official CDFW website. Nonresident raptor capture permit: $446.75. Inspection fee: $364.25 (up to 5 enclosures), $18.54 each additional. Special Raptor Capture Drawing: $8.13. Administrative processing fee: $18.54. All fees include 3% nonrefundable application fee (max $7.50). Valid July 1 through June 30. 2025 fee schedule.

🏠 Facility Requirements

Before receiving your California falconry license, your raptor housing facilities must meet state standards.California 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. Inspection required for new applicants, lapsed license renewals, or when moving facilities to new address. May share existing inspected facility with another licensed falconer.

Western climates range from hot desert conditions in the Southwest to frigid mountain winters in the Rockies. Your mews should provide adequate shade and ventilation during summer heat while offering wind protection and insulation during cold snaps. In arid regions, pay special attention to water access for bathing and humidity control. Consider the orientation of your mews to take advantage of morning sun while avoiding intense afternoon heat.

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

California 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.

• ⚠️Special Raptor Capture Drawing required for peregrine falcon take
• ⚠️Fees charged for raptor use in education/media may not exceed cost recovery (per recent legal settlement)

Learn more about each species in our falconry species guide.

🔗 Resources

🏔️ Falconry in California

Western states have some of the oldest and most active falconry communities in North America, with many clubs hosting annual field meets in prime hunting territory. The open terrain encourages longwing falconry, making the West a stronghold for peregrine and prairie falcon enthusiasts. Apprentices can expect a welcoming community of experienced falconers eager to share knowledge about the unique hunting opportunities and raptor species found across the western landscape.

🪤 Trapping in California

Western trapping seasons typically open in early fall, coinciding with the passage of juvenile raptors migrating through mountain passes and river corridors. Bal-chatri traps and bow nets are the most common methods used on the open terrain, where visibility allows falconers to spot and approach potential quarry from a distance. The vast public lands across the West provide ample opportunities to locate passage Red-tailed Hawks along highway medians, fence posts, and utility poles. Apprentices should scout trapping locations ahead of the season, noting raptor concentration areas near agricultural fields where prey is abundant.

🦅 Popular Falconry Species

Red-tailed Hawks dominate western falconry at the apprentice level due to their abundance across every western state and their versatility in hunting both rabbits and ground squirrels in open terrain. Prairie Falcons are a prized western specialty, uniquely adapted to the arid steppe and capable of spectacular stoops over sagebrush flats. Harris's Hawks are increasingly popular in the Southwest, where the warm climate supports year-round flying and their cooperative pack-hunting behavior makes them exceptional field companions. At the general and master levels, Peregrine Falcons are widely flown in the western states for waterfowl and upland game.

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

🌡️ Climate & Seasonal Considerations

The western falconry season is shaped by dramatic elevation changes and varied microclimates. In low desert regions of Arizona, Nevada, and Southern California, falconers can fly birds from October through March with mild daytime temperatures and dry conditions. Higher elevations in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming bring deep snow and bitter cold by December, shortening the practical flying season but concentrating quarry in accessible lowland areas. Spring winds across the Great Plains and intermountain basins can make flying challenging, with sustained gusts above 25 mph grounding all but the strongest longwings. Smart western falconers plan their seasons around weather windows and learn to read the landscape for sheltered hunting spots.

🤝 Finding a Mentor in California

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 California 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 California

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

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