Falconry License Requirements & Costs by State

Falconry in the American West traces its modern roots to the mid-twentieth century, when pioneering falconers began adapting Old World traditions to the vast open landscapes of the region. The West became the birthplace of prairie falcon falconry and a crucible for longwing techniques that took advantage of the unobstructed terrain and reliable thermal activity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Midwest has been central to American falconry since the sport's organized beginnings in the 1940s and 1950s. The Peregrine Fund, one of the most important raptor conservation organizations in the world, traces its origins to midwestern falconers who recognized the peregrine's decline and pioneered captive breeding techniques that eventually restored wild populations across the continent.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Southern falconry gained momentum in the 1970s and 1980s as Harris's Hawk falconry emerged in Texas and spread across the Gulf states. The mild climate and accessible terrain attracted a growing community of falconers who developed techniques uniquely suited to the brushy, warm landscapes of the region, establishing the South as a year-round falconry destination.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Falconry in the Southeast evolved around the region's abundant squirrel and rabbit populations, with Cooper's Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk falconry becoming defining traditions. Southeastern falconry clubs have been active since the 1960s, cultivating a strong culture of apprentice mentorship and conservation advocacy that continues to grow the sport across the region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Northeast holds a distinguished place in American falconry history, with some of the earliest organized falconry activity in the United States occurring in New York, Pennsylvania, and the New England states during the mid-twentieth century. The region produced many of the foundational figures in the North American Falconers' Association and continues to be a center of falconry scholarship, raptor research, and conservation leadership.

Northeastern trapping is shaped by the region's compact geography and the autumn raptor migration that funnels birds along the Atlantic coast and Appalachian ridgelines. Passage Red-tailed Hawks and Cooper's Hawks concentrate at well-known migration corridors, and experienced trappers time their efforts to coincide with peak movement in October and November. The suburban and exurban landscapes common in the Northeast mean that falconers must be thoughtful about trapping locations, obtaining landowner permission and choosing sites away from busy roads and residential areas. Dho-gazi nets and bal-chatri traps both work well, and the shorter distances between trapping areas allow northeastern falconers to check multiple sites in a single outing.

Red-tailed Hawks are the cornerstone of northeastern falconry, performing well in the fragmented woodland and field-edge habitat that is typical of the region. They are especially effective on cottontails in the brushy margins of agricultural land, old orchards, and power line cuts that provide ideal hunting cover. Cooper's Hawks have a devoted following among northeastern falconers who enjoy the challenge of flying these fast, agile accipiters in tight woodland settings on squirrels and starlings. Peregrine Falcons are flown by experienced falconers along the coast for duck hawking, taking advantage of the Atlantic flyway migration and the extensive marshland found from New Jersey through Maine.

The northeastern falconry season spans roughly October through February, with the quality of flying depending heavily on weather patterns that can change dramatically from week to week. Early season offers comfortable temperatures and active quarry before the first hard frosts, while midwinter brings short days, deep cold, and occasional nor'easters that can shut down flying for days at a time. Snow cover is common from December onward in New England and the northern Mid-Atlantic, and while it can make quarry easier to track, it also limits accessible hunting areas. The key to successful northeast falconry is flexibility, adjusting your schedule around weather windows and being prepared to fly on short notice when conditions align.

The Northeast has one of the highest concentrations of falconers in the United States, supported by active state clubs and a strong tradition of mentorship. The region hosts numerous field meets, raptor identification workshops, and educational events throughout the year. Red-tailed Hawks remain the most popular species for apprentices, while experienced falconers enjoy the diverse opportunities offered by the region's varied habitat, from upland game hawking to coastal waterfowl flights.