How to Get a Falconry License in Delaware
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Delaware
Falconry in Delaware is regulated by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife, specifically the Division of Fish and Wildlife. To practice falconry legally in DE, you need a state falconry permit. A separate federal falconry permit is no longer issued to individual falconers — the state permit is the one that matters. The process involves passing a written exam, having your facilities inspected, and finding a licensed sponsor if you are applying as an apprentice.
Delaware does not publish how many questions its falconry exam has. You need 80% or higher to pass it. There is no state fee for the permit itself. Delaware does not publish a minimum mews size, so build to the federal standard and confirm before your inspection. Below is what you need to get started with falconry in Delaware.
The northeastern United States offers a rich tradition of falconry set against a backdrop of deciduous forests, rolling farmland, and coastal marshes. Northeastern falconers pursue a variety of quarry including cottontails, gray squirrels, and pheasants across a patchwork of public and private lands. The dramatic seasonal changes create distinct hunting conditions, from early fall flights through New England foliage to late-season hunts in snow-covered fields, each requiring adaptability and skill.
More on falconry across the Northeast, including trapping seasons, terrain and the regional community.
No active club on file for Delaware
We haven't been able to confirm an active falconry club in Delaware. The national directory can put you in touch with falconers nearby, and if you know of a club here we would genuinely like to hear about it.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Delaware is handled through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Delaware falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Delaware does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife when you book it. Contact DE Division of Fish and Wildlife for exam scheduling
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
Delaware charges no fee for a falconry permit. Terms vary by state — some annual, some three or five years — so confirm yours with the agency. This is separate from the state hunting licence you will also need.
Source: agency documentChecked September 13, 2026.
🏠 Facility Requirements
Your facilities must pass inspection before Delaware issues a licence. Delaware sets no minimum mews floor area in its regulations. The federal standards under 50 CFR 21.82 apply: the enclosure must protect the bird from predators and weather and let it fully extend its wings. 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
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Delaware
- Delaware adopts the federal rules by reference
- The state adopts Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations for falconry, leaving the Department to add only what is needed on top. Read 50 CFR first; it is the substance here.
- The permit alone does not let you hunt
- A Delaware falconry permit authorises hunting game birds and game animals only when accompanied by a current hunting licence, and within the state's seasons and bag limits.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-04.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Delaware
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Delaware the state club is where those introductions happen. Sponsors tend to say yes to people who have already started studying and who turn up more than once.
The ask itself is covered in our guide to finding a falconry sponsor.
How to Become a Falconer in Delaware
Want to get into falconry in Delaware? Here is the recommended path to your license:
- 1Study for the exam — Use our exam prep guide and the study materials listed above.
- 2Find a sponsor — Connect with local falconers — see our guide to finding a sponsor.
- 3Build your facilities — Review mews construction requirements before starting.
- 4Serve your apprenticeship — Plan on at least two years flying one bird under your sponsor — our falconry apprenticeship guide covers what those years involve.
- 5Follow the complete path — See our step-by-step path to becoming a falconer for the full timeline.
- 6Know the license classes — Understand the three license classes and how you will progress from apprentice to general to master.
- 7Budget for equipment — Beyond the mews, work through the falconry equipment list, which prices each item you will need for your first season.
- 8Know the federal rules — Every state’s rules sit on the same federal framework — our guide to federal falconry regulations covers license classes, reporting and moving between states.
This page is a summary for general information, not legal advice. Falconry regulations change, and the authoritative source is always the state agency. Confirm anything you plan to act on with Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), Division of Fish and Wildlife on 302-739-9910. Last checked 2026-08-21.