How to Get a Falconry License in Idaho
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Idaho
Falconry in Idaho is regulated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, specifically the IDFG. To practice falconry legally in ID, 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.
Idaho does not publish how many questions its falconry exam has. You need 80% or higher to pass it. Up-front fees for an apprentice come to $80.50. Idaho 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 Idaho.
The western United States offers some of the most diverse falconry terrain in the country, from open sagebrush flats ideal for longwing flights to mountainous forests suited to shortwing pursuits. Western falconers commonly hunt jackrabbits, cottontails, and upland game birds across vast public lands. The arid climate and wide-open spaces make the West a premier destination for falconers who prefer long, dramatic flights with falcons and buteos alike.
More on falconry across the West, including trapping seasons, terrain and the regional community.
Start here
The Idaho Falconers Association
You cannot be licensed as an apprentice without a sponsor, and almost everyone finds theirs through the state club. Meets, field days and introductions to general and master falconers all run through Idaho Falconers Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Idaho is handled through the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Idaho falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Idaho does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Idaho Department of Fish and Game when you book it. Contact IDFG for exam scheduling
- •Federal falconry regulations (50 CFR 21)
- •Idaho Administrative Code IDAPA 13.01.14
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in Idaho pays $80.50 up front, covering the 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 Idaho issues a licence. Idaho 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. Your facilities must pass a wildlife officer inspection before you can be licensed. Federal minimum standards apply. Idaho falconry permit required before obtaining a bird.
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
📋 Falconry specifics in Idaho
- Taking a bird out of Idaho means reporting where you caught it
- A non-resident who captures a raptor intending to remove it from Idaho must notify the Department regional office of the capture location before transporting it out of state, and no later than ten days after the capture.
- Breeding is a separate federal permit
- No one may propagate raptors in captivity, or take, possess or transfer a raptor, raptor egg or raptor semen for propagation, without a valid federal Raptor Propagation Permit. A falconry permit does not cover it.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Idaho
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Idaho 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 Idaho
Want to get into falconry in Idaho? 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 Idaho Department of Fish and Game on (208) 334-3700. Last checked 2026-08-21.