How to Get a Falconry License in Montana
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Montana
Falconry in Montana is regulated by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP), specifically the FWP. To practice falconry legally in MT, 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.
Montana 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 $50. Montana 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 Montana.
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.
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The Montana 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 Montana Falconers Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Montana is handled through the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP). Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Montana falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Montana does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP) when you book it. Contact FWP for exam scheduling
- •Federal falconry regulations (50 CFR 21)
- •Montana Falconry Guidelines
- •Administrative Rules of Montana Title 12
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in Montana pays $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 Montana issues a licence. Montana 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
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Montana
- A propagation licence is an alternative, not an add-on
- Montana makes it unlawful to possess or train a raptor for falconry without either a falconry licence or a raptor propagation licence — the two are named as alternatives at the threshold, rather than one sitting on top of the other.
- The sponsor takes responsibility for the two years
- Montana's own wording is that to apply for an apprentice licence you must first obtain a sponsor who is a general or master falconer and "will take responsibility for your two years of training" — responsibility, not just availability.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-04.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Montana
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Montana 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 Montana
Want to get into falconry in Montana? 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 Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP) on (406) 444-2535. Last checked 2026-08-21.