How to Get a Falconry License in New Hampshire
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in New Hampshire
Falconry in New Hampshire is regulated by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, specifically the Wildlife Division. To practice falconry legally in NH, 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.
New Hampshire's falconry exam consists of 100 questions, and you need 80% or higher to pass. Up-front fees for an apprentice come to $50. New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
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 New Hampshire
We haven't been able to confirm an active falconry club in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire is handled through the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The New Hampshire falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% on the 100-question paper. Contact Wildlife Division to schedule
- •California Hawking Club Apprentice Study Guide
- •Federal falconry regulations
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in New Hampshire pays $50 up front, covering the application and 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 New Hampshire issues a licence. New Hampshire 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. Standard federal requirements; inspection by Conservation Officer
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in New Hampshire
- Permits die on 31 December, and never last past three years
- New Hampshire falconry permits expire on 31 December and are not valid for more than three years from the date of issue or renewal — so the term is capped and the expiry date is fixed, whatever month you were licensed in.
- Falconry sits outside the general wildlife rules
- Capture, possession and propagation of birds for falconry under RSA 209-A and Fis 813 are expressly exempt from the state's general rules on importing, possessing and propagating wildlife.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in New Hampshire
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Want to get into falconry in New Hampshire? 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 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department on (603) 271-3421. Last checked 2026-08-21.