How to Get a Falconry License in Oregon
Requirements, fees, exam, and resources for getting into falconry in Oregon
Falconry in Oregon is regulated by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), specifically the ODFW. To practice falconry legally in OR, 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.
Oregon 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 $167. Oregon 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 Oregon.
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 Oregon 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 Oregon Falconers Association. Of everything on this page, this is the link worth following first.
🏛️ Wildlife Agency
All falconry licensing in Oregon is handled through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). Contact them directly with questions about exam scheduling, license applications, and facility inspections.
📝 Exam Requirements
The Oregon falconry exam covers raptor biology, training, housing, health care, and both state and federal regulation. You need at least 80% to pass. Oregon does not publish the number of questions on its falconry exam. Confirm the format with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) when you book it. Contact ODFW for exam scheduling. May retake 30 days after failed attempt.
- •Federal falconry regulations (50 CFR 21.82)
- •Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 635 Division 55
- •Oregon Falconers Association resources
Need help preparing? See our falconry exam preparation guide for study strategies and practice questions.
💰 Fees
A new apprentice in Oregon pays $167 up front, covering the permit and facility inspection. 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 Oregon issues a licence. Oregon 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. Inspection required before first license is issued. Temporary facilities allowed up to 30 days (120 days with authorization).
For detailed construction guidance, see our mews construction guide and facility requirements overview.
🦅 Species Notes
Oregon sets its own rules on which raptors may be flown. Federal rules already limit apprentices to red-tailed hawks and American kestrels; the restrictions below are what Oregon adds on top.
- ⚠️Peregrine falcon take limited to 10 per year, Master/General class only
- ⚠️Gyrfalcon take limited to 3 per season, Master class only
- ⚠️Northern harrier limited to 5 per season
- ⚠️Great horned owl nestlings may be taken Feb-June only
Species profiles are in our falconry species guide.
🔗 Resources
📋 Falconry specifics in Oregon
- Inspection can come without notice
- Oregon states that inspections of falconry facilities may take place without warrant or notice. Absent an emergency they are limited to regular and usual business hours — but the checklist counts weekends as business hours.
- Three situations trigger an inspection
- A facilities inspection is required for all new falconry applicants, for falconers who have moved to Oregon from another state, and for existing Oregon falconers with newly constructed facilities.
- Standards apply after approval, not just at it
- All facilities and equipment must be maintained at or above the level that was approved, and stay subject to inspection by the Department or by Oregon State Police.
🤝 Finding a Mentor in Oregon
Every apprentice needs a sponsor holding a general or master permit, and in Oregon 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 Oregon
Want to get into falconry in Oregon? 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 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) on (503) 947-6301. Last checked 2026-08-21.