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Falconry License

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Fees

Fees include a nonrefundable three percent (3%) application fee, not to exceed $7.50 per item. (Section 700.4, Title 14, California Code of Regulations)

Valid July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024

Entitlements Fee Description
Falconry Application Fee $18.54 Required for processing new and renewal applications.
Falconry License $102.23 Issued to any person at least 12 years of age, in possession of raptors to take game or nongame birds or mammals. Must also possess a hunting license.
Administrative Processing Fee $17.25 Required for Department staff entering reporting information into the Department's online reporting system.
Examination Fee $64.25 Required at time of initial examination or to retake the examination.
Inspection Fee Up to five enclosures: $339.75
Each additional enclosure: $17.25 		Required for every new applicant, an applicant renewing a lapsed license, or a licensee that moves housing facilities to a new address.
Nonresident Raptor Capture Permit $416.50 Issued to any nonresident who wants to take raptors in from the wild in California and is licensed to practice falconry in another state.
Special Raptor Capture Drawing Application $7.73 Required at the time of application.

News Alert

ANNOUNCEMENT (Updated November 16, 2022): As required pursuant to a Stipulated Judgment and Court Order issued on November 10, 2022, in the case Peter Stavrianoudakis v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service et. al, Case No. 1:18-cv-01505-JLT-BAM, CDFW will no longer be enforcing provisions of California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 670, subdivision (h)(13)(A) that are crossed out below:

(A) Education and Exhibiting. A licensee may use raptors in his or her possession for training purposes, education, field meets, and media (filming, photography, advertisements, etc.), as noted in 50 CFR 21, if the licensee possesses the appropriate valid federal permits, as long as the raptor is primarily used for falconry and the activity is related to the practice of falconry or biology, ecology or conservation of raptors and other migratory birds. Any fees charged, compensation, or pay received during the use of falconry raptors for these purposes may not exceed the amount required to recover costs. An Apprentice falconer may use the licensee's falconry raptor for education purposes only under the supervision of a General or Master falconer.

FALCONRY EXAM UPDATE: The CDFW has resumed offering falconry examinations on a limited basis at some CDFW regional offices. Please contact the CDFW regional office near you for more information.

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