Wildlife Conservation Permits: Falconry Permits

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There are three levels of falconry permits: apprentice, general and master. All falconers must have proper facilities and federal and state permits before possessing a bird. Apprentice falconers must practice the sport under a general or master level sponsor for two years before upgrading to general class. Apprentice falconers must capture their birds from the wild; general and master level falconers can obtain birds through a breeding project or from another falconer.

See link below to be directed to the current falconry regulations:
Texas Administrative Code Regulations for Raptor Proclamations.

To Become an Apprentice Falconer

• Complete and submit the Falconry Permit Application, including the required application fee and Statement of Sponsor form. Please note: Incomplete submissions or separately submitted forms will not be processed.
• After your application has been reviewed, you will receive an email containing a link to schedule the Online Falconry Exam. Exam sessions are 2.5 hours long including a 30 minute sign-in period and are offered on the following schedule:
  1. First Tuesday in February
  2. First Tuesday in May
  3. First Tuesday in August
  4. First Tuesday in November
• To take the online exam you will need an internet connection and a web camera. Applicants are welcome to use a public library or a borrowed computer, but they must answer the questions on the exam without assistance from anyone else. Applicants without this access can request in-person exam in Austin offered once per year on one of the above dates.
• You must achieve a minimum score of 80% on the exam to pass. If you do not meet this requirement, you will need to retake the exam when it is offered on the schedule above.
• Upon passing the exam, the Falconry Administrator will notify the Game Warden Captain in your area to initiate a required inspection of your falconry mews.
• A Game Warden will contact you by phone to arrange a mutually convenient time for the inspection.

Forms:

• Falconry overview PDF
• Falconry Permit application Word Document
• Statement of sponsor Word Document

Raptor Propagation: These permits authorize raising birds of prey for use in the sport of falconry. Permittees must have at least five years of experience in the sport and adequate facilities to house breeding birds.

• Application for Raptor Propagator Permit Word Document

Nonresident Raptor Trapper: This permit allows falconers who have current resident-state and federal falconry permits to come to Texas and trap a bird of prey during the trapping season.

• Application for Non-Resident Raptor Trapping Permit PDF

Peregrine Trapping Permit

• General and Master Falconers (residents and nonresident) may apply for the TPWD Peregrine Trapping Permit drawing beginning January 1 of each year.
• Typically, about 35 permits are issued annually through the drawing: 21 permits for resident applicants and 14 for nonresident applicants.
• The drawing is held in May, and results are promptly emailed to all applicants.
• Permit holders may attempt to trap a Peregrine Falcon during the designated trapping season, which runs from September 20 through October 20 each year.
• A valid hunting license is required for all permit holders during trapping activities

Forms:

• Hunting Licenses — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
• Non-resident application for Peregrine Trapping Permit PDF
• Resident application for Peregrine Trapping Permit PDF

Accessibility

• Notice regarding access to falconry customer information PDF