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State of Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources
Procedures For Becoming an Apprentice Falconer
Edited and revised by Eddie Horvath
In order to conform to guide-
lines published in the Federal
Falconry Permit Regulations
(50 CFR 1-b-21), the Division
of Wildlife Resources requires
that all applicants for a Utah
Falconry Certificate of Regis-
tration (COR) take and pass an
examination designed to test
their knowledge of falconry,
care of raptors, regulations,
housing, terminology and dise-
ases. The attached list of re-
ading materials, available at
bookstores, libraries or thro-
ugh the Inter-library loan are
valuable references in preper-
ation for the examination. A
minimum score of 80% is requi-
red to pass. If necessary, you
may re-test after 14 days. The
Haggard tiercel American Kestrel with a freshly test is given at all Division
caught Starling. offices by appointment only.
After you have passed the examination, your facilities and equipment for housing and
weathering a raptor will be inspected. If your facilities meet the minimum criteria
you will be given an application for a Utah Falconry COR. Please complete it accur-
ately and completely and return it with your sponsor's signature and the appropriate
COR fee. Your COR will then be issued. A Federal Falconry Permit is no longer requ-
ired in the State of Utah.
Once you receive the State COR you must show it at the time you purchase your Raptor
Capture Permit. Please refer to the updated Falconry Administrative Rule for all of
the season dates and other restrictions.
If you have any questions, or would like to make arrangements for the exam or facil-
ities inspection, please contact the closest Division office. Office locations and
phone numbers are listed in this packet.
Summary of Steps:
1. Read and understand the Utah Falconry Proclamation and other falconry
resources.
2. Take and pass the Utah Falconry test with a score of 80% or better.
3. Have facilities and equipment inspected and approved.
4. Find a sponsor who holds a current General or Master Class Permit.
5. Apply for State Falconry COR and Federal Falconry Permit.
6. After receiving your State COR, purchase a Capture Permit.
Don't wait until the last minute, these steps take time to complete. You need to al-
low enough time to take care of any unforseen problems. Plan on at least six to
eight weeks to obtain your COR (supposed to only be 30 days but that rarely happens)
before obtaining a Raptor Capture Permit. Do this in plenty of time for trapping
season. I have personally seen the State COR take up to 4 months to be issued and it
seems like the more you call them the slower they go!!
Minimum Housing and Equipment Requirements for Captive Raptors
Proper housing is not only essential to successful falconry, but is required by law
to assure adequate care for captive birds. Those desiring to construct hawk houses
or "mews" should consult reliable falconry texts for specifications. Raptors can be
housed in a home or garage, utilizing the back yard to meet the weathering needs of
the bird.
Remember, a good falconer is judged by the condition of his or her bird!!!!!!!
1. Indoor facilities (mews) for
loose raptors must be large
enough to allow easy access
for care of the birds housed
there. Each bird must be all-
owed enough space to fully ex-
tend its wings. There must be
at least one window for venti-
lation, protected on the in-
side by vertical bars spaced
narrower than the width of the
bird's body. Adequate perches
must be provided. The floor
must permit easy cleaning and
must be well drained. A secure
door that is easily closed is
a necessity. Sanatation around
the perch is also a must.
2. The outdoor facilities must
protect the bird from the ele-
ments as well as cats, dogs &
avian preditors. The enclo-
sure must be large enough to
insure an untethered bird can-
not strike the sides when fly-
ing from the perch.
3. The following pieces of equip-
ment must be in possession of
the applicant before a COR can
be obtained:
a. Aylmeri Jesses
b. Leash & Sampo brand salt
water ball bearing swivel
c. Bath container Haggard hen dark morph red-tail hawk.
d. Outdoor perches
e. Weighing device (Digital scale or a Triple Beam accurate to within 1/2 oz.
You will also need the following equipment for your bird and its proper training:
f. Glove of appropriate size
g. Bells & Bewits (if flying a Red-tail)
h. Hood (if flying a red-tail)
i. Telemetry is recommended but not required for a Red-tail
j. Falconry bag or vest
k. Lure (small bird for a Kestrel or a rabbit for a Red-tail)
l. Creance about 250 yards long
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Regional Offices
Salt Lake Office
1594 W. North Temple
P.O. Box 146301
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6301
801-538-4700 | Northern Region
515 East 5300 South
Ogden, UT 84405
801-476-2740
| Central Region
1115 North Main Street
Springville, UT 84663
801-491-5678
|
Northeastern Region
152 East 100 North
Vernal, UT 84078
435-781-9453
| Southeastern Region
319 North Carbonville Rd.
Suite A
Price, UT 84501
435-613-3700 | Southern Region
1470 North Airport Road
P.O. Box 606
Cedar City, UT 84720
435-865-6100
|
Haggard hen American
Kestrel with a freshly
caught frog.
Suggested References
This is just a small example of falconry resources that are available:
Falconry Related Books
Beebe, F.L. and H.M. Webster. 1964.
North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks.1
World Press Inc. Denver, Co.
Fourth Printing, 1976.
Mavrogordato, J.G. 1960.
A Hawk for the Bush.
Charles T. Branford Co.
Newton, Mass.
Mavrogordato, J.G. 1966.
A Falcon in the Field.
Knightly Vernon Ltd. London.
Michell, E.B. 1959.
The Art and Practice of Hawking.
Charles T. Branford Co. Boston, Mass.
Peters, Hans J. and E.W. Jameson, Jr., 1970.
American Hawking, A General Account of Falconry in the New World.
Privately published. Oakside, Davis California.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Falconry Proclamation.
Natural History Related Books
Austin, R.G. 1964.
World of the Red-Tailed Hawk.
Lippincott. Philadelphia, Pa.
Bent, A.C. 1961.
Life Histories of North American Birds of Prey.
Dover Publications
Inc. New York. 2 parts.
Brown, L. and D. Amadon. 1968.
Eagles, Hawks, and Falcons of the World.
McGraw Hill Book Co. New York. 2 Vol.
1 80% of the Utah Falconry Exam comes from this book!
Craighead, J.J. and F.C. Craighead Jr. 1956.
Hawks, Owls, and Wildlife.
Stackpole Co. Harrisburg, PA.
Grossman, Mary L. and J. Hamlet. 1964.
Birds of Prey of the World.
C.N. Potter Inc. New York.
Peterson, Roger T., 1941.
A Field Guide to Western Birds.
Houghton Mifflin C., Mass. 240 pp.
Robbins, C.S., B. Bruun and H.S. Zim. 1966.
Bird of North American.
Golden Press, New York.
My Contact Information:
Eddie Horvath
464 East 400 South
Price, UT 84501-3323
435-637-0215
Email me at: ehorvath@sisna.com Subject: Falconry Question
Updated June 2, 2010