Rhode Island Code of Regulations › Title 250 - Department of Environmental Management › Chapter 60 - Fish and Wildlife › Subchapter 00 - N/A › Part 7 - RI Falconry Regulations for the Season › Section 250-RICR-60-00-7.11 - Regulations

Current through June 14, 2024
A. Any person who wishes to engage in
				  falconry in Rhode Island shall possess a valid Falconer's license (or
				  equivalent) and/or permit issued by the Director of the Department of
				  Environmental Management or his or her designee, the duly authorized agent of
				  another State with a Federally recognized falconry program, or the Federal
				  Government.
B. All Falconers must
				  also comply with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918,
				  16 U.S.C. §§
											703 -
				  712, as amended.
C. Additional State/Federal regulations,
				  separate and apart from these, may apply for other purposes involving raptors
				  including, but not limited to, importation, propagation, commercial abatement,
				  environmental education, and for State/Federally permitted/certified
				  Rehabilitators, Zoos, and Research Facilities.
D. The general public rarely has the
				  opportunity to see raptors in close proximity, if at all. Falconers can serve a
				  role in educating the public about raptor biology, ecological roles, and
				  conservation needs of raptors as well as other migratory birds. Therefore, the
				  conservation education use of raptors primarily kept for falconry purposes is
				  warranted.
E. A falconer who
				  possesses raptors before the enactment of these regulations in excess of the
				  number allowed under his or her license class/permit shall be allowed to retain
				  the extra raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers issued by
				  the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Department and no replacement
				  can occur, nor may an additional raptor be obtained, until the number in
				  possession is at least one (1) less than the total number authorized by the
				  class of permit held by the licensee.
7.11.1
General
A. With a valid
				  Falconry License the licensee may "take" (with a Special Purpose permit),
				  "possess" and transport raptors for purposes which he or she is licensed and
				  permitted, such as for hunting or training, when obtaining veterinary care for
				  the raptor, when transferring the raptor to another qualifying recipient, when
				  transporting the raptor(s) to or from field meets, to or from environmental
				  education programs, or transporting them to the mews or weathering facility
				  after being taken from the wild.
B.
				  In addition to a valid Falconry License, a Department issued "Special Purpose
				  Permit to Capture" is required before a licensed Falconer, resident or
				  nonresident, attempts to "take" a falcon in Rhode Island.
C. When flying the raptor afield during an
				  established hunting season, a valid Rhode Island hunting license (resident or
				  non-resident as appropriate) and any season/quarry specific tag(s)/permit(s) is
				  required.
D. Falconers must have in
				  their possession all required licenses and permits or copies thereof when
				  engaged in falconry activities.
E.
				  A person who holds a valid falconer's license/permit may fly his or her
				  raptor(s) over private lands in Rhode Island outside established hunting
				  seasons without need for additional permits, if the flight is for training, or
				  is part of an established field meet or a conservation education
				  program.
F. Imported raptors are
				  subject to the Department's Rules and Regulations Governing the Importation and
				  Possession of Wild Animals (Part 40-05-3 of this Title).
G. Licenses/permits issued by other States,
				  Tribes, or Territories to non-resident falconers who become residents of the
				  State of Rhode Island, will only be valid in Rhode Island for a period of sixty
				  (60) days following the date the license/permittee becomes domiciled
				  here.
H. A new resident of Rhode
				  Island may immediately apply for a Rhode Island Falconer's license for the
				  class of license he or she previously held, but before the license will be
				  issued the applicant must first demonstrate that he or she is in compliance
				  with the Rules and Regulations applicable to RI resident Falconers.
I. Costs for the care, treatment and
				  rehabilitation of a wild raptor injured during an attempted "take" by a
				  falconer, or due to the seizure of the raptor by the Director, shall be the
				  responsibility of the falconer.
J.
				  All documentation required shall be submitted on forms, and in a manner and
				  format specified by the Director.
K. All Apprentice Falconers must complete the
				  Apprenticeship Training Program before applying for a General Falconer's class
				  of license.