Washington Administrative Code › Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of › WILDLIFE › Chapter 220-420 - Falconry › Section 220-420-050 - Master falconer classes of permit

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) An applicant for a master falconry permit
				must attest and/or provide evidence of having practiced falconry with his/her
				own raptor(s) at the general falconer level for at least five years, or provide
				proof of previously holding a valid master falconry permit.
(2) A master falconer may not intentionally
				capture a raptor species that this permit classification does not allow the
				falconer to possess for falconry. Any raptor captured, that a master falconer
				is not permitted to take, must be released immediately.
(3) A master falconer, may take raptors less
				than one year of age from the wild during any period. However, an American
				kestrel or great horned owl of any age may be taken from the wild during any
				time of the year.
(4) Regardless of
				the number of state, tribal, or territorial falconry permits a master falconer
				may have, he/she may possess no more than five wild taken raptors for use in
				falconry, including golden eagles (
Aquila chrysaetos
). A
				master falconer may possess any number of captive-bred raptors; however, the
				master falconer must train them in the pursuit of wild game and use them in
				hunting.
(5) A master falconer may
				take the following species of raptors from the wild in Washington: Red-tailed
				hawk (
Buteo jamaicensis
), kestrel (
Falco
				sparverius
), merlin (
Falco columbarius
), prairie
				falcon (
Falco mexicanus
), peregrine falcon (
Falco
				peregrinus
), gyrfalcon (
Falco rusticolus
),
				sharp-shinned hawk (
Accipiter striatus
), Cooper's hawk
				(
Accipiter cooperii
), goshawk (
Accipiter
				gentilis
), great horned owl (
Bubo virginianus
), and
				barred owl (
Strix varia
).
(6) A nestling, or fledgling peregrine falcon
				may be taken by a master falconer who possesses, at the time of capture, a
				permit from the department authorizing the capture. The number and age class of
				peregrine falcons to be captured in Washington will be determined by the
				director in accordance with federal regulations or implementation guidance may
				vary annually in response to population and productivity data, and as a
				participant in actions of the Pacific Flyway Council. The director will
				establish permit issuance procedures, requirements for monitoring capture, and
				open areas for the capture of peregrine falcons.
(7) A master falconer may possess any species
				of Falconiform or Strigiform except a bald eagle (
Haliaeetus
				leucocephalus
). A master falconer may possess any captive-bred
				individual, or hybrids of any species.
(8) A master falconer who meets the
				requirements in this section may possess up to three wild taken eagles of the
				following species for use in falconry: Golden eagle (
Aquila
				chrysaetos
), white-tailed eagle (
Haliaeetus
				albicilla
), or Steller's sea-eagle (
Haliaeetus
				pelagicus
).
(9) The
				department must have the following documented before approving a request from a
				master falconer to possess an eagle to use in falconry:
(a) Experience in handling large raptors,
				such as eagles, ferruginous hawks (
Buteo regalis
), goshawks
				(
Accipiter gentilis
), great horned owls (
Bubo
				virginianus
), red-tailed hawks (
Buteo jamaicensis
),
				or others. Include information about which species have been handled, the type,
				and duration of the activity in which experience was gained.
(b) At least two letters of reference from
				people with experience handling and/or flying large raptors. Each must contain
				a concise history of the author's experience with large raptors, which can
				include, but is not limited to, falconry, propagation, abatement, handling of
				raptors held by zoos, rehabilitating large raptors, or scientific studies
				involving large raptors. Each letter must also assess the master falconer's
				capability to care for eagles and fly them in falconry.