Thank you for your interest in the LDWF Falconry Program.

It is of utmost importance to gain the proper knowledge and experience relative to raptor husbandry & hunting techniques prior to applying for a falconry permit.  If you have not done so already I recommend  you participate in several hunts or training sessions with a potential sponsor to make certain you are comfortable with the sport of Falconry and understand raptor behavior.  Once you have hunted and worked with your potential sponsor’s birds and studied falconry reference materials and regulations, you should consult with your sponsor then contact me to schedule the required online application and in-person exam.  You are required to pass the exam with an 80% or greater and may take the exam up to three times per calendar year.  You may retake the falconry exam within 30 days following a failed attempt.

Before a permit is issued you will be required to build a mew and weathering area specific for any raptors you wish to hold under a falconry permit.  To avoid spending extra time and money on a facility that may not pass inspection, you should discuss your design with your sponsor and or LDWF prior to embarking on construction of the mew(s) and weathering area.

Please be aware, no individual shall be in possession of wildlife for the purpose of a pet or the pet trade/industry. Falconry birds are permitted for the act of recreational hunting.  Falconers must abide by all USFWS and LDWF regulations.  Falconry birds and facilities are subject to unannounced inspections at any time.  Migratory birds are afforded additional protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.  Possession of Migratory Birds without a special permit is NOT authorized and will lead to citations and confiscation by our Enforcement Division. 

If you connect with a potential sponsor, pass the falconry exam with an 80% or greater, and pass a mew and weathering area inspection you would then be approved for an annual Falconry permit at the Apprentice Level. You must be in possession of the printed Falconry license prior to trapping/possessing a raptor for falconry or participating in falconry activities.

*If your raptor facilities will located on property that you do not own, you must submit a signed and dated statement showing that the property owner agrees that the falconry facilities and raptors may be inspected by LDWF at any reaonable time of day in the presence of the property owner; except that the authorities or employee of LDWF may not enter the facilities or disturb the raptors unless you are present.

Annual Falconry Permit fee is $50

The required Mew and Weathering Area inspection fee is a one time $100 fee.

If you have any questions please contact the wildlife permits office at wildlifepermits@wlf.la.gov or by phone 225-765-2975 Monday through Thursday from 8:00AM to 4:30 PM. Please leave a voicemail after hours and we will return calls in the order received.

Thanks

LDWF Wildlife Permits Program

Your sponsor must complete and submit the Falconry Sponsorship Agreement: Sponsor Signature form. The form is available on the LDWF website and at the URL listed below. 

https://wlflouisiana.jotform.com/team/permits/falconry-agreement-sponsor

 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commercial License Disclosure

If applying for a resident license/permit for an individual:
I qualify for resident licensing rates having complied with all of the residency certification requirements as I hereby attest to the accuracy of the following statements:
1) I have resided in Louisiana continuously for at least the past twelve months
2) I am registered to vote in Louisiana, or I am not registered to vote anywhere
3) I am in possession of a valid Louisiana driver’s license, or I am not licensed to drive anywhere
4) I am in possession of Louisiana registration for all vehicles I own within Louisiana, or I do not own any motor vehicles within Louisiana
5) I have filed a Louisiana state income tax return and complied with state income tax laws and regulations, or I did not earn an income.

If applying for a resident license for a business:
I certify that the corporation or other legal entity for which I am obtaining a license/permit is qualified for resident rates as it is incorporated or otherwise organized under
and subject to the laws of Louisiana, and is domiciled in Louisiana and has a permanent physical location of business in Louisiana where records are held in compliance
with R.S. 56:306.4.
I understand that:
− If the proof shows that a license/permit has been obtained by fraud or subterfuge, the vessels and equipment used under this license/permit shall be forfeited.
− The privileges granted by the license/permit are subject to change, termination, or modification before its expiration date, which may occur as a result of
legislative action, changes in Commission or Department rules, regulations, or license/permit conditions.
− It is my responsibility to obey all applicable laws and license/permit conditions and to apprise myself of any change to laws, regulations, or license/permit
conditions.
− This license may be modified, canceled, or revoked prior to its expiration as a result of changes in, or violations of laws, regulations, or the terms and
conditions of the license/permit itself.
− It is my responsibility to verify the accuracy of the license/permit issued from this application and immediately notify the Commercial License Section of the
Department of Wildlife & Fisheries of any errors contained therein.
− This application may take up to four weeks for processing if applied for by mail and that I am not legal to begin operation without the required original
license/permits(s) in my possession.
− I must be present when my “nontransferable” license/permit is in use and I am responsible for having all other required license/permits(s), including the
appropriate gear license(s) and vessel license(s) as applicable, except when a nontransferable license/permit is issued in a business name, any employee of that
company may operate under authority of the license at the location for which the license/permit was issued.
By signature below, applicant attests to the accuracy of the information contained in this application, including residency certification and acknowledgement of
responsibility for an understanding of the conditions and requirements on this application. I certify that the information provided herein is true and correct and I
authorize the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to contact the Department of Revenue for Income Tax verification purposes as it relates to the 12 month
residency requirement set forth in LA R.S. 56:8(16)(a). I further understand that providing any false information subjects me to criminal violations.