Arkansas falconry license

First-year fees

Ask the agency — AGFC's published license fee tables do not list the falconry permit; apply via the AGFC Falconry Permit Application

The application is handled through AGFC's permit pages (Falconry Permit Application). Confirm the current permit cost with AGFC before applying.

Exam & minimum age

Exam: 80% to pass. Written AGFC falconry exam (≥80%); lapsed permits (5+ years) require re-examination plus a facilities inspection. A hunting license and AGFC facility/equipment inspection are also required before the permit.

Minimum age: 14 — Stricter than the federal floor: apprentice applicants must be at least 14; under 18 needs a parent/guardian signature (AGFC Code F1.07(B)(1)(b)(i)).

Classes: Apprentice → General → Master

Birds by class & trapping

Apprentice (14+): one wild-caught raptor — red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, red-shouldered hawk, great horned owl or Harris's hawk; must capture the bird themselves; no nestlings, no imprints. General (16+, 2 apprentice years): up to 3 raptors, any Falconiform/Strigiform except golden/bald/white-tailed/Steller's eagles. Master (5 general years): up to 5 wild raptors plus any number of captive-bred; eagles only with an Arkansas Falconry Eagle Permit (up to 3, experience letters + two references).

Max 2 wild raptors per 365-day period. Passage take June 15 – March 1; eyasses January 1 – August 1 (General/Master). Passage peregrines September 20 – October 20 by permit. Goshawks, Harris's hawks, peregrines and gyrfalcons must carry permanent non-reusable USFWS bands or ISO microchips; take reports are due within 5 days.

Notes from the official sources

Regulation of record is AGFC Code Book F1.07 (002.01.22 Ark. Code R. 107). Nonresidents with a nonresident small-game license may take 1 raptor/year under reciprocity. Falconers living >120 consecutive days in another state must meet Arkansas facility standards there.