Delaware falconry license

First-year fees

No fee — the Delaware falconry regulation (7 Del. Admin. Code 3900-14.0) contains no permit fee provision, and DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife issues falconry permits without a published charge (confirm with the Division).

A Delaware hunting license is still required to hunt with your bird (3900-14.4.1).

Exam & minimum age

Exam: 80% to pass. Residents pass a written test and a facility/equipment inspection by Division staff or an appointed Master Falconer before the permit issues (3900-14.2.1); Delaware incorporates the federal regulations, including the 80% exam standard.

Minimum age: 12 — Delaware adopts the federal falconry framework (50 CFR 21.29/21.30) and 7 Del. Admin. Code 3900-14.0 prints no stricter state age floor — the federal minimum of 12 applies.

Classes: Apprentice → General → Master

Birds by class & trapping

Apprentices may only possess wild-caught red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks and wild-captured American kestrels legally obtained from another state; captive-reared birds and hybrids are barred (3900-14.3.5).

Statewide wild take is capped at 12 raptors a year (3900-14.3.2), one bird per capture permit. Eyas take is limited to red-tailed hawks and great horned owls on Thursdays–Saturdays Feb 1 – Jul 15, max three per year combined. Passage season runs Aug 15 – Mar 31; adult-plumage birds must be released at the capture site. Private-land and public-land permissions apply.

Notes from the official sources

Nonresident-friendly: no additional Delaware permit is required to practice falconry in-state with a valid home-state permit (3900-14.2.3), and new residents get a 60-day recognition window. Permits run up to three years in step with the hunting license.