Kansas falconry license
Checked 2026-11-04 against official sources — see the links at the bottom. General guidance only; always confirm with the state agency before you apply.
First-year fees
Ask the agency — KDWP does not publish the falconry permit fee on its falconry pages; confirm with KDWP Licensing before applying
Kansas resident falconers do not need a state trapping permit for general trapping; resident peregrine capture requires the Falconry Trapping Authorization application. Nonresident falconers must obtain the trapping authorization.
Exam & minimum age
Exam: 80% to pass. Apprentice applicants must score ≥80% on the department exam (raptor care, laws, diseases and related topics); failed candidates may reapply after 90 days. Lapsed (5+ years) or revoked permits require re-examination.
Minimum age: 12 — Apprentice applicants must be at least 12; under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian to sign (K.A.R. 115-14-12(j)(1)).
Classes: Apprentice → General → Master
Birds by class & trapping
Apprentice: one wild-caught raptor — American kestrel, red-tailed hawk or red-shouldered hawk only; no eyasses or imprints. General (16+, 2 apprentice years): up to 3 raptors, any Falconiform/Accipitriform/Strigiform except golden, bald, white-tailed and Steller's sea eagles. Master: up to 5 wild plus any number of captive-bred; up to 3 eagles with experience documentation and two reference letters.
Wild capture follows K.A.R. 115-14-14. Permits run from issuance through Dec 31 of the third calendar year and renew without re-examination if renewed before expiry.
Notes from the official sources
Regulation of record is K.A.R. 115-14-12 (falconry permits) with facility standards in K.A.R. 115-14-13; KDWP publishes a falconry FAQ. Kansas non-resident falconers must register with the state before trapping.
Official sources for this page
- https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/kansas/K-A-R-115-14-12
- https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/licenses-permits-fees/special-licenses-permits
Regulations change. Verify every figure against these sources and the agency's current rules before you rely on it.
Getting geared up in Kansas?
Most states' equipment inspection lists overlap heavily — Aylmeri jesses, a weathering-resistant leash and swivel, a bath pan, a weathering perch and a graduated scale. Build a list matched to your class and climate with the equipment checklist builder, or print the start-up equipment checklist for your mews inspection visit. Comparing neighboring states? Back to the full state matrix.