New Jersey falconry license

First-year fees

Ask the agency — N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.16 prints no permit fee amount; confirm the current fee with the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife when applying

Permits expire June 30 of the third calendar year after issue (three-year cycle); a New Jersey hunting license is required to hunt.

Exam & minimum age

Exam: 80% to pass. At least 80% on a supervised exam provided or approved by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, covering raptor biology, care and handling, literature and regulations.

Minimum age: 14 — Apprentice permittees must be at least 14; General at least 18 with two apprentice years, 12 months with a raptor in hand and two seasons of field flying (N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.16(a)2).

Classes: Apprentice → General → Master

Birds by class & trapping

Apprentice (14+): one raptor, red-tailed hawk only, max one replacement per 12 months. General (18+): two raptors, a third allowed after demonstrating time, equipment and facilities to the Division. Master (5 general years, raptor held ≥36 months): three raptors, up to five with Division approval. Golden eagles barred (Master may seek written authorization); listed species barred except captive-bred or lawfully acquired out-of-state birds; at most one threatened raptor within the 3-bird limit with written permission.

Eyasses (General/Master only) April 1 – July 15, max two per permittee, never the last eyas in a nest, with nest-tree flashing required until fledging. Passage birds Sept 1 – Dec 31. Adults limited to American kestrels and great horned owls in the same window. Passage peregrines need a Special Peregrine Falcon Permit (apply Jan 1 – Jul 31, resident-first random drawing), taken Sept 20 – Oct 20, one bird, banded birds released. Apprentices must attempt their first capture accompanied by a general or master falconer.

Notes from the official sources

Regulation of record: N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.16. Form 3-186A copies are due to the Division within 10 days of any transaction. Nonresidents may attend meets on a home-state permit plus NJ hunting license; new residents get 30 days for facilities and 60 days to apply. Sunday hunting with raptors is allowed for listed upland species but barred for waterfowl; firearms possession while falconry is illegal.