South Carolina falconry license

First-year fees

$100 falconry permit

Expires three years from the date of issuance

Statutory fee under S.C. Code § 50-9-675; holders of valid federal falconry permits are exempted from duplication by statute. A state hunting license and applicable stamps are also required.

Exam & minimum age

Exam: 80% to pass. SCDNR-administered exam (≥80%) covering falconry, regulations, housing and care of raptors and diseases; given at any SCDNR office by appointment, retake allowed after 7 days. Facilities and equipment are inspected before the permit application is issued.

Minimum age: 12 — Apprentice applicants must be at least 12; under 18 needs a parent/guardian signature (SCDNR regulations 123-170).

Classes: Apprentice → General → Master

Birds by class & trapping

Apprentice (12+): one raptor with a broad species allowance — any Falconiform/Strigiform (wild, captive-bred or hybrid) except federally listed species and bald/white-tailed/Steller's/golden eagles; sponsor required for at least two years. General (16+, 2 apprentice years): up to 3 raptors. Master (5 general years): up to 5 wild raptors plus any number of captive-bred; eagles only with qualifications met.

General/Master may take passage raptors (under 1 year) August 1 – January 31, plus American kestrels and great horned owls of any age in that window; max 2 wild raptors per year. Trapping methods are limited to listed humane devices (bal-chatri, etc.).

Notes from the official sources

Regulation of record is SCDNR Regulation 123-170; statute of record § 50-9-675. Goshawks, Harris's hawks, peregrines and gyrfalcons must carry permanent nonreusable USFWS bands.