Falconry Class Upgrade

State and federal requirements to upgrade from a Junior Apprentice Class Falconry Permit to an Apprentice Class Falconry Permit.

1. Junior Apprentice class falconers automatically advance to Apprentice class falconers upon the falconer’s 16th birthday. 

 
State and federal requirements to upgrade from an Apprentice Class Falconry Permit to a General Class Falconry Permit.

1. Federal regulations require that falconry be practiced for at least 2 years as an Apprentice falconer, which means the earliest an upgrade can occur is 2 years from the date of the initial Apprentice permit (assuming falconry was practiced throughout this period).
2. During each year of the 2 year period, state regulations require that Apprentices complete a 6 month “season of experience” in two separate falconry seasons (falconry seasons run from May 1 to April 30).
3. To fulfill the state and federal hunting requirements, at least 4 of those 6 months in #2 must be between September 1 to February 28/29 for each year.
4. A “month” is counted from the first day of the month to the last day of the month, a half month is counted from the 1st to the 15th or from the 16th to the end of the month.  Periods of less than a half month are not counted.
5. The two seasons described above may be earned as a Junior Apprentice, as an Apprentice, or a combination of the two.
6. A qualified sponsor must approve the request for upgrade and certify that all state and federal requirements have been met.
7. The falconer must be at least 18 years old to upgrade.

 
State and federal requirements to upgrade from a General Class Falconry Permit to a Master Class Falconry permit.

1. Federal regulations require that falconry be practiced for at least 5 years as a General falconer so the earliest an upgrade could occur is 5 years from the date of initial General class falconry permit (assuming falconry was practiced throughout this period).
2. During each year of the 5 year period, state regulations require that Generals complete a 6 month “season of experience” in five separate falconry seasons (falconry seasons run from May 1 to April 30).
3. To fulfill the state and federal hunting requirements, at least 4 of those 6 months in #2 must be during a hunting season.
4. A “month” is counted from the first day of the month to the last day of the month, a half month is counted from the 1st to the 15th or from the 16th to the end of the month.  Periods of less than a half month are not considered.