Falconry License and Legal Requirements by Country: Verified Guide for Hunters and Falconers Worldwide

Falconry License and Legal Requirements by Country: Verified Guide for Hunters and Falconers Worldwide Falconry is legally practiced in over 90 countries, but licensing, training, and bird registration requirements vary widely. This comprehensive guide outlines the verified legal frameworks in major falconry nations—including Saudi Arabia, Russia, and the broader MENA region—based on 2025 regulations. All data is sourced from official wildlife agencies, falconry clubs, and international conservation bodies. --- 🇺🇸 United States • Licensed falconers: ~4,000 • Regulators: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service + state wildlife agencies • License tiers:• Apprentice: 2 years, 1 bird (Red-tailed Hawk or American Kestrel) • General: 2+ years, up to 2 birds • Master: 5+ years, up to 3 birds • Requirements:• Pass 100-question exam (≥80%) • Build approved mews • Obtain federal and state permits • Birds must be banded and registered • Wild take: Permitted under quotas • CITES: Required for international travel --- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom • Active falconers: ~3,500 • Regulators: DEFRA, Natural England • Requirements:• No formal falconry license • Schedule 4 birds (e.g., Peregrine, Goshawk) must be registered • Hunting allowed under General Licenses during open seasons • CITES required for import/export --- 🇩🇪 Germany • Certified falconers: ~2,000 • Requirements:• Must hold Jagdschein (hunting license) • Pass Falknerprüfung (falconry exam) • Register birds with wildlife authorities • Falconry is considered regulated hunting --- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia • Falconers: ~6,000–8,000 registered • Regulators: Saudi Falcons Club, Ministry of Environment • Requirements:• Birds must be microchipped and registered • Falconry permit required for hunting • Hunting allowed in designated areas and seasons • CITES mandatory for cross-border movement • Falconry is a national symbol, deeply rooted in Arab heritage • Annual Saudi Falcons and Hunting Expo held in Riyadh --- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates • Falconers: ~10,000 • Regulator: Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) • Requirements:• Birds must be registered and microchipped • Falconry permit required • Hunting season (2025): Oct 20 – Jan 20 • Extended season (2025–2026): Oct 20 – Feb 5 • Only captive-bred Houbara bustards may be hunted • Falconry is protected under Law No. 22 of 2005 --- 🇷🇺 Russia • Falconers: ~500–700 (estimated) • Regulators: Regional hunting departments • Requirements:• Must hold a general hunting license • Birds of prey must be registered • No formal falconry exam, but mentorship is common • Falconry is practiced traditionally in regions like Altai, Caucasus, and Siberia • Golden Eagles (Berkut) used in ethnic falconry --- 🌍 Other Countries with Legal Falconry (Smaller Communities) • France: ~400 falconers; requires hunting license and falconry training • Spain: ~300; regional regulation, active in Andalusia • Italy: ~250; strict welfare standards • Poland: ~200; dual exams required • Czech Republic: ~150; permits mandatory • Hungary: ~100; traditional falconry preserved • South Africa: ~200; used for pest control • Canada: ~300; regulated provincially • Australia: ~100; legal in select states • Japan: ~150; cultural permits required • Mongolia: ~400; traditional eagle hunting, no formal licensing --- 🧾 Common Legal Requirements Across Countries • Bird registration: Microchip, banding, or national database • Permit systems: For ownership, hunting, and transport • Training: Exams, apprenticeships, or mentorship • Facility standards: Approved mews and veterinary care • CITES compliance: Mandatory for international movement --- 📊 Falconry by the Numbers (2025) • Global falconer population: ~25,000 • Countries with legal falconry: 90+ • Most common species: Peregrine Falcon, Harris’s Hawk, Goshawk, Red-tailed Hawk • Startup cost: $2,000–$5,000 (permits, bird, equipment) In Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, falconry is not only a sport but a regulated cultural institution. Falconers must obtain official bird passports issued by the Saudi Falcons Club, which include microchip data, species classification, and ownership history. These passports are mandatory for participation in competitions, cross-border travel, and veterinary services. The government also enforces strict quotas on wild falcon capture, with designated seasons and permits issued only to registered falconers. Captive breeding programs are promoted to reduce pressure on wild populations, especially for prized species like the Saker Falcon. In Russia, while falconry is legal, it remains a niche practice with limited infrastructure. Most falconers operate under general hunting licenses, and there is no standardized falconry certification. However, regional clubs—such as the Russian Falconry Association—offer informal training and mentorship. Birds must be registered with local wildlife authorities, and transport across regions requires documentation. Falconry is most active in the Altai Republic, Dagestan, and parts of Siberia, where traditional eagle hunting is still practiced among indigenous communities. Despite the absence of a national framework, Russia’s falconers are increasingly advocating for clearer legal recognition and conservation support. --- ✅ Final Thoughts Falconry remains a legally protected and culturally significant practice across continents. Whether you’re hunting in the deserts of Arabia, the forests of Europe, or the steppes of Central Asia, compliance with licensing and conservation laws is essential. Each country has its own framework, but all share a commitment to ethical bird care, wildlife protection, and the preservation of this ancient art. Falconry licensing in 2025 requires bird registration, permits for hunting, and compliance with CITES for international travel. Countries like the U.S., UAE, Germany, and Saudi Arabia enforce structured training and documentation.