Sec.26-67e-6. Classes of permits

(a) There shall be four classes of falconry permits: Apprentice, general, and master; and non-resident.

(b) Apprentice class.

(1) The commissioner may issue an apprentice class permit to any resident who meets the requirements specified in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies if the applicant:

(A) is at least 14 years old;

(B) has written approval of a parent or legal guardian, if less than 18 years of age;

(C) has a sponsor who meets the requirements of section 26-67e-7 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(D) provides the commissioner with a letter from the sponsor stating that assistance will be provided to the applicant for learning about the husbandry and training of a raptor held for falconry and about relevant wildlife laws and regulations;

(E) certifies on a form prescribed by the commissioner, that the applicant has read and is familiar with the regulations in 50 CFR 13 and other applicable definitions in 50 CFR 10, Subpart B; and,

(F) certifies that the information provided in the application is complete and accurate;

(2) an apprentice falconer may possess no more than one raptor at any time;

(3) an apprentice falconer shall only possess the species of red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis);

(4) an apprentice falconer may not possess a raptor that is imprinted, taken from the wild as a nestling or taken from the wild in adult plumage;

(5) an apprentice falconer shall not obtain more than two wild red-tailed hawks during any twelve-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30;

(6) an apprentice falconer shall maintain a written log describing the instruction provided by their sponsor, and make such log available for inspection by the commissioner or the commissioner’s duly designated agents. Instruction shall include care and handling of a raptor, live-trapping techniques, teaching a raptor to hunt, and all applicable laws and regulations governing falconry; and,

(7) an apprentice falconer shall not fly or hunt a red-tailed hawk without the presence of the sponsor until the sponsor provides written notification to the apprentice stating that the apprentice is competent to handle the bird without direct supervision. Such written notification shall be carried while in the field with a bird.

(c) General class.

(1) The commissioner may issue a general class permit to any resident who meets the requirements in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies if the applicant:

(A) is at least 16 years old;

(B) has written approval of a parent or legal guardian, if less than 18 years of age;

(C) submits a summary of each species held and how long each bird was held;

(D) submits proof of a minimum of two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice class level;

(E) has practiced falconry with the applicant’s own raptor for at least two hunting seasons that total at least four months each; and,

(F) submits written certification from the applicant's sponsor verifying that the applicant practiced falconry at the apprentice falconer level for at least two years including maintaining, training, flying and hunting a raptor at least four months in each year;

(2) a general falconer may possess up to three raptors at any time;

(3) a general falconer may possess raptors from any category specified under section 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(4) a general falconer shall not obtain more than two wild raptors during any twelve-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30; and,

(5) notwithstanding section 26-67e-6(c)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a general falconer may possess the raptors of another custodial falconer for purposes of providing temporary care for such raptors pursuant to section 26-67e-12 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(d) Master class.

(1) The commissioner may issue a master class permit to any resident who meets the requirements in section 26-67e-3(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies if the applicant:

(A) submits proof of having at least five years experience in the practice of falconry at the general class level;

(B) has practiced falconry with the applicant’s own raptor for at least five hunting seasons that total at least four months each season; and,

(C) submits written recommendations from three master falconers stating that the applicant meets the qualifications of a master class falconer;

(2) a master falconer may possess up to five raptors at any time;

(3) a master falconer may possess raptors from any category specified in section 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies;

(4) a master falconer shall not obtain more than two wild raptors during any twelve-month period beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30; and,

(5) notwithstanding section 26-67e-6(d)(2) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, a master falconer may possess the raptors of another custodial falconer for purposes of providing temporary care to such raptors pursuant to section 26-67e-12 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(e) Non-resident class.

(1) The commissioner may issue a non-resident class permit to any non-resident who meets the requirements of section 26-67e-3(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(2) A non-resident falconer shall only possess, while in Connecticut, the raptor species specified in section 26-67e-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies and which are identified on the falconry license or permit issued by the jurisdiction of the United States in which the non-resident falconer is a resident.

(Adopted effective March 1, 2004; Amended December 9, 2013)