Proposed change to Pennsylvania falconry permit; Game Commission to consider

Female peregrine falcon 09/BS waits for her young to be released outside the Rachel Carson State Office Building on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Banding falcons allows biologists and birders across the continent to track the birds and help us learn more about where they travel, how long they have lived, and whether they will establish new nests in other locations. The falcons born on the ledge of the Rachel Carson Building were tracked from Florida to Canada.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – The Pennsylvania Game Commission Board of Commissioners will meet later this month to consider a change to the state’s falconry permit.

According to the commissioner’s next meeting agenda in July, they will consider lowering the state’s minimum age for a general class falconry license from 18 to 16.

The agenda states that federal regulations set the minimum age of eligibility at 16, and while states cannot lower that threshold, they can raise it. The state has kept the minimum age at 18, but officials noted that there is no “significant biological or safety concern that would require maintaining the 18-year threshold.”

An apprentice falconer can obtain their licence at age 12 if they are sponsored by a holder of a general class or higher falconry licence with at least two years of experience. After holding their apprentice class licence for at least two years, under the new rule, individuals 16 or older can apply for a general class licence.

A person applying for a general category permit must also keep a bird of prey for at least 12 months.

Holders of a higher class felony license will still have to be at least 23 years old and meet other requirements already set.

The commissioner’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on July 12, with public comments expected to be accepted beginning at 11 a.m. Public comments are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, with registration beginning at 8 a.m.