Falconry RegulationsSection 670

Summary of Proposals and Request for Recommendations

Fish and Game CommissionOctober 3, 2012Agenda Item 2

Merlin. USFWS Photo.American kestrel. USFWS Photo.

Purpose of this Agenda Item

• Provide one more public opportunity prior to submitting a draft regulation (ISOR) to the Commission

• Ensure, to the level we can, that the proposal will be able to proceed without controversy

Why? Complications and link to the federal regulation process and timing

• Dedicated website and email account

• Two public meetings, two public conference calls, and two updates at Commission meetings

• Online survey to receive further input from the public

Outreach Efforts Since November 2010

Schedule moving forward

Communication with USFWS is ongoing throughout the timeline.

Falconry Regulation Process Time Period

Commission Approval for Notice November 7, 2012

OAL Publishes Notice End of November 2012

Commission Discussion Hearing February 6, 2013

Commission Adoption Hearing March 6, 2013

OAL Approves Regulation 30-45 days after submission

Submit Final Regulation Package to USFWS Immediately after OAL approval

USFWS Publishes in Federal RegisterRegulation Effective Date

January 1, 2014

Major Changes Proposed

Sharp-shinned hawk. USFWS Photo.

• Report changes in possession of falconry raptors to the FWS electronic reporting database and Department.

• Reporting will be required within 10 days of the event. Current reporting time varies between 5-14 days.

• Eliminate seasons and provide for year-round harvest of raptors. Current regulation mandates specific seasons for harvest.

• Apprentice falconer minimum age decreased from 14 to 12 yrs.

• General falconer age limit decreased from 18 to 16 yrs.

• General and Master falconers may possess any captive-bred or hybrid raptor.

• Cannot possess listed species. Special authorization for eagles.

Major Changes Proposed

Red-tailed hawk. USFWS Photo.

• General falconers can possess 3 raptors total (increased from 2), of which only 2 can be wild caught.

• Master falconers can possess 5 wild caught raptors (increased from 3), and any number of captive-bred or hybrid raptors.

• Ferruginous hawk removed from species for wild harvest.

• Two species added for wild harvest: red-shouldered hawk and barred owl.

• Lake Tahoe Basin opened for quota to harvest 1 Northern goshawk per year.

Major Changes Proposed

Ferruginous hawk. USFWS Photo.

• Establish quota to harvest 14 prairie falcons per year.

• Limit take of merlin from the wild to the non-breeding season.

• Falconers may obtain non-releaseable raptors from rehabilitation facilities.

• Falconers may temporarily possess raptors from rehabilitation facilities to assist in conditioning raptors for release back into the wild.

• Education, exhibiting, propagation, and abatement uses of falconry raptors allowed under certain conditions.

Major Changes Proposed

Northern goshawk. USFWS Photo.

• Hacking allowable to condition raptors for release into the wild and for conditioning young raptors to hunt.

• Annual hunting report required at time of license renewal

• Housing facility inspections conducted by Department Law Enforcement Officers.

Major Changes Proposed

• New fee structure associated with implementation will be developed as a Department regulation.

EndThanks

Questions/CommentsContact:

Carie Battistonecbattistone@dfg.ca.gov

For more information visit http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/falconry