Steps to Becoming a Falconer in Arizona

1. Go to the library and check out several books on falconry. (See list in FAQ's.) If these are not available at your library, look into the Interlibrary Loan Service that most libraries offer. There are also two study guides available, one from California, and one from New York. Both will help you take the exam in any state. Read each book through at least once, then study the most relevant areas heavily. You will also need to study Arizona Game & Fish Falconry Regulations, as there will be relevant questions on the exam.

2. Go to your local Arizona Game & Fish office (see list in FAQ's) and ask for the information and application for getting a falconry permit.

3. Start preparing you falconry equipment and your mews (hawkhouse). You should have all the legal requirements ready for inspection when you take the exam, so as to expedite the application process after (gleefully) passing your exam! Read Arizona Game & Fish Falconry Regulations thoroughly for equipment requirements.

4. Take the falconry exam at the regional office (see list in FAQ's). Use this quiz to test your knowledge. You must get an 80% or better to pass. You can take the exam without naming a sponsor, but he/she will actually need to sign your state permit application.

5. Once you've passed the exam, you may get your state falconry permit, which is good for up to 3 years. You must then send immediately to U.S. Fish & Wildlife in Albuquerque to get your federal falconry permit. Be prepared to wait up to 60 days to get your federal permit. Don't wait until the last minute to send in your application.

6. As soon as you have a state hunting license, a state falconry permit, and a federal falconry permit in hand, then you are ready to go trapping. If your sponsor is unable to go trapping with you, find an experienced falconer who will go with you on your first trapping expedition.