50 C.F.R. § 22.24 Permits for falconry purposes.
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue a permit authorizing the possession and transportation of golden eagles for falconry purposes. (a) Application procedures. Submit applications for permits to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) A copy of the applicant's master (or equivalent) class permit issued in accordance with 50 CFR 21.28. (2) A statement of the applicant's experience in handling large raptors, including the species, type of experience and duration of the activity in which the experience was acquired. (3) At least two (2) letters of reference from individuals with recognized experience in handling and/or flying eagles. Each letter must contain a concise history of the author's experience with eagles. Eagle handling experience is defined as, but is not limited to, the handling of pre-Act birds, zoological specimens, rehabilitating eagles, or scientific studies involving eagles. Each letter must also assess the applicant's capability to properly care for the fly golden eagles in falconry, and recommend the issuance or denial of the permit. (4) A description of the facilities in which golden eagles will be housed. (5) If requesting an eagle(s) from the Service, applicants must specify the sex, age and condition of the eagle(s) they will accept. (6) For eagles already legally possessed, a copy of the permit or other documentation authorizing possession of said birds, and the procedures to be used to minimize or eliminate hazards associated with the use of imprinted birds in falconry. (7) Name, address, age and experience in handling raptors of any person the applicant proposes to act as an authorized agent in taking possession of golden eagles provided by the Service. (8) To obtain additional or replacement golden eagles, a request in writing to the appropriate special agent in charge must be tendered, identifying the existing permit and, for replacement eagles, the reason for such replacement. (b) Permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, permits to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes are subject to the following conditions: (1) Golden eagles possessed for falconry purposes are considered as raptors and must be maintained in accordance with Federal falconry standards described in §§21.28 and 21.29 of this subchapter. (2) Only golden eagles legally obtained may be possessed and transported for falconry purposes. (3) Captive breeding of golden eagles possessed for falconry purposes is prohibited. (4) The applicant, or authorized agent, must agree to take possession of a requested golden eagle(s) within 72 hours of notification of availability. Expenses incurred by the applicant in taking possession of said eagle(s) will be the applicant's responsibility. (5) The golden eagle(s) must be banded with a numbered eagle marker provided by the Service. (6) All permits issued pursuant to this section shall state on their face that eagles possessed for falconry purposes under authority of this permit may not be transferred or otherwise intentionally disposed of by any means, including release to the wild, without written approval from the appropriate regional director. (7) All permits issued pursuant to this section shall state on their face that the appropriate special agent in charge must be notified no later than ten (10) days after the death of a permit holder. (c) More restrictive State laws. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a State from making and/or enforcing more restrictive laws and regulations as regards the use of golden eagles in falconry. (d) Issuance criteria. The Director shall conduct an investigation and shall not issue a permit to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes unless he has determined: that such possession and transportation is compatible with the preservation of golden eagles; that the proposed possession and transportation of golden eagles for falconry is not otherwise prohibited by laws and regulations within the State where the activity is proposed; and that the applicant is qualified to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes. In making the latter determination, the Director shall consider, but shall not necessarily be limited to, the following: (1) The applicant's cumulative falconry experience. (2) The applicant's demonstrated ability to handle and care for large raptors. (3) Information contained in the applicant's letters of reference. (e) Tenure of permits. Any permit to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes is valid for as long as the holder maintains a valid master (or equivalent) class falconry permit or until revoked in writing by the Service. (f) Permission to trap golden eagles for falconry purposes. Applicants desiring to trap golden eagles from the wild for use in falconry must request and obtain permission from the Service prior to exercising this privilege. The following applies to requests: (1) Only golden eagles from a specified depredation area may be trapped for falconry purposes. (2) Permission to trap golden eagles must be requested in writing from the appropriate State Animal Damage Control (ADC) supervisor subsequent to issuance of the permit to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes. (3) Permission to trap will not be granted until the permittee suitably demonstrates to the State ADC supervisor or a designated project leader his/her qualifications and capabilities to trap golden eagles from the wild. (4) All such trapping must be conducted under the direct supervision of the State ADC supervisor or designated project leader in the specified depredation area. (5) Any permission to trap golden eagles from the wild pursuant to this section shall in no case extend more than 90 days from the date of issue. (6) Upon issuance of permission to trap in accordance with the above conditions, the appropriate special agent in charge will be notified in writing by the State ADC supervisor of the individual's name, address, location of the specified depredation area and tenure of permission to trap golden eagles. [49 FR 891, Jan. 6, 1984, as amended at 63 FR 52638, Oct. 1, 1998]
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 22—EAGLE PERMITS
Subpart C—Eagle Permits
§ 22.24 Permits for falconry purposes.
