Post by Mars on May 6, 2005 20:25:56 GMT -5
3 CSR 10-9.442 Falconry
PURPOSE: This rule establishes provisions for hunting with birds of prey.
(1) Birds of prey may be taken, transported, possessed or used to take wildlife only by holders of a falconry permit, to be issued only to residents qualified by passing with a score of at least eighty percent (80%) a written examination meeting federal standards and whose facilities and equipment meet requirements specified in this rule. The barter, sale, purchase, importation or exportation of raptors without a permit is prohibited.
(2) Only designated types and numbers of birds of prey may be possessed and all these birds shall bear a numbered, non-reusable marker provided by the department. Birds held under a falconry permit may be used, without further permit, to pursue and take wildlife within the following seasons and bag
limits: (A) Cottontail and swamp rabbits may be taken from October 1 to March 31. Daily limit: six (6) rabbits including no more than two (2) swamp rabbits; possession limit: twelve (12) rabbits including no more than four (4) swamp rabbits. (B) Squirrels may be taken from the Saturday before Memorial Day to February 1.
Daily limit: two (2) squirrels; possession limit: four (4) squirrels. (C) Quail may be taken from October 1 to
January 15. Daily limit: three (3) quail; possession limit: six (6) quail. (D) Doves may be taken from September 1 to December 16 from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily limit: three (3) doves; possession limit: six (6) doves, except that any waterfowl taken by falconers must be included within these limits. (E) Ducks, mergansers and coots may be taken from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset as follows: in the North Zone, September 11 through September 19 and September 25 through December 28; in the Middle Zone, September 11 through September 19 and September 29 through January 4; and, in the South Zone, September 11 through September 19 and October 19 through January 24. Daily limit: three (3) birds singly or in the aggregate, including doves; possession limit: six (6) birds singly or in the aggregate, including doves. (F) Pheasants of either sex and gray partridge may be taken in the areas and during the periods and within the bag and possession limits listed in 3 CSR 10-7.430. (G) Other wildlife may be taken only within the specified seasons and bag limits, except that non-migratory game species may be taken outside of the specified falconry seasons with a daily limit of one (1) per raptor per day.
(3) Nonresidents with valid Missouri hunting permits may use birds of prey properly licensed in other states to take wildlife during the open season; provided, that these properly licensed falcons, without further permit, may be entered and used by nonresidents to take wildlife in any regional or national falconry field trial authorized by letter from the director.
(4) Applicants for permits shall submit an application with information including the number of raptors possessed and the species, age, sex, date of acquisition and source of
each. Falconry permits are issued by classes as follows:
(A) Apprentice Class. Permittees shall be at least fourteen (14) years old and shall have a sponsor holding a general or master falconry permit. A sponsor shall have no more than three (3) apprentices at any one (1) time. An apprentice may possess only one (1) American kestrel (Falco sparverius) or one (1) red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) or one (1) red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) and may obtain not more than one (1) replacement raptor during any twelve (12)-month period.
(B) General Class. Permittees shall be at least eighteen (18) years old and shall have at least two (2) years. experience in falconry at the apprentice level. A general falconer may not possess more than two (2) raptors of the family Accipitridae, or of the family Falconidae, or the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) of the family Strigidae; but not to include any eagle or any threatened or endangered species. A general falconer shall not obtain more than two (2) raptors for replacements during any twelve (12)-month period.
(C) Master Class. Permittees shall have at least five (5) years. experience in falconry at the general class level and shall not possess more than three (3) raptors of the family Accipitridae, or of the family Falconidae, or the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) of the family Strigidae; but not to include any golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) except by written federal authorization, nor more than one (1) threatened species, nor any endangered species. A master falconer shall not obtain more than two (2) raptors taken from
the wild for replacements during any twelve (12)-month period.
(5) Applicants. facilities for raptors shall be inspected and certified to meet the following standards. Applicants may utilize only one (1) facility (mews or weathering area) provided it meets all requirements for protection described in this section. (A) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors. Raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and each bird shall be provided enough area to allow it to fully extend its wings. There shall be adequate perches, a secure door easily closed and at least one (1) window protected on the inside by vertical bars spaced narrower than the width of the bird’s body. The floor shall be well drained and shall permit easy cleaning. (B) Outdoor (weathering area) facilities shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire or roofed, except for perches more than six and one-half feet (6 1/2') high. The enclosed area shall be large enough to ensure that birds flying from a perch cannot strike the fence. Raptors shall be provided adequate perches and protection from excessive sun, wind and inclement weather.
(6) Applicants for falconry permits shall possess the following equipment: (A) Jesses at least one (1) pair of Aylmer jesses or similar type constructed of pliable leather or suitable synthetic material for use when any raptor is flown free. (B) Leashes and swivels at least one (1) flexible, weather-resistant leash and one (1) strong swivel of acceptable falconry design. (C) Bath container a suitable container for each raptor two to six inches (2.6") deep and wider than the length of the raptor. (D) Outdoor perches a weathering area perch of acceptable design for each raptor. (E) Weighing device a reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptors held and graduated to increments of not more than one-half (1/2) ounce (fifteen (15) grams).
(7) Raptors may be taken from the wild only as follows: (A) Raptors shall be taken only in a humane manner. Any device used to take birds of prey shall be labeled with the name and address of the user and shall be attended by the user daily. (B) Young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses), except northern harriers (marsh hawks), sharp-shinned hawks, Swanson’s hawks, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, Mississippi kites, barn owls, short-eared owls and long-eared owls, may be taken only by a general or master falconer from May 1 to May 7 and from June 1 to June 30, and no more than two (2) eyasses, one (1) of which may be a Cooper’s hawk, may be taken by a falconer during this period. (C) First year (passage) birds may be taken from September 1 to January 21; provided that permittees may retrap only their marked raptor at any time. (D) Only American kestrels and great horned owls may be taken when over one (1)- year old, except that raptors other than those listed in subsection (7)(B) of this rule, when taken under a depredation or special purpose federal permit may be used by general and master falconer. (E) Nonresidents who have valid falconry permits issued by their state of residence, with written authorization of the director, may take from the wild and, when banded, possess and transport raptors under conditions and at those places and times as the director may specify; providing, that this person shall possess a valid Missouri nonresident hunting permit. (Note: Persons transporting raptors so taken into another state also must secure permission for the transfer from the other state.)
PURPOSE: This rule establishes provisions for hunting with birds of prey.
(1) Birds of prey may be taken, transported, possessed or used to take wildlife only by holders of a falconry permit, to be issued only to residents qualified by passing with a score of at least eighty percent (80%) a written examination meeting federal standards and whose facilities and equipment meet requirements specified in this rule. The barter, sale, purchase, importation or exportation of raptors without a permit is prohibited.
(2) Only designated types and numbers of birds of prey may be possessed and all these birds shall bear a numbered, non-reusable marker provided by the department. Birds held under a falconry permit may be used, without further permit, to pursue and take wildlife within the following seasons and bag
limits: (A) Cottontail and swamp rabbits may be taken from October 1 to March 31. Daily limit: six (6) rabbits including no more than two (2) swamp rabbits; possession limit: twelve (12) rabbits including no more than four (4) swamp rabbits. (B) Squirrels may be taken from the Saturday before Memorial Day to February 1.
Daily limit: two (2) squirrels; possession limit: four (4) squirrels. (C) Quail may be taken from October 1 to
January 15. Daily limit: three (3) quail; possession limit: six (6) quail. (D) Doves may be taken from September 1 to December 16 from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset. Daily limit: three (3) doves; possession limit: six (6) doves, except that any waterfowl taken by falconers must be included within these limits. (E) Ducks, mergansers and coots may be taken from one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to sunset as follows: in the North Zone, September 11 through September 19 and September 25 through December 28; in the Middle Zone, September 11 through September 19 and September 29 through January 4; and, in the South Zone, September 11 through September 19 and October 19 through January 24. Daily limit: three (3) birds singly or in the aggregate, including doves; possession limit: six (6) birds singly or in the aggregate, including doves. (F) Pheasants of either sex and gray partridge may be taken in the areas and during the periods and within the bag and possession limits listed in 3 CSR 10-7.430. (G) Other wildlife may be taken only within the specified seasons and bag limits, except that non-migratory game species may be taken outside of the specified falconry seasons with a daily limit of one (1) per raptor per day.
(3) Nonresidents with valid Missouri hunting permits may use birds of prey properly licensed in other states to take wildlife during the open season; provided, that these properly licensed falcons, without further permit, may be entered and used by nonresidents to take wildlife in any regional or national falconry field trial authorized by letter from the director.
(4) Applicants for permits shall submit an application with information including the number of raptors possessed and the species, age, sex, date of acquisition and source of
each. Falconry permits are issued by classes as follows:
(A) Apprentice Class. Permittees shall be at least fourteen (14) years old and shall have a sponsor holding a general or master falconry permit. A sponsor shall have no more than three (3) apprentices at any one (1) time. An apprentice may possess only one (1) American kestrel (Falco sparverius) or one (1) red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) or one (1) red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) and may obtain not more than one (1) replacement raptor during any twelve (12)-month period.
(B) General Class. Permittees shall be at least eighteen (18) years old and shall have at least two (2) years. experience in falconry at the apprentice level. A general falconer may not possess more than two (2) raptors of the family Accipitridae, or of the family Falconidae, or the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) of the family Strigidae; but not to include any eagle or any threatened or endangered species. A general falconer shall not obtain more than two (2) raptors for replacements during any twelve (12)-month period.
(C) Master Class. Permittees shall have at least five (5) years. experience in falconry at the general class level and shall not possess more than three (3) raptors of the family Accipitridae, or of the family Falconidae, or the great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) of the family Strigidae; but not to include any golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) except by written federal authorization, nor more than one (1) threatened species, nor any endangered species. A master falconer shall not obtain more than two (2) raptors taken from
the wild for replacements during any twelve (12)-month period.
(5) Applicants. facilities for raptors shall be inspected and certified to meet the following standards. Applicants may utilize only one (1) facility (mews or weathering area) provided it meets all requirements for protection described in this section. (A) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors. Raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and each bird shall be provided enough area to allow it to fully extend its wings. There shall be adequate perches, a secure door easily closed and at least one (1) window protected on the inside by vertical bars spaced narrower than the width of the bird’s body. The floor shall be well drained and shall permit easy cleaning. (B) Outdoor (weathering area) facilities shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire or roofed, except for perches more than six and one-half feet (6 1/2') high. The enclosed area shall be large enough to ensure that birds flying from a perch cannot strike the fence. Raptors shall be provided adequate perches and protection from excessive sun, wind and inclement weather.
(6) Applicants for falconry permits shall possess the following equipment: (A) Jesses at least one (1) pair of Aylmer jesses or similar type constructed of pliable leather or suitable synthetic material for use when any raptor is flown free. (B) Leashes and swivels at least one (1) flexible, weather-resistant leash and one (1) strong swivel of acceptable falconry design. (C) Bath container a suitable container for each raptor two to six inches (2.6") deep and wider than the length of the raptor. (D) Outdoor perches a weathering area perch of acceptable design for each raptor. (E) Weighing device a reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptors held and graduated to increments of not more than one-half (1/2) ounce (fifteen (15) grams).
(7) Raptors may be taken from the wild only as follows: (A) Raptors shall be taken only in a humane manner. Any device used to take birds of prey shall be labeled with the name and address of the user and shall be attended by the user daily. (B) Young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses), except northern harriers (marsh hawks), sharp-shinned hawks, Swanson’s hawks, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, Mississippi kites, barn owls, short-eared owls and long-eared owls, may be taken only by a general or master falconer from May 1 to May 7 and from June 1 to June 30, and no more than two (2) eyasses, one (1) of which may be a Cooper’s hawk, may be taken by a falconer during this period. (C) First year (passage) birds may be taken from September 1 to January 21; provided that permittees may retrap only their marked raptor at any time. (D) Only American kestrels and great horned owls may be taken when over one (1)- year old, except that raptors other than those listed in subsection (7)(B) of this rule, when taken under a depredation or special purpose federal permit may be used by general and master falconer. (E) Nonresidents who have valid falconry permits issued by their state of residence, with written authorization of the director, may take from the wild and, when banded, possess and transport raptors under conditions and at those places and times as the director may specify; providing, that this person shall possess a valid Missouri nonresident hunting permit. (Note: Persons transporting raptors so taken into another state also must secure permission for the transfer from the other state.)
