The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is soliciting public comments to help determine whether it should amend Federal falconry regulations to accommodate falconry education programs that allow students to handle and fly raptors.
In a notice published in todays Federal Register, the Service announced that it will accept public comments on whether the falconry regulations should be amended, as well as what conditions should be included in the regulations if they are amended.
"Raptor programs are a valuable tool for conservation education, helping students understand wildlife and inspiring them to protect our wildlife heritage. We want to maintain these programs, while ensuring that they both protect birds and comply with Federal falconry regulations," said Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark.
Under Federal law, the Service oversees and issues falconry and other migratory bird permits nationwide, including those permits given to schools and educators who use raptors and other migratory birds as part of educational programs and demonstrations. Most of the conservation education permits issued by the Service authorize the possession of raptors for use in programs where the birds are displayed to an audience, while restricting audience members from handling the birds.
The Service previously issued two migratory bird education permits for falconry schools that allow participants who have no prior falconry experience to handle birds. Although these permits require instructors to hold either general or master class falconry permits, students have not been required to obtain their own falconry permits.
After receiving public comments regarding those programs and observing inconsistencies in how the regulations were interpreted and applied, the Service decided to review the current federal falconry regulations and definitions. In doing so, Service personnel determined that existing falconry regulations are not limited to the activity of hunting with falcons, but cover all aspects of the sport of falconry, including the possession, handling, housing and training of raptors.
As a result, in order to continue to allow the operation of falconry education facilities, the Service must either prohibit the handling of raptors by persons who do not hold a falconry permit, or amend current regulations to create additional and less restrictive opportunities for public participation in falconry. Until a decision is made, the Service is allowing operation of the two permitted schools because the determination was made after their permits had been issued. The two programs are the British School of Falconry in Manchester, Vermont, and the Falconry and Raptor Education Foundation in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Currently, approximately 4,000 Federal falconry permits have been issued to individuals nationwide. In addition to complying with Federal falconry permit regulations, permit holders must also obtain state falconry permits and comply with state hunting laws.
Falconry regulations require permit holders to have knowledge and experience with raptors, and also specify required equipment and set standards for raptor housing. Regulations also specify the species and numbers of raptors that falconers may possess. The Service allows falconers to use the birds in their possession for conservation education and falconry demonstrations that do not involve handling by audience members.
The Service will accept comments on the issue through January 19, 2001. Comments may be sent to Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 634, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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