Washington Administrative Code
Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of
WILDLIFE
Chapter 220-420 - Falconry
Section 220-420-110 - Nonresident falconers in Washington

(1) Nonresident falconers may practice falconry in Washington. The nonresident falconer must possess a valid permit to possess raptors and practice falconry in his/her home state, tribe, or country. The nonresident may possess, transport through the state, fly, practice falconry, or hunt with legal raptors held under the authority of such permit.

A falconer from another country may need federal permits to bring a raptor into the United States to be legally possessed in Washington.

(2) A falconer may import a raptor into Washington if a health certificate for the raptor is in the possession of the importer. When flown free, any raptor brought into Washington temporarily from another country must have two attached radio transmitters.

(3) In order to release a falconry raptor to pursue game, or hunt, depending on the type of game hunted, a nonresident falconry permit holder may be required to purchase appropriate nonresident state and/or tribal hunting licenses, permits, tags, Washington Bird Stamp, migratory bird validation, and/or a federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp.

(4) Nonresident falconers may be authorized by permit from the director to capture one legal raptor per year in Washington with the requirement to purchase a nonresident raptor capture permit. A premium Class 1 nonresident raptor capture permit may authorize a nonresident falconer to capture a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), a gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), or a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). A basic Class 2 nonresident raptor capture permit may authorize a nonresident falconer to capture any other raptor species authorized for capture in Washington.

(5) The taking of a legal raptor by a nonresident must comply with Washington regulations for the appropriate class of falconer. The nonresident raptor capture permit shall be valid for one year.