Washington Administrative Code
Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of
WILDLIFE
Chapter 220-420 - Falconry
Section 220-420-330 - Abatement activities with captive raptors

(1) There is no specific Washington state abatement permit. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has the sole responsibility for issuing special purpose abatement permits in Washington. An abatement operator, or subpermittees thereof, must possess a valid falconry permit from Washington, another state, tribe, or country. A falconry permit is not required for a person who is not engaged in flying a raptor, such as caring for, handling, or otherwise assisting the operator.

(2) An abatement operator, or subpermittees thereof, and raptor handlers using captive bred origin raptors may receive payment for providing abatement services if they are listed in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Abatement Permit. Abatement activities shall comply with any federal depredation order/permit and take permits. The abatement operator may be required to possess a Washington permit issued by the director for the take of wildlife (RCW 77.12.240 and 77.36.030) . It is the responsibility of the abatement operator to possess all other relevant state and local permits.

(3) A master falconer may independently conduct abatement activities. A general or apprentice falconer, may conduct abatement activities only as a subpermittee of the holder of the federal abatement permit. A raptor handler who is not engaged in active flying of the raptor is not required to possess a falconry permit.

(4) Wildlife taken under abatement and depredation permits may be stored and/or used as food for raptors.