Washington Administrative Code
Title 220 - Fish and Wildlife, Department of
WILDLIFE
Chapter 220-420 - Falconry
Section 220-420-400 - Falconers assisting in rehabilitation of raptors to prepare them for release

(1) A general or master falconer may assist a state and federally permitted migratory bird rehabilitator or the department to treat and condition raptors in preparation for their release to the wild. The rehabilitator must provide the falconer with a letter, note, or form that identifies the raptor and explains that the falconer is assisting in its rehabilitation. A falconer may keep a raptor undergoing rehabilitation at an approved raptor facility. The facility does not need to meet rehabilitation facility standards. A falconer may assist the department by trapping raptors for rehabilitation, or for wildlife control for release back to the wild.

(2) A raptor held for rehabilitation does not need to be added to a falconry permit. It will remain under the rehabilitator's permit.

(3) Any raptor that cannot be permanently released to the wild must be returned to the rehabilitator or the department within the one hundred eighty-day time frame in which the rehabilitator is authorized to possess the raptor, unless the department authorizes the raptor's detention for longer than one hundred eighty days, or unless the rehabilitator or department transfers the raptor to the falconer to possess or hold under his/her falconry permit.

(4) Before releasing a threatened or endangered migratory raptor, it must comply with any requirements for the release from the department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.