(1) INSPECTION.
Upon receipt of an application for a resident falconry permit, the department
shall, within 30 days, inspect the applicant's facilities and equipment and
determine that the applicant complies with this section before a permit may be
issued. Falconry birds, facilities, equipment, and records may be inspected by
state or tribal officials only in the presence of the permittee during business
hours on any day of the week.
(2)
FACILITIES; EQUIPMENT. The applicant shall provide and maintain the following
facilities and equipment in accordance with the following standards to ensure
the health and safety of the raptor or raptors:
(a)
Facilities. Raptor
housing facilities whether indoors or outdoors shall be maintained in a clean
state and protected from the environment, predators and undue disturbance and
shall include either:
Note: Indoor facilities are commonly known as mews and
outdoor facilities are commonly known as weathering areas.
1. Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large
enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors housed in them. If more
than one raptor is to be kept in a mew, the raptors shall be tethered or
separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to
allow the bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window,
protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the
bird's head, and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of a mew
shall permit easy cleaning, be well drained, and have at least one
perch.
2. Outdoor facilities
(weathering areas) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire, or roofed
to protect the birds from disturbance and from attack by predators. The
enclosed weathering area shall be large enough to ensure the birds cannot
strike the fence when flying from the perch. Protection from excessive sun,
wind, and inclement weather, and at least one adequate perch shall be provided
for each bird.
3. A single facility
meeting the requirements of both subds. 1. and 2. may be permitted.
(b)
Equipment.
The following items shall be in the possession of the applicant before a permit
can be obtained.
1. `Jesses.' A minimum of
one pair of Aylmeri jesses or similar type constructed of pliable, high-quality
leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown
free. Traditional one-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being
flown.
2. `Leashes and swivels.' A
minimum of one flexible, weather resistant leash and one strong swivel of
acceptable falconry design.
3.
`Bath container.' A minimum of one suitable container, 2 to 6 inches deep and
wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each
raptor.
4. `Outdoor perches.' A
minimum of one weathering area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided
for each raptor.
5. `Weighing
device.' A reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptors held and
graduated to increments of not more than 1/2-ounce (15 grams) shall be provided
by the permittee.
(c)
Maintenance. All facilities and equipment shall be kept at or
above the preceding standards at all times.
