Are You Out Of The Loop About The 2009 Sunset On A Falconry Law

It looks like a bill aimed at dropping a 2009 sunset on a falconry law is getting general support. Getting rid of the sunset provision means that falconers in Michigan can continue to trap birds from the wild under provisions of the law. This is especially important for apprentices, who are barred from using captive-bred birds during their apprenticeship here in Michigan.

The practice of falconry in the modern era seems to many an anachronism. However, the care of raptors and interaction with hunting with a skilled predator provides many insights into animal behavior not otherwise available to the biologist. Falconry is regulated under both federal and state laws. All raptors in the USA are protected under various statutes; any “take” of a raptor must be done under the appropriate permit to be legal. This includes the possession of raptor feathers. (Actually, the possession of any feathers from migratory birds is illegal without the right permits, which has cost several artists fines and confiscation of works which incorporated feathers.) If you are interested in falconry, the probable best first contact is the state agency which regulates wildlife or hunting in your own state. Request information on falconry, and you should receive the relevant state and federal statutes and requirements, and some states also distribute lists of currently permitted falconers in the state.