Legal Falconry Species in Indiana
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Indiana
Information provided for reference only. Always verify with official sources before making decisions. Regulations may have changed since this information was last updated.
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Species List
Showing 30 of 30 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
Indiana Falconry License |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE RESTRICTION: First raptor MUST be WILD American kestrel or WILD re... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana owls. Allowed per Str... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native year-round, very common in ea... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN but federally legal... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana buteo. General: max 3... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN but federally legal... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native year-round. Transfer to propa... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN - captive-bred or l... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
Indiana Falconry License + Department Approval + Eagle Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Max 3 eagles total (golden, white-tailed,... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN but federally legal... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native year-round, most common owl i... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN - captive-bred or l... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
Apprentice |
Indiana Falconry License |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE RESTRICTION: May possess after 6+ months experience (wild or capti... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana owls. Allowed per Str... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare in Indiana. Transfer to propaga... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare in Indiana (uncommon winter vis... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana buteo. General: max 3... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN but federally legal... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana owls. Allowed per Str... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana (breeding population ... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN - captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana buteo. General: max 3... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
Indiana Falconry License |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE RESTRICTION: First raptor MUST be WILD red-tailed or WILD American... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana buteo. General: max 3... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native year-round. Transfer to propa... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native Indiana owls. Allowed per Str... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to IN but federally legal... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
Indiana Falconry License + Department Approval + Eagle Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Max 3 eagles total (golden, white-tailed,... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
Indiana Falconry License |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Rare migrant through Indiana. Federa... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
Indiana Falconry License + Department Approval + Eagle Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Max 3 eagles total (golden, white-tailed,... |