Legal Falconry Species in Michigan
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in Michigan
Information provided for reference only. Always verify with official sources before making decisions. Regulations may have changed since this information was last updated.
Filter Species
Species List
Showing 25 of 25 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE RESTRICTION: ONE wild-caught only (10.3(4)(a)(vi)). Cannot possess... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan owls (Barn Owl extirpated but legal if captive-bred). ... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan owls (Barn Owl extirpated but legal if captive-bred). ... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan species. May be possessed if captive-bred or legally a... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
General and Master falconers. NOT allowed for apprentices. Part of general raptor capture permit quo... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan species. May be possessed if captive-bred or legally a... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Written Application |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (10.3(4)(b)(v)). Requires written applicat... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Limited Capture Permit (Lottery) |
General and Master falconers. Statewide wild capture quota: max 2 per year via LOTTERY system (10.10... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. No specific MI wild capture provisions - must obtain captive-bred or l... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. No specific MI wild capture provisions - must obtain captive-bred or l... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan owls (Barn Owl extirpated but legal if captive-bred). ... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
General and Master falconers. Statewide wild capture quota: max 10 per year (10.10(1)(a)(i)). May ON... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
General and Master falconers. NOT allowed for apprentices. Part of general raptor capture permit quo... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan species. May be possessed if captive-bred or legally a... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. No specific MI wild capture provisions - must obtain captive-bred or l... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. No specific MI wild capture provisions - must obtain captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan species. May be possessed if captive-bred or legally a... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE RESTRICTION: ONE wild-caught only (10.3(4)(a)(vi)). Cannot possess... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
General and Master falconers. Statewide wild capture quota: max 10 per year (10.10(1)(a)(i)). Winter... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Wild Capture Permit |
General and Master falconers. NOT allowed for apprentices. Part of general raptor capture permit quo... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan owls (Barn Owl extirpated but legal if captive-bred). ... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
State Falconry Permit + Limited Capture Permit (Lottery) |
General and Master falconers. Statewide wild capture quota: max 1 per year via LOTTERY (10.10(1)(a)(... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Written Application |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (10.3(4)(b)(v)). Requires written applicat... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
State Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers. Native Michigan species. May be possessed if captive-bred or legally a... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
State Falconry Permit + Written Application |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General (10.3(4)(b)(v)). Requires written applicat... |