Legal Falconry Species in South Carolina
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in South Carolina
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 26 of 26 species
| Species | Experience Level | Permit Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
American Kestrel Falco sparverius |
Apprentice |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage or captive-bred, NO nestling... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal 50 CFR 21.82 (not SC rest... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Not native to South... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
South Carolina Falconry Permit + Federal Golden Eagle Permit + Special Qualifications |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per federal 50 CFR 21.82. SC allows posses... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Not native to South... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Not native to South... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Not native to South... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage or captive-bred, NO nestling... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Native to South Car... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. Rare irruptive wint... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
South Carolina Falconry Permit + Special Qualifications (Captive-bred only) |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per federal regs. SC allows possession wit... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
South Carolina Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per federal regs. WILD TAKE PROHIBITE... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
South Carolina Falconry Permit + Special Qualifications (Captive-bred only) |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General per federal regs. SC allows possession wit... |