Legal Falconry Species in West Virginia
Complete list of raptor species legal for falconry in West Virginia
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 |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage only per 58-65-11). May be t... |
Barn Owl Tyto alba |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV year-round (uncommon, o... |
Barred Owl Strix varia |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV year-round (very common... |
Boreal Owl Aegolius funereus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV but federally legal... |
Broad-winged Hawk Buteo platypterus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (common summer breeder,... |
Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV but federally legal... |
Cooper's Hawk Accipiter cooperii |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices per 50 CFR 21.82. Native to WV year-r... |
Ferruginous Hawk Buteo regalis |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV - captive-bred or o... |
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos |
Master |
West Virginia Falconry Permit + Federal Eagle Take Permit |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires federal eagle take permit per 50... |
Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV but federally legal... |
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV year-round (very common... |
Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to lower 48 - typically c... |
Harris's Hawk Parabuteo unicinctus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV (southwestern US sp... |
Long-eared Owl Asio otus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (uncommon winter visito... |
Merlin Falco columbarius |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (winter visitor, migran... |
Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (uncommon, western moun... |
Northern Harrier Circus hudsonius |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (marshes, grasslands, w... |
Northern Hawk-Owl Surnia ulula |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV but federally legal... |
Northern Saw-whet Owl Aegolius acadicus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (uncommon winter visito... |
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit + Special Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (year-round/migratory, ... |
Prairie Falcon Falco mexicanus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV - captive-bred or l... |
Red-shouldered Hawk Buteo lineatus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV year-round (common in w... |
Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis |
Apprentice |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
All experience levels. APPRENTICE: May possess only ONE raptor (passage only per 58-65-11). Most app... |
Rough-legged Hawk Buteo lagopus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (uncommon winter visito... |
Sharp-shinned Hawk Accipiter striatus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (common migrant, winter... |
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Native to WV (winter visitor, grassl... |
Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV but federally legal... |
Steller's Sea Eagle Haliaeetus pelagicus |
Master |
West Virginia Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per fed... |
Swainson's Hawk Buteo swainsoni |
General |
West Virginia Falconry Permit (Captive-bred only) |
General and Master falconers only. NOT allowed for apprentices. Not native to WV. WILD TAKE FEDERALL... |
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla |
Master |
West Virginia Falconry Permit + Additional Documentation |
Master falconers only. NOT allowed for Apprentice/General. Requires additional documentation per fed... |