B.C.F.A.

The British Columbia Falconry Association is the oldest club in B.C. For more information visit their website B.C.F.A.

Falconry in B.C.

You've decided you have the time and energy to properly commit to the sport of Falconry. What legal aspects of the sport do you need to know?

The following excerpts are taken from the Falconry Procedure Manual.

To get your complete Procedure Manual write.

Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.
10470 152nd Street
Surrey, B.C.
V3R 0Y3
Tel (604) 582-5200
Fax (604) 930-7119

PERMITS

Permit. No person may take, capture, possess, import, export or transport a live raptorial bird without holding a valid permit. Notwithstanding the issuance of a permit, all raptorial birds captured from the wild in B.C. remain the property of the Crown. However, birds bred, hatched and raised in captivity or those legally taken in and imported from other jurisdictions will be considered the property of the owner but their possession, use , transfer and export will be subject to all applicable regulations and permits.

Permitted use of captive raptorial birds.
- Scientific Study (studies of the biology or behaviour of wild or captive birds by qualified scientists).
- Falconry ( use of free-flying captive birds to take live or artificial prey).
- Captive breeding.
- Public displays-zoos.

Duration of Permit.
Permits for the capture, possession and use of all raptors expire March 31st each year unless otherwise specified.

Residence.
Non-residents as defined in the Wildlife Act are not eligible for permits to capture raptorial birds.

Experience.
New residents of the Province desiring recognition of their previous experience with possessing raptorial birds under legal permit must provide written confirmation from the outside issuing management authority. No person may be issued a valid permit to import, capture or possess a Class 1 raptorial bird or birds unless he has legally possessed a Class 2 raptorial bird for a period of two years prior to his application (for definitions of Class 1 and 2, refer to tables below).

Age.
No person under the 18 years of age may be issued a permit except where parental consent and acknowledgment of responsibility is given in writing assuring that the applicant conforms with all the requirements of the Wildlife Act, it's regulations and supporting conditions.

Possession.
No person may be issued a permit unless Pens, (Mews) or holding facilities conform to the standard set by the Bird and Endangered Species Specialist. After December 31, 1983 all raptorial birds must be banded with bands supplied or approved by the Bird and Endangered Specialist.

Disposal.
Legally held raptors may be lent, transported, given, received sold, bought, bartered or exchanged only by the holders of valid possession permits within B.C. The export of any raptorial bird from B.C. is forbidden unless authorized by permit.

Denial.
The Fish and Wildlife Branch may revoke or refuse to issue any permit to any person for a period of two years following conviction for an offense relating to raptorial birds.

Capture.
No person may capture more than two (2) raptorial birds per calendar year. A minimum of one young bird must be left in each eyrie or nest. Where there are three or more young, at least two must be left. A minimum of two young must be left in each eyrie or nest of the Peregrine or Gyrfalcon. Young shall not be transferred from one nest to another to meet the requirements.

I have created a mail list for falconers called Canadian Falconry. All falconers are welcome and we have falconers from around the world on the list.

Click to subscribe to CanadianFalconry

Due to demand I have also created a mail list for serious longwingers called appropriately enough Longwingers. This is not a beginners list and subscriptions are vetted by myself.