Tennessee Awarded Permit to allow trapping of one Peregrine Falcon for use in Falconry

Nashville, TN – This year, for the first time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded Tennessee one permit allowing the trapping of one Peregrine falcon for the use in falconry.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will award this permit to the winner of a draw to be held on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011. Falconers may go to TWRA’s website under the Hot Topics section and locate the print-ready application. Resident and non-resident master and general falconers are eligible for participation in the draw. Completed applications must be mailed by August 10th.

The population of Peregrine falcons, through state and federal conservation efforts, has recovered enough since their near-extinction in the early 20th century to allow for a limited take of these birds for the use in falconry.

“This is a unique opportunity for falconers since Peregrines were the primary birds used in falconry until the early 1900s,” said Walter Cook, TWRA Statewide Falconry Coordinator.

For more information, contact Walter Cook at walter.cook@tn.gov or 615-781-6647.