RSA Chapter 209-A — Falconry

Title XVIII — Fish and Game

Current through the 2025 Regular Session of the New Hampshire General Court.

Title XVIII Fish and Game

RSA 209-A:1 Definitions

In this chapter:

I. "Department" means the department of fish and game.

II. "Executive director" means the executive director of the department of fish and game.

III. "Falconry" means the sport of taking quarry by means of a trained raptor.

IV. "Raptor" means a live migratory bird of the family Accipitridae or of the family Falconidae.

Source. 1987, 130:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.

RSA 209-A:2 Purpose

Notwithstanding RSA 207:3 or any law to the contrary, the general court recognizes that falconry is a legal means of taking game and a legal basis for keeping otherwise protected raptorial birds.

Source. 1987, 130:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.

RSA 209-A:3 Falconry

I. Notwithstanding RSA 207:14 and in accordance with any applicable federal regulations, the executive director may issue falconry permits for the capture and possession of raptors for falconry purposes, raptor propagation, or for salvage or rehabilitation purposes. No person shall engage in the sport of falconry without a valid falconry permit and applicable license to hunt issued under RSA 214. The initial fee for a falconry permit shall be $50 and renewal fees and procedures for issuance of permits shall be established under rules adopted by the executive director, with the approval of the fish and game commission, pursuant to RSA 541-A.

II. Revenues from fees and renewals under paragraph I shall be deposited in the nongame species account established in RSA 212-B:6.

III. The executive director, with the consent of the commission, may establish, by rules under RSA 541-A, an open season or closed season for the taking of certain game animals, game birds, and small game by the use of raptors in falconry in any county of the state, or any portion thereof. Such rules shall include, but not be limited to, the length of the season, bag limits, and methods of taking.

IV. Any person permitted under this section shall be exempt from the requirements of RSA 207:14, when the permittee's activities pertain to falconry.

Source. 1987, 130:1. 1990, 122:1. 2001, 180:3. 2003, 60:2, eff. July 1, 2003.

RSA 209-A:4 Penalty

Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a violation.

Source. 1987, 130:1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988.