A Federal Special Purpose Abatement permit is required for the purchase, sale, possession, and use of captive-bred raptors protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for depredation situations. An abatement permit does not authorize the killing or injuring of any migratory bird or other wildlife – additional federal and/or state authorization may be required. Raptors used for abatement must be captive bred and marked on the metatarsus with a seamless numbered band issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Only raptors that belong to you may be used under your abatement permit.
Abatement means the use of trained raptors to flush, haze, or take wildlife to reduce depredation problems, including threats to human health and safety.
How do abatement and falconry differ?
Falconry is the art of training and using a raptor to hunt quarry for sport. Abatement is the act of using a raptor to pursue (and in some cases to take) depredating birds or other wildlife to mitigate damage. Falconry permits are issued by state wildlife agencies; however, Federal Abatement permits are issued by the Service.
Who Needs It
To obtain a Federal Abatement permit, you must have a current, active State Falconry permit at the Master Falconer level. If your State Falconry permit allows falconry birds to be used for abatement activities, falconry birds that are captive-bred and have seamless bands may be used under your Federal Abatement permit. You, and only you, may use your falconry birds for abatement without transferring the raptor to your Federal Abatement permit. Abatement sub-permittees may not use your falconry birds or their falconry birds under your Federal Abatement permit.
If you have a Federal Abatement permit, you may charge a fee and receive payment.
A raptor possessed under your Federal Abatement permit may only be used for falconry if it is transferred from this abatement permit to a falconry permit.
All raptors held under a Federal Abatement permit must be maintained under humane and healthful conditions as required in 50 CFR 13.41. Your facilities and equipment must meet falconry standards described in 50 CFR 21.29, as well as your state falconry regulations. You should also contact your State wildlife agency for information about any additional requirements they may have for housing raptors in captivity.
Process
To Submit an Application
To submit an application online or through the mail, follow the instructions on our ePermits site.
Application Fee
- $100
- Application fee is non-refundable.
- Federal, Tribal, State, and local government agencies, and those acting on the behalf of such agencies, are exempt from the processing fee (documentation may be required).