General Information
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) completed a Final Environmental Assessment for the take of passage (first year birds) Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) during 2008. The USFWS determined that 36 passage birds could be taken east of 100 degrees longitude without having any negative impacts on Peregrine Falcon populations. Overall take limits remained at 36 birds since 2009. On September 11, 2017 take was increased by the USFWS to 144 individuals, east of 100 degrees longitude. Each flyway was allocated 48 individuals. This year, the USFWS in coordination with Flyway Councils, which have members from each state, developed and approved a plan for take during the winter of 2025. During the winter of 2025-2026 the Atlantic Flyway Council allocated the number of falcons to be taken among the Atlantic coastal states. This was accomplished by evaluation of two factors. These included: (1) the desire of each state to participate; and (2) the geographical distribution of passage falcons along the Atlantic Coast. Through this process, Virginia was allotted a total of five (5) passage Peregrine Falcons for the 2026 trapping season where one (1) passage Peregrine is designated for non-resident applicants.
Falconer Eligibility
Virginia residents and non-residents classified as Master or General Class falconers are eligible to apply. At the discretion of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), those applicants with limited experience handling and hunting with falcons may be excluded from authorization to take a Peregrine Falcon.
Program Outline
- The season for take will be from September 20 – October 20, 2026 or until permitees have successfully captured and reported their birds as per conditions #6 and #8 below.
- A random draw of four (4) qualifying, Virginia applicants will be conducted to determine individual permit allocation for Peregrine take.
- One (1) of the five (5) birds allocated to Virginia may be taken by a non-resident falconer. The trapping season is open to all qualified non-residents. It will close immediately after the first falcon is taken and reported as per the conditions of requirement number 7 below.
- Only one passage Peregrine Falcon may be captured and possessed by a falconer.
- No banded Peregrine Falcons may be taken. If a banded raptor is accidentally captured, band numbers and colors must be recorded, photographs taken if possible, and the bird must be immediately released. Band numbers and photographs of such incidentally captured birds must be submitted to DWR Falconry Coordinator, Andrew Stanley, no later than 31 October 2026. Contact can be made via phone/email at 804-634-0098 or andrew.stanley@dwr.virginia.gov.
- A Peregrine Falcon that is captured must be released no later than one hour before sunset on the day of its capture if it is deemed unsuitable for falconry. Birds that falconers take and intend to possess for falconry must be immediately banded with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service black falconry band. If you do not have a USFWS falconry band, contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) at (804) 367-6913.
- Report of your take of a Peregrine Falcon is mandatory by calling Andrew Stanley at (804)634-0098 no later than 9:00 pm on the day of capture. Your message must report your name, time of capture, location of capture, and USFWS falconry band number (if already in possession of unused bands).
- For non-resident participants, upon the receipt of the first successful reporting of the capture and possession (as required in #6 above) of a passage Peregrine, all non-resident falconers authorized to take a falcon will be contacted by telephone to inform them of the season closure. It is important to note, permittees must be accessible by telephone or email from September 20 until the season closes. Attempts to take a peregrine falcon after notification of season closure are not authorized.