NYS changes falconry regulations – FingerLakes1.com Archive

Proposed changes to the regulations governing the sport of falconry are now out for public comment, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. The proposed regulations are in response to changes to the Federal regulations governing the sport of falconry published by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. DEC consulted with the Falconry Advisory Board in developing the regulations. In addition, in April 2012, the Environmental Conservation Law was amended to change the falconry license term and fee thereby requiring subsequent changes to the state regulations. DEC will be accepting public comments through May 6, 2013.DEC worked with the New York State Falconry Advisory Board to review and incorporate the federal regulation changes into New York’s proposed regulation changes. The proposed regulations will provide regulatory relief for falconers and increase the number of raptors that can be possessed by General Falconers and Master Falconers.The proposed regulations authorize additional activities under the authority of a falconry license including: conducting conservation education programs, conducting limited propagation, and assisting wildlife rehabilitators with the assessment and conditioning of raptors prior to release. In accordance with the new state legislation, the license term and license fee for falconry licenses will change from 20 dollars for 4 a year license to 40 dollars for a 5 year license.The full text of the regulation change and instructions for submitting comments can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/propregulations.html on DEC’s website. Comments on the proposed regulations can be sent by email to jetherri@gw.dec.state.ny.us or mailed to Joe Therrien, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752. Hard copies of the full text may be requested from the same address listed above.