8 ILLINOIS s AUDUBON») BU Ee ie. 
How mamy falconers are there in Illinois? 
Licensed, about 175; unlicensed, unknown. 
How many birds can a falconer keep? 
An apprentice falconer may only have one; that one must be a 
Red-tailed Hawk; an experienced falconer may have two, but only 
of authorized species. 
What types of birds may be kept? 
An apprentice may only have a Red-tailed Hawk. Experienced fal- 
coners may keep any species except the following: Bald Eagle, 
Golden Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon (except those in possession 
prior to 1969), all owls except the Great Horned Owl, and all 
species listed as endangered by the U.S. Department of Interior 
(including similarly appearing species ). 
How may birds be obtained? 
1. By legal capturing of an immature of a non-prohibited species 
between | August and 31 December*; 
2. By legal importation*; 
* Birds may be captured or imported only by advance authorization 
from the Department of Conservation; such authorization is granted 
only when the applicant proves his need for an additional bird. No 
birds may be taken from nests; no adults can be taken; no birds can 
be bought, sold or bartered for. Bird banders cannot capture birds 
for either themselves or others. 
What 1s not authorized? 
1. Possession of any bird of prey without a falconry license; 
2. Possession of raptors for non-hunting purposes (pets, etc.); 
3. Possession of more than two birds (except in Department au- 
thorized breeding projects ); 
4. Possession of eagles, Ospreys, Peregrine Falcons (except as pre- 
viously stated), all owls except the Great Horned Owl, and all 
endangered species or similarly appearing species. 
Possession of unmarked birds (as soon as Federal law is enacted ); 
Taking birds from the nest or any adult birds; 
Taking any birds of prey between 1 January and 31 July; 
Capturing and/or importing any birds without advance author- 
ization from the Department of Conservation; 
9. Purchasing, selling or bartering of raptors; 7 
10. Hunting with raptors outside of the legal hunting season or 
without a hunting license; 7 
11. Capturing and/or importing more than one bird per year; 
2. Private possession of dead or mounted specimens. (Some excep- 
tions permissible when specimens are old). . 
Co NN 
To whom should violations be reported? 
To any Conservation Police Officer (one in every county) or to 
any Federal Game Agent. 
When should suspected violators be reported? 
Immediately. 
