DEC announces falconry, wildlife rehabilitator & leashed tracking dog handler examinations

Online exams on April 14; registration deadline April 12

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced no-cost exams for individuals seeking a license to practice the sport of falconry, become a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed dogs to find wounded or injured big-game animals are scheduled for Friday, April 14. The exams will be offered exclusively online.

Interested New Yorkers can register for any of these exams at this link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6223470/Special-License-Exams-registration. Follow the directions provided on the webpage. Applicants will receive an email acknowledgment of registration and then, later, an additional one-time link that can be used to access the webpage on the date of the exam. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, April 12. The link to the registration webpage can also be found on each of the individual license webpages at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/359.html.

Apprentice Falconry License

DEC stated, “Falconry has a rich history and tradition throughout the world and requires a significant commitment of time and effort. Apprentices are limited to possessing one bird, either an American kestrel or a red-tailed hawk.”

A falconry study guide and examination manual are available from DEC at no cost at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/28632.html. The cost of a five-year falconry license is $40.

To qualify for the apprentice falconry license, applicants must:

• Score 80% or higher on the written exam;
• Be at least 14 years of age;
• Possess a valid New York state hunting license;
• Maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing falconry raptors; and
• Be a resident of New York state.

Wildlife Rehabilitator License

DEC stated, “Wildlife rehabilitators provide for the care of injured, sick and orphaned wild animals for the purpose of returning rehabilitated animals to the wild. Prospective applicants are encouraged to gain experience by serving as an assistant to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.”

A wildlife rehabilitator study guide and examination manual are available from DEC at no cost at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25027.html. There is no cost for the five-year wildlife rehabilitator license.

To qualify for the wildlife rehabilitator license, applicants must:

• Score 80% or higher on the written exam;
• Be at least 16 years of age;
• Be interviewed by DEC regional wildlife staff; and
• Be a resident of New York state.

Leashed Tracking Dog Handler

DEC said, “Leashed tracking dog handlers use their dogs to track and recover dead, wounded or injured big game. They provide a valuable service by helping hunters locate big game that otherwise may go unrecovered.”

DEC provides a leashed tracking dog study guide at no cost: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25020.html. There is a $50 license fee for the five-year leashed tracking dog license and a $25 non-refundable application fee.

To qualify for a leashed tracking dog handler license, applicants must:

• Score 80% or higher on the written exam; and
• Possess a valid New York state hunting license.

For questions or assistance, contact the special licenses unit at: NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-4752. Phone: 518-402-8985, fax: 518-402-8925 or email: [email protected].