DEC Announces Falconry, Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking Dog Examinations

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DEC Announces Falconry, Wildlife
Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking Dog Examinations

July 03, 2020 07:00 p.m.

Press Release from NYS DEC:

DEC Announces Falconry, Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Leashed Tracking

Dog Examinations

Registration Deadline July 24, for August Exams

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today

announced that exams for individuals seeking a license to practice falconry,

become a wildlife rehabilitator, or use leashed tracking dogs to find wounded or

injured big game animals are scheduled for Aug. 7 and Aug. 14, depending on

location. The deadline to register is July 24.

This year, following Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's NY Forward guidelines and in

order to maintain safe social distancing, DEC will be offering the exam from 10 a.

m. to noon and again from 2 p.m. to 4.pm. on Aug. 14, at most DEC Regional

Offices across the state.

Due to the anticipated number of exam registrants, DEC Region 1 (Long Island)

is holding the exams from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14. DEC Region 3

(New Paltz) is offering the exams on Aug. 7 and Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. to noon, and

2 to 4 p.m. both days. A

list of DEC Regional Offices

can be found on the DEC

website. Those interested in taking any of these free exams must register by the

June 24 deadline.

Exam registration forms can be found at DEC's website

Apprentice Falconry License

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 at no cost from DEC. The cost of a five-

year falconry license is $40.

To qualify for the Apprentice Falconry license, applicants must:

score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
be at least 14 years of age;
possess a valid New York State hunting license; and
maintain DEC-approved facilities for housing falconry raptors.

Wildlife Rehabilitator License

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 at no cost from DEC. There is no cost for the license, which

is good for five years.

To qualify for the Wildlife Rehabilitator License, applicants must:

score 80 percent or higher on the written exam;
be at least 16 years of age; and
be interviewed by DEC regional wildlife staff.

Leashed Tracking Dog Handler

Leashed tracking dog handlers use their dogs to track and recover dead,

wounded or injured big game. Leashed tracking dog handlers provide a valuable

service by aiding hunters in locating wounded big game that otherwise may go

unrecovered. A

leashed tracking dog study guide

is available at no cost from

DEC. There is a $50 license fee for the five-year license and a $25 non-

refundable application fee.

To qualify for a Leashed Tracking Dog Handler License, applicants must:

score 80 percent or higher on the written exam; and
possess a valid New York State hunting license.

To apply for any of these exams, visit the

NYSDEC Special Licenses Unit

webpage and fill out an exam registration form. You can mail, fax or email the

completed form to: NYS DEC Special Licenses Unit, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY,

12233-4752; Phone: 518-402-8985; Fax: 518-402-8925; Email:

SpecialLicenses@dec.ny.gov