X

Apprentice falconry, leashed tracking dog, wildlife rehabilitator licenses available to North Country residents

Posted 7/14/16

St. Lawrence County residents can apply for apprentice falconry, leashed tracking dog, wildlife rehabilitator licenses Exams for those seeking a falconry, wildlife rehabilitator or leashed tracking …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Apprentice falconry, leashed tracking dog, wildlife rehabilitator licenses available to North Country residents

Posted

St. Lawrence County residents can apply for apprentice falconry, leashed tracking dog, wildlife rehabilitator licenses

Exams for those seeking a falconry, wildlife rehabilitator or leashed tracking dog licenses are Aug. 12, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The exams will run from 10 a.m. to noon at most DEC Regional Offices across the state. There is one in Potsdam.

A list of DEC Regional Offices is at http://www.dec.ny.gov/about/50230.html.

The deadline for registering to take any of these free exams is Friday, July 22. Exam registration forms can be found at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/359.html.

Apprentice Falconry License

Falconry has a rich history and tradition throughout the world and requires a significant commitment in time and effort, according to DEC.

Apprentices are limited to possessing one bird, either an American kestrel or a red-tailed hawk.

A free falconry study guide and examination manual are available 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 percent 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

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.

DEC says they encourage prospective applicants 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 at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25027.html.

To qualify for the Wildlife Rehabilitation license, applicants must:

• score 80 percent or higher on the written exam

• be at least 16 years of age;

• submit two character references along with their application, 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 in aiding hunters in locating wounded big game that otherwise may have go unrecovered, according to DEC.

A leashed tracking dog study guide is available at no cost via DEC’s website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/25020.html.

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 which authorizes the hunting of big-game.

To apply for any of these exams, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/359.html and fill out an exam registration form.

People 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.