Signed by Governor Mike DeWine

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the use of owls for falconry.

Highlights:

• Defines "raptor" as a live migratory bird of the family Falconidae, of the family Strigidae, or of the family Accipitridae other than a bald eagle (Sec. 1.A).

• Authorizes the chief of the Division of Wildlife to allow the taking, possession, and transportation of raptors for use in the sport of falconry. The chief can do all of the following (Sec. 1.B):

• Notwithstanding any other rule governing the taking of quail, authorize a person engaged in the sport of falconry to permit the person's raptor to take quail;

• Authorize special falconry seasons;

• Authorize a person engaged in the sport of falconry to possess and to permit the person's raptor to take European starlings, English sparrows, and common pigeons, other than homing pigeons, at any time.

• Prohibits anyone from taking, possessing, or transporting a raptor for use in the sport of falconry or practicing falconry without a permit to do so issued by the chief. The duration of the permit must be consistent with applicable federal requirements. The chief can require a separate permit for the taking of raptors (Sec. 1.C).

• Requires every person, while engaged in falconry on the lands of another, to carry the permit issued with a valid hunting license for the current license year and to exhibit the permit and license to any law enforcement officer requesting to see them (Sec. 1.D).

• Prohibits any person from taking or disturbing for the purpose of falconry the nest of a wild raptor or any young raptor in the wild that is not yet capable of flight except in such situations, and under the direct supervision of a wildlife officer, where the nest otherwise would be destroyed or the raptor would not survive (Sec. 1.E).

Full Bill Text