F.A.Q & LINKS

The site is private property and a home. Not for the public to visit.

There is a high insurance cost and legal contracts that come with a site that is open for public display and guests. It is much cheaper to offer the program fee to recoup those minor costs compared to that kind of a site facility.
No. 

They can be extremely dangerous if not handled properly. The feet and talons can grip with a strength up to 200lbs and not let go. They have tendons that almost seem to lock in place, so their prey does not get away.

These are apex predators and, though familiar with the ROUTINE of being transported and hunted with, they are not nice. They are not friendly and have a defensive nature against humans and other predator animals (like our pet dogs and cats). 

Though there are places overseas and other organizations that might allow this, but as the owner of this education program and a falconer responsible for these animals, I do not.
Falconry is a highly regulated Hunting Permit 
(because of the federally protected species that we use.)

The MANY LENGTHY steps to get permitted are definitely a commitment. The birds are federally protected so there is lots of paperwork. It is a "journeyman" type process:
Exam: Written/multiple choice test, administered in person by the South Dakota GFP Falconry Office.
Building Inspection: Housing for the bird--a Mews (the minimum enclosure size is 8'x8'x8'), to include equipment for use with the bird.
Sponsor agreement: MUST HAVE a SPONSOR! This is an ACTIVE PERMIT General or Master Level (it's not just your commitment; they are your mentor) who is only allowed two apprentices each year.
Apprenticeship: TWO full years--no substitutions-- (to include the hunting seasons with a bird) at the beginning of the issued permit date
Food: Hunts aren't always successful and may not always provide enough food for the bird. Therefore, food is required for training time--prey species for feeding is required. Grocery store meat is not an option.

50 CFR 21.82 is the federal regulations for Falconry permitted in the US. Each state can make things more strict or lenient as long as the FEDERAL laws are followed.

This is a very unique opportunity, and it is not for everyone, but that is not my decision. It's a personal commitment and takes a lot of patience, time and money.

This information is not meant to discourage! It is for awareness of the hunting sport you are interested in.

Contact a local county or regional Conservation Officer. (See ​below)

Most injured or sick raptors can be approached as if they are tame. If you can walk right up to them or even pick them up--which is NOT recommended because you could become a carrier of a contagious disease back to your own pets or other wildlife--they are NOT WELL.

You have 72hrs to turn over wildlife to a rescue/rehabilitation center.

On the EAST RIVER side there are multiple places in Sioux Falls, the Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown and Special Eagle rehabilitation in Pierre.

Contact a South Dakota GFP Conservation Officer for guidance.
AberdeenTim McCurdy (District Supervisor) | 605.380.4572
Jakob Heyd | 605.237.9878
Belle FourcheJacob Schwint | 605.391.6042
BrittonJack Baumert | 605.280.4738
BrookingsJeff Grendler | 605.360.0509
BuffaloAdam Fuest | 605.280.7482
CantonJosh VandenBosch (District CO Supervisor) | 605.940.0222
Tanner Pietz | 605.975.1482
ChamberlainDiana Landegent | 605.730.1578
Travis March | 605.730.1573
ClarkZach Thomsen | 605.881.2260
Clear LakeAdam Behnke | 605.881.3780
CusterRon Tietsort | 605.431.7048
Jenna Capper | 605.391.2132
Jim Ganser | 605.431.8099
Elk PointTony Stokley | 605.677.7814
FlandreauAndrew Stark | 605.222.0948
Fort PierreJohn Murphy (District CO Supervisor) | 605.730.1571
Dylan Peterson | 605.730.3774
Josh Carr (Regional CO Supervisor) | 605.730.1574
GettysburgKendyll DeRouchey | 605.730.1568
GregoryCheyanne Colton | 605.280.4741
HaytiLogan Hammer | 605.881.0018
Hill CityJeff Edwards | 605.381.9995
Hot SpringsD.J. Schroeder | 605.381.6438
Seth Lorton | 605.880.0009
IpswichEric Voigt | 605.380.4376
Joe Galbraith (District Supervisor) | 605.380.4563
KadokaJason Hamar | 605.891.5775
Lake PrestonChristopher Schiera | 605.370.0980
LemmonEdgar Meza | 605.415.6462
MadisonCody Symens | 605.480.3364
MilbankBlake Swanson | 605.881.3779
Jamie Pekelder (District Supervisor) | 605.881.3778
MillerJon Dunlap | 605.730.1570
Cory Flor (District Supervisor) | 605.680.0003
MitchellDylan Urban | 605.941.4552
MobridgePatrick Beffa | 605.845.6286
OlivetTaylor Etherington| 605.941.4735
OnidaTyler Krekelberg | 605.730.1384
PierreJason Hamil | 605.280.7619
PlankintonLynn Geuke | 605.220.6943
PlatteJeff Martin (District Supervisor) | 605.730.1575
Eric Brumbaugh | 605.295.1966
PreshoWyatt Weber | 605.222.4192
Rapid CityChris Dekker | 605.390.0923
Ross Fees | 605.381.3734
Adam Geigle (District Supervisor) | 605.390.1230
Jim McCormick (Regional CO Supervisor) | 605.381.9500
RedfieldShane Pedersen | 605.460.0450
SalemAlex Osborne | 605.220.1169
Matt Talbert (District CO Supervisor) | 605.360.0491
Sioux FallsCraig Fishel | 605.201.3001
Justin Harman | 605.530.7085
Jared Hill | 605.941.0181
Jeremy Rakowicz (District CO Supervisor) | 605.941.0074
Jeremy Roe (Regional CO Supervisor)|605.940.3519
SissetonAnna Sells | 605.881.3773
SpearfishJosh Thompson | 605.381.4704
Mike Apland (District Supervisor) | 605.391.1574
SturgisRyan Pearson | 605.391.0836
TyndallTaylor Kirchner | 605.360.0497
WallDerek Pelton | 605.220.9688
WatertownKyle Lenzner | 605.881.3777
Jackson Knight | 605.280.1545
Kraig Haase (Regional CO Supervisor) | 605.881.3774
WebsterAustin Norton | 605.881.2177
WinnerDillon Bates | 605.730.1576
YanktonDon Allaway | 605.350.1669