OAR 635-055-0036: Golden Eagle

(1) Consistent with the National Flyway Council’s Golden Eagle Allocation Procedure , the Department shall authorize qualified Master falconers to be considered in the annual allocation procedure to obtain and possess a golden eagle for the purposes of falconry, pursuant to 50 CFR §21.3, §21.29 and §22 (1-22). (2) A Master falconer wishing to obtain authorization from the Department to possess a golden eagle must provide the Department with the following: (a) A written statement, dated and signed, documenting and describing the applicant’s relevant experience in handling large raptors, including information about the species handled and the type and duration of activities in which the experience was obtained. (b) At least two letters of reference from people skilled in handling or flying large raptors such as golden eagles, ferruginous hawks, northern goshawks or great horned owls who can attest to the applicant’s experiences with such species. References must contain a concise history of the applicant’s experience with large raptors, which can include but is not limited to, handling of raptors held by zoos, rehabilitating large raptors, or scientific studies involving large raptors; and the applicant’s ability to care for the species used in falconry. (c) Master class falconers applying for possession of a golden eagle must provide evidence that they have, or will have, an adequate facility to house a golden eagle in the long-term and be consistent with OAR 635-044-0500 as it applies to falconry. The Department considers the minimum housing needs to include an outside mews with a sheltered area w ith adequate space for exercise necessary for the health of the animal such as allowing an eagle to move freely between perches and meet standards used for large raptors. A minimum facility size should measure at least 10’ x 10’ x 10’. (3) The falconry license of qualified Master class falconers will indicate the validation to obtain and possess a golden eagle. Ma ster class falconers authorized to hold golden eagles prior to this rule revision are qualified to be considered in the annual allocation procedure. (4) The Department may deny a request for a Master falconer to possess a golden eagle if the applicant has less than the equivalent of two years of experience handling large raptors, or at the Department’s discretion, the Department determines that based on a letter of recommendation or inadequate facility plans, the applicant is not capable of caring for a golden eagle. (5) Authorized Master falconers may not transfer a golden eagle to another Master class falconer unless previously approved in writing by the Department. No person shall release or hack a golden eagle acquired through this allocation process into the wild.