NR 18.12(11) (11) Exchange of raptors. No person may give or transfer a raptor to a holder of a Wisconsin permit unless the exchange is reported to the bureau by the permittee originally holding the raptor within 10 days of the gift or transfer. If a permittee transfers a raptor taken from the wild to another permittee in the same year in which it is captured, the bird shall count as one of the raptors allowed to be taken from the wild that year by the transferor. The transferred raptor will not count as a capture by the recipient, though it shall always be considered a wild bird.

NR 18.12(12) (12) Trapping of raptors.

NR 18.12(12)(a) (a) All live traps used in taking raptors shall be of a design to offer minimum harm to captured birds and shall be monitored by the permittee at all times.

NR 18.12(12)(b) (b) Each trap shall bear a legible label containing the name, address and state falconry permit number of the permittee or non-resident raptor training permit number.

NR 18.12(13) (13) Training of raptors. Persons may not train raptors by using or killing game birds out of season; however, legally obtained captive-bred game birds may be used for this purpose. Game birds possessed by a permittee shall be treated in a humane manner and confined under sanitary conditions with proper care.

NR 18.12(14) (14) Captive reared raptors. A raptor hatched and reared in captivity, and banded with a seamless metal band provided by the fish and wildlife service, may be used for falconry. The raptor may also have an implanted ISO-compliant (134.2 kHz) microchip.

NR 18.12(15) (15) Capture and possession of golden eagles. A master falconer may capture a golden eagle as allowed under 50 CFR part 22.

NR 18.12 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. and recr. (8), Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; cr. (11), Register, August, 1982, No. 320, eff. 9-1-82; emerg. cr. (12), eff. 9-15-89; cr. (12), Register, March, 1990, No. 411, eff. 4-1-90; r. and recr. Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 12-1-98; CR 13-005: am. (2) (a), (c), (d), (f), (3) (a) to (c), cr. (3) (d), am. (4) (a) to (d), cr. (4) (e), r. and recr. (7), cr. (7m), r. and recr. (8), am. (9) to (11), (12) (b), (13), (14), cr. (15) Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13; CR 23-025: am. (14) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24.

NR 18.13 NR 18.13 Temporary care.

NR 18.13(1) (1) Care of falconry raptors by another falconry permittee. Another falconry permittee may care for a raptor or raptors at their facilities or at the original permittee’s facilities for up to 120 consecutive days if the bird has a suitable perch and is protected from predators, domestic animals, extreme temperatures, wind, and excessive disturbance. The person providing care shall have a signed and dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession, and a copy of the FWS 3-186A form that shows the possession of each of the raptors. The statement shall include information about the time period for which the raptor may be kept and activities authorized by the original permittee. A copy of the statement shall be sent to the bureau within 10 days of the possession of a raptor. In all such care situations all of the following shall apply:

NR 18.13(1)(a) (a) A permittee’s raptor shall remain on the permittee’s falconry permit, and will not be counted against the possession limit of the person caring for another permittee’s raptor.

NR 18.13(1)(b) (b) If the person caring for a raptor holds the appropriate level falconry permit, the person may fly the raptor as authorized by the permittee, including for hunting purposes.

NR 18.13(1)(c) (c) The care of a raptor may be extended indefinitely by the department in extenuating circumstances, such as illness, military service, or for a family emergency.

NR 18.13(1m) (1m) Care of falconry raptors by a non-permittee. Another person may care for falconry birds at the permittee’s facilities for up to 45 consecutive calendar days, provided that:

NR 18.13(1m)(a) (a) The raptor or raptors shall remain on the permittee’s falconry permit.

NR 18.13(1m)(b) (b) The raptor or raptors shall remain in the permittee’s facilities.

NR 18.13(1m)(c) (c) The person providing care for a raptor or raptors under this subsection may not fly the raptor or raptors for any purpose.

NR 18.13(2) (2) Care of falconry raptors by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Diseased or injured raptors may be transported to the nearest, qualified rehabilitation facility. A report of the event including the diagnosis by the facility shall be filed with the department’s bureau of endangered resources within 5 days of the occurrence.

NR 18.13 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; am. (1) (b) 1. and (2), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 12-1-98; CR 13-005: r. and recr. (1), cr. (1m), (2) (title) Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13.

NR 18.14 NR 18.14 Transportation.

NR 18.14(1) (1) Temporary holding. A raptor may be transported or held in temporary facilities for a period not to exceed 120 days. Such facilities shall provide an adequate perch and protection from extreme temperatures and excessive disturbance.

NR 18.14(2) (2) Out-of-state use. A resident permittee may transport raptors possessed as authorized under this chapter to another state for meets, trials, hunting, and other falconry activities provided the permittee obtains all permits or licenses required by the other state.

NR 18.14(3) (3) In-state use. Except for species listed in s. NR 27.03, nonresidents may possess and transport raptors authorized by permit by their state of residency into Wisconsin without additional license.

NR 18.14 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. and recr. Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; cr. (3), Register, August, 1982, No. 320, eff. 9-1-82; am. (2) and (3), Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 12-1-98; CR 13-005: am. (1), (2) Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13.

NR 18.15 NR 18.15 Release of marked raptors.

NR 18.15(1) (1) Release to the wild. A falconry permit holder shall obtain written authorization from the bureau before a raptor of any species not indigenous to Wisconsin is intentionally released to the wild in Wisconsin, at which time the band from the bird shall be removed. The band from an intentionally released wild raptor that is indigenous to Wisconsin shall also be removed. A seamless band on a captive-reared raptor shall remain on the bird if it is released. A standard federal band shall be attached to the birds by a state or USFWS-authorized federal bird-bander whenever possible.

NR 18.15(2) (2) Hybrids. Hybrid raptors shall be imprinted on humans or be surgically sterilized if they are to be used in falconry. When flown, a hybrid shall have two attached radio telemetry transmitters that may allow the permittee to locate the bird if the permittee needs to do so. Permanent release of hybrids to the wild is prohibited.

NR 18.15(3) (3) Hacking. Hacking as defined in s. NR 18.01 (7), shall be permitted. All hybrid raptors shall have two attached functioning radio telemetry transmitters during hacking.

NR 18.15 History History: Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; am. Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 13-005: renum. 18.15 to (1) and am., cr. (2), (3) Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13.