Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-14-13 - Falconry; facilities, equipment, care requirements, and inspections

(a) Each individual keeping raptors shall maintain the facilities in accordance with this regulation.

(1) "Primary facility" shall mean the principal place and structures where the raptor is normally provided care and housing. This term shall include indoor facilities and outdoor facilities.

(2) "Temporary facility" shall mean a place and structure where a raptor is kept during the raptor's time away from the primary facility, including during transportation and while hunting or attending an event. This term shall include a place and structure where a raptor is kept for a limited time period while the primary facility is not available.

(b) All primary facilities used to house and keep raptors shall be inspected and approved by the department before the issuance of a Kansas falconry permit. Thereafter, all primary facilities used to house and keep raptors shall be inspected and approved whenever a change in the location of the primary facility occurs. All primary facilities shall meet the following standards:

(1) All indoor areas of the primary facility, which are also known as "mews," and all outdoor areas of the primary facility, which are also known as "weathering areas," shall protect raptors from the environment, predators, and domestic animals.

(2) The indoor area of the primary facility shall have a perch for each raptor and at least one opening for sun-light.

(3) Two or more raptors may be housed together and un-tethered if the birds are compatible with each other. Each raptor shall have an area large enough to allow the raptor to fly if it is untethered or, if tethered, to fully extend its wings to bate or attempt to fly while tethered without damaging its feathers or contacting other raptors.

(4) Each raptor shall have a pan of clean water available.

(5) Each indoor area of the primary facility shall be large enough to allow easy access for the care and feeding of the raptors kept there.

(6) Each indoor area of the primary facility housing untethered raptors shall have either solid walls or walls made with vertical bars spaced narrower than the width of the body of the smallest raptor being housed, heavy-duty netting, or other similar materials covering the walls and roof of the facility. All windows shall be protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced at intervals narrower than the width of the raptor's body.

(7) The floor of the indoor area of the primary facility shall consist of material that is easily cleaned and well drained.

(8) Each indoor area of the primary facility shall include shelf-perch enclosures where raptors are tethered side by side. Other housing systems shall be acceptable if they afford the enclosed raptors with protection and maintain healthy feathers.

(9) A falconry raptor, or raptors, may be kept inside the permittee's residence if a suitable perch, or perches, are provided. Windows and other openings in the residence structure shall not be required to be modified. All raptors kept in the residence shall be tethered when the raptors are not being moved into or out of the location where they are kept.

(10) Each outdoor area of the primary facility shall be totally enclosed and shall be made of heavy-gauge wire, heavy-duty plastic mesh, slats, pipe, wood, or other suitable material.

(11) Each outdoor area of the primary facility shall be covered and have at least a covered perch to protect a raptor held in the facility from predators and weather. Each outdoor area of the primary facility shall be large enough to ensure that all the raptors held inside cannot strike the enclosure when flying from the perch.

(12) Any new design of primary facility may be used if the primary facility meets the requirements of this subsection.

(c) Falconry raptors may be kept outside, including in a weathering yard at a falconry meet, if the raptors are under watch by the permittee or a designated individual.

(d) The permittee may transport any permitted raptor if the bird is provided with a suitable perch and is protected from extreme temperatures, wind, and excessive disturbance. A giant hood or similar container may be used for transporting the bird or for housing it while away from the primary facility.

(e) The permittee shall inform the department of any change of location of the primary facility within five business days of the move to the new location.

(f) The property where the primary facility is located may be owned by the permittee or another person and may be at the residence of the permittee or at a different location.

The permittee shall submit to the department a signed and dated statement showing that the permittee agrees that the primary facility, equipment, all falconry-related facilities, equipment, records, and raptors may be inspected without advance notice by department authorities at any reasonable time on any day of the week if the inspections are in the presence of the permittee. If the property is not owned by the permittee, the actual property owner shall also sign the statement acknowledging the inspection allowance.

(g) The permittee shall provide and maintain the following equipment during the term of the permit:

(1) At least one pair of Aylmeri jesses, or jesses of a similar type, constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or a suitable synthetic material. The jesses shall be used when any raptor is flown free. Traditional one-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being flown;

(2) at least one flexible, weather-resistant leash and one strong swivel of acceptable falconry design;

(3) at least one suitable bath container for each raptor. Each container shall be at least two to six inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor; and

(4) a reliable scale or balance that is suitable for weighing the raptors and is graduated to increments of not more than Vi ounce (15 grams).

(h) A permittee may house a raptor in temporary facilities for no more than 120 consecutive days if the bird is provided with a suitable perch and protection from predators, domestic animals, extreme temperatures, wind, and excessive disturbance.

(i) A permittee may allow a raptor to be temporarily cared for and possessed by another falconry permittee in accordance with the following requirements:

(1) The raptor shall be kept at the permittee's primary facility or at the permitted primary facility of the other permittee.

(2) The raptor shall be cared for by the other permittee for no more than 120 consecutive days, unless the department provides a written extension of time for extenuating circumstances that may include illness, military service, or a family emergency. Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the secretary on a case-by-case basis.

(3) The permittee shall provide the other permittee with a signed, dated statement authorizing the temporary possession. The statement shall include information specifying the time period during which the temporary care and possession are allowed and what activity is allowed. The permittee providing the temporary care may fly the raptor as authorized in the statement, including hunting, if the permittee providing the temporary care holds the appropriate level of falconry permit. The raptors being provided temporary care shall not count against the possession limit of the permittee providing the care.

(4) The permittee shall provide a copy of the United States fish and wildlife service form 3-186A showing that permittee as the possessor of the raptor to the other permittee providing the temporary care.

(j) Any permittee may allow a raptor to be temporarily cared for by an individual who does not possess a falconry permit in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) The raptor shall not be removed from the permittee's facility during the time of temporary care. The person caring for the raptor shall not fly the raptor for any reason.

(2) The raptor may be cared for by another person for no more than 45 consecutive days, unless the department provides a written extension of time for extenuating circumstances that may include illness, military service, or a family emergency. Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the secretary on a case-by-case basis.

(3) The raptor shall remain on the permittee's falconry permit.

(k) Falconry raptors may be trained or conditioned in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) Equipment or techniques acceptable for falconry practices including or similar to any of the following may be used:

(A) Tethered flying, which is also known as flying with a creance;

(B) lures made from animal parts;

(C) balloons;

(D) kites; or

(E) remote-control airplanes.

(2) The following species of live wildlife may be used:

(A) Rock dove or domestic pigeon;

(B) European starling;

(C) house sparrow;

(D) Hungarian partridge;

(E) Chukar partridge; and

(F) any small game, as defined by K.S.A. 32-701 and amendments thereto, during the established hunting seasons for the small game.

(l) All facilities and equipment shall be properly maintained and cleaned during the term of the permit.

(m) Mistreatment of any raptor shall be grounds for revocation of the falconer's permit and for confiscation of any raptors in possession of the falconer. "Mistreatment" shall be defined as any of the following:

(1) Having physical custody of a raptor and failing to provide food, potable water, protection from the elements, opportunity for exercise, and other care as is needed for the health and well-being of the raptor;

(2) abandoning or leaving any raptor in any place without making provisions for its proper care; or

(3) failing to meet the requirements of this regulation.

This regulation shall be effective on and after December 31, 2020.

Notes

Kan. Admin. Regs. § 115-14-13

Authorized by and implementing K.S.A. 2019 Supp. 32-807; effective Dec. 31, 2012; amended by Kansas Register Volume 39, No. 41; effective 12/31/2020.