Is it permitted to capture wild adult red-tailed hawks for falconry?

The regulation surrounding the capture of wild adult red-tailed hawks for falconry is strict, primarily to ensure the conservation and protection of wildlife populations. In many jurisdictions, including California, it is prohibited to capture wild adult raptors without special permits or under specific circumstances. This includes not being allowed to take healthy wild adults from their natural habitats, as it can disrupt local ecosystems and the breeding populations of these species.

This conservation focus is grounded in the understanding that raptors, like red-tailed hawks, play vital roles in their ecosystems as predators, and removing them can have unintended negative impacts. Regulations often allow for the capture of certain species only during specific times or conditions, such as for rehabilitation purposes or when the birds are injured. However, capturing healthy adult individuals generally does not align with responsible wildlife management practices. Thus, capturing a wild adult red-tailed hawk for falconry without special permissions is not permitted, leading to the confirmation that this option is accurate.