Unlike the United States, falconry is not federally regulated in Canada. Instead it is governed by the provincial authorities within the 10 provinces and 3 territories. Though superficially similar, the Canadian and United States governments do function differently. Both have federal governments and both have provincial (Canada) and state (United States) governments to handle local issues, however the balance of power is different. In Canada, the provinces handle provincial affairs with minimal influence from Ottawa, whereas in the United States, the states are limited to minor variations of Washington policy (states regulations can be more restrictive but never less restrictive than that of the federal government).  Falconry is one of those areas where the difference between the management is quite obvious.

British Columbia

There is no possession limits for hawks, the province has no apprenticeship program, and there is no extended falconry season; as it follows the gun hunter seasons. British Columbia allows wild harvest of Gyrfalcons, Merlins, kestrels, Cooper's Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, and Goshawks. Currently there is consideration for wild take on passage peregrines (Peales) but it requires First Nations consent before being allowed. However at time of writing no formal process is in place to address this.  There are no restrictions regarding non-indigenous species of hawks except for eagles and owls, which are not permitted.  Hybrids are permitted to be flown but are not required to follow any restrictions regarding imprinting or radio telemetry use when flown free.  

The Alberta Falconry Association adopted an apprenticeship scheme similar to the USA with Novices permitted one hawk - eithr a Red-tailed Hawk, a Kestrel or a Swainson's Hawk. Novices are expected to hunt and catch quarry with this hawk for a minimum of one year under the supervision of a sponsor. After this period the Novice is elegible to take a written exam administered by the AFA. Upon successful completion the Novice can be elevated to an Apprentice falconer providing his/her sponsor is satisfied with the Novice skills. An Apprentice falconer is permitted up to two raptors of any of the 12 regulated species within Alberta. This apprenticeship period lasts for two years and during this time the Apprentice is expected to broaden their experience of the sport. Following this period and providing he/she possesses the necessary skills the Apprentice falconer will be elevated to Regular status, allowing them any four hawks allowed under the Alberta regulations. A Regular falconer may sponsor a Novice. Non-native species, with the exception of the Harris Hawk are not permitted for use in falconry within Alberta.

To acquire the level of Master Falconer an individual must have at least seven years experience with hawks and falcons and be elected by their peers. A specific requirement of accepting this title is that the Master Falconer is required to supervise apprentices as necessary.

One unique aspect of falconry in Alberta is that the provincial government requires that anyone wishing to become a falconer first join the AFA first. Membership in the AFA is mandatory as the association is charged with self-regulating the sport within the regulations set in the Alberta Wildlife Act. Essentially the Alberta government wants to minimize their involvement in a subject they know little about.  The arrangement works well for both parties.  While seemingly autocratic when viewed from the outside, the Alberta policy results in the best interests of the hawk, the highest chances of success and enjoyment for the falconer—newcomer and experienced alike.  As a result, no “pet keeping” is permitted with raptors in Alberta. All trained hawks are flown and hunted to a high standard.

One of the internal requirements the club has of its members is to provide yearly records of what hawks an individual falconers possesses, what quarry was caught, and the time spent in the field each day out. Due to the privacy laws this is being revised slightly at the time of writing. The information collected over the past 20 years has presented a unique account of raptor consumption, quarry caught, and recreational value.  Aside from being interesting reading, it is a very useful tool in proving to authorities with the validation that falconry is low impact to both raptors and quarry while providing high recreational activity.

There are two types of falconry permits in Alberta: Recreational Falconer and Commercial Falconry Permit.  A regular falconer in possession of a recreational permit is allowed to posses up to 4 raptors, while a commercial permit (only given to regular or master falconer classes) allows for an unlimited number.   A falconer that holds a general or regular license for five years is eligible to apply for a commercial license and may be eligible to get a commercial if from out of  province with the appropriate (and documented) experience from within another jurisdiction.

Saskatchewan

Regulations pertaining to falconry in this province are related to the legitimacy of falconry rather than to the practice. (Policy governs falconry rather than enacted legislation.  Not totally correct.)  Falconry is permitted under the Captive Wildlife Regualtions (W13.1 Reg.13) as part of  the Wildlife Act.  These regulations define "falconry", "raptors" and legitimize the sport.  The policy is reviewed annually by way of a meeting between the two provincial clubs and wildlife officials.  The Policy under which we operate has not been enacted by parliament, but are guidelines under which the falconers and Game Dept operate.  Saskatchewan has an extended upland game bird hawking season that runs from August 15th through February 28th. (with Sunday hunting permitted out of gun season.  This is actually not true; No Sunday hunting permitted, period).  Duck season takes advantage of the full 107 days as regulated by MBTA.  Falconers are allowed a wild harvest which includes all raptors, with the exception of eagles and any other raptor deemed Endangered by the Province (eg. Ferruginous Hawks).. Exotics and hybrids are permitted but must be imprinted and flown with radio telemetry.

Saskatchewan Falconry Association (SFA) operates an apprenticeship program whereby the apprentice is allowed one raptor and is expected to hunt and catch wild quarry with it for one year.  The most appropriate species of hawk is determined by the apprentice and the supervisor who is a qualified Regular Member of the SFA.  After completion of apprenticeship, the falconer must be voted in as a Regular Member by a majority of the SFA members. (Falconers) Regular Members  are (allowed to harvest up) allowed to have in their possession up to a maximum of  two wild raptors. (from the wild each year.)  plus they are also allowed unlimited number of captive raised raptors.  These hawks cannot be sold or bartered but can be transferred between licensed falconers within their province (with written permission from the Game Dept.).

Manitoba

Manitoba’s falconry season runs from August 15th through February 28th.  Manitoba is the newest province to legalize falconry and as such is still in their early stages of development with very few falconers. It therefore does not have an apprenticeship program.  A recreational falconer is permitted up to two raptors and a licensed breeder is unrestricted.

While Manitoba has wild harvest, falconers are not permitted to own indigenous species that are on the endangered species list (i.e. peregrines), even if they are captive bred.  Falconers may keep exotics and hybrids and no regulations are imposed as to how these should be raised or flown.  Falconers are not allowed eagles.

Nunavut

 Nunavut is Canada’s newest territory and has not legalized falconry.  However, there is currently at least one NAFA member who is working with the newly formed government to legalize the sport.  This is being presented from a hereditary right standpoint.  Plans include wild harvest of gyrfalcons to be allowed at a cost of $2000 per permit.

Ontario

This province has and still is undergoing major changes in its regulations regarding falconry due to the new Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act (January 1st 1997). There are two categories of raptors that can be kept for falconry: raptors that are “native” to Ontario and “non-indigenous falconry raptors”.  There are no stipulations as to how hybrids or exotics are to be raised, imprinted, or flown with regards to telemetry.

In order to be a falconer an individual is required to fall into one of three categorized falconer levels.  This will allow the license holder to keep any of the 16 designated indigenous or 12 non-indigenous species in captivity which includes eagles and owls.  They are not currently permitted a wild harvest. All domestically bred raptors must be banded and records are required to be kept according to the ministry guidelines.  Each of the three levels of falconry licenses are required to be used in conjunction with a small game hunting license. The levels are as follows:

Apprentice Falconry License
An apprentice is required to spend a minimum of 30 hours instruction with an experienced falconer over a 15-month period covering two Octobers. They are permitted to keep one bird in a suitable mews and required to provide proper equipment.

General Class Falconry License
A general class falconer is permitted to possess up to three birds and will qualify once they have completed 2 year apprenticeship program having kept and flown a bird of prey for two full hunting seasons in a five year period.

Commercial Falconry License
To breed falconry birds you must have a commercial falconry permit that allows unlimited birds in possession.  To qualify you must have been licensed to keep birds for the past five years and bred birds for at least two years within that period.  If you come from another jurisdiction you must be able to provide proof of falconry or propagation experience.

The Ontario Hawking Club administers an apprenticeship program.  There are numerous falconry schools throughout the province that offer falconry courses and birds for sale to those interested in continuing in the sport.  Ontario’s falconry season starts Sept 1st through March 31st.

There are two types of permits in Quebec; Apprentice falconer and Regular Falconer.  The apprentice may keep one raptor and the regular falconer has no limit restrictions.  This does not allow hunting with their raptor but purely as a license to keep.  They are allowed to keep all buteo hawks, falcons, accipiters, and any exotics / hybrids.  There are currently no regulations pertaining the raising and management of exotics or hybrids except that they must wear radio telemetry when flown.

  There is no formal apprenticeship scheme in Quebec.  You do not need any experience to
  obtain a bird under the “apprentice permit” but in order to renew it one must prove that
  they have had at least 15 hours attendance on a falconry course or were trained by a
  regular falconer for that minimum time.  Once you exceed 30 hours instruction, you are
  able to apply for a regular falconers permit.

  The Association Quebecoise des Fauconniers et Autorsiers (AQFA) is currently working
  with their provincial government to obtain hunting regulations for their birds and expect
  some breakthrough by fall of 2006. Currently there is no hunting of wild game or even use
  of captive quarry with their birds They are not currently permitted wild take of indigenous
  raptors and will pursue other priorities such as hunting seasons before tackling this. 
  Currently in order to hunt with their birds several Quebec falconers make periodic trips
  over into Ontario to hawk..

Falconry is not regulated nor recognized as a legal field sport in most eastern provinces to date with exception to the province of Nova Scotia where their falconry regulations are restricted to 7 sentences and aside from some bird abatement work at airports the sport is practiced by at least one falconer.  Little interest perhaps fuelled by little knowledge about falconry is shown in the remaining eastern provinces.