Two 2015 permits for the trapping of a peregrine falcon to be used in falconry has been awarded, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has announced.
Bradley County resident Doug Boucher and Greg Seaton of North Little Rock, Ark. are the winners of the Tennessee Peregrine Falcon Permit Draw. The drawing was held in Nashville in late August.
Only general or master class resident and non-resident falconers were eligible to participate in the drawing.
This year marks the first time an out-of-state resident has been a winner in the draw.
Peregrine falcons may only be taken under the authority of the drawn permit from counties located in the TWRA’s Region I (West Tennessee). This year was the fifth year that a permit will be issued in Tennessee. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded Tennessee its first permit allowing the trapping of one Peregrine falcon for the use in falconry in 2011.
The population of Peregrine falcons, through state and federal conservation efforts, has recovered enough since their near-extinction in the early 20th century to allow for a limited take of these birds for the use in falconry.