Rule 391-4-10-.07. Exceptions

1. (1) Permits. The Department may issue permits for the collection, transportation, and/or possession of protected plant and animal species. Such permits do not alleviate the responsibility to acquire specific federal permits, if required.

2. (2) Protected Crayfish Species. The collection of state protected crayfish species (those species included in 391-4-10-.09) while collecting fishing bait is authorized without permit under the following conditions:

   1. (a) State protected crayfish species may not be collected from crayfish burrows (i.e., "crayfish chimneys") in any manner, including burrow excavation or setting traps or other devices within, on or near the entrance to the burrow.
   2. (b) State protected crayfish species may not be exported from the state of Georgia.

3. (3) Peregrine Falcon Take for Falconry Purposes. The Department may issue up to five (5) annual permits for the trapping and possession of wild peregrine falcons for falconry purposes in accordance with the framework established by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and as may be appropriate based on sound wildlife management principles. Trapping is allowed only during September 20 through October 20 and only within Chatham, Bryan, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties. Only wild peregrines trapped during their first year (passage birds) may be kept. Permits are issued based upon a random drawing of qualified applicants. Preference is given to Georgia residents such that most permits are issued to qualified resident applicants.

   1. (a) To qualify, an applicant shall be a licensed Master Falconer, or a licensed General Falconer with at least 5 years of licensed falconry experience.
   2. (b) When trapping or attempting to trap a peregrine falcon, a person shall have on their person a current peregrine falcon take permit from the Department, a valid Georgia hunting license, and a valid falconry license.
   3. (c) A peregrine falcon take permit does not authorize any person possessing said permit to commit any act inconsistent with O.C.G.A. 27-2-17.
   4. (d) Said permit may be revoked in accordance with the provisions of the Game and Fish Code.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 12-6-172, 27-3-132.

History. Original Rule entitled "Exceptions" adopted. F. Dec. 22, 1980; eff. Jan. 11, 1981.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 26, 2006; eff. Nov. 15, 2006.

Amended: F. Oct. 22, 2009; eff. Nov. 11, 2009.

Amended: F. June 8, 2021; eff. June 28, 2021.