Section NR 18.07 - Inspection of facilities and equipment(1) INSPECTION. Upon receipt of an application for a resident falconry permit, the department shall, within 30 days, inspect the applicant's facilities and equipment and determine that the applicant complies with this section before a permit may be issued. Falconry birds, facilities, equipment, and records may be inspected by state or tribal officials only in the presence of the permittee during business hours on any day of the week.(2) FACILITIES; EQUIPMENT. The applicant shall provide and maintain the following facilities and equipment in accordance with the following standards to ensure the health and safety of the raptor or raptors: (a)Facilities. Raptor housing facilities whether indoors or outdoors shall be maintained in a clean state and protected from the environment, predators and undue disturbance and shall include either: Note: Indoor facilities are commonly known as mews and outdoor facilities are commonly known as weathering areas.
1. Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors housed in them. If more than one raptor is to be kept in a mew, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to allow the bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird's head, and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of a mew shall permit easy cleaning, be well drained, and have at least one perch.2. Outdoor facilities (weathering areas) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire, or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and from attack by predators. The enclosed weathering area shall be large enough to ensure the birds cannot strike the fence when flying from the perch. Protection from excessive sun, wind, and inclement weather, and at least one adequate perch shall be provided for each bird.3. A single facility meeting the requirements of both subds. 1. and 2. may be permitted. (b)Equipment. The following items shall be in the possession of the applicant before a permit can be obtained. 1. `Jesses.' A minimum of one pair of Aylmeri jesses or similar type constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown free. Traditional one-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being flown.2. `Leashes and swivels.' A minimum of one flexible, weather resistant leash and one strong swivel of acceptable falconry design.3. `Bath container.' A minimum of one suitable container, 2 to 6 inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor.4. `Outdoor perches.' A minimum of one weathering area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor.5. `Weighing device.' A reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptors held and graduated to increments of not more than 1/2-ounce (15 grams) shall be provided by the permittee.(c)Maintenance. All facilities and equipment shall be kept at or above the preceding standards at all times.Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 18.07
Cr. Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. and recr. (1), (2) (intro.) and (a) (intro.), am. (2) (a) 1. and 2., cr. (2) (a) 3., Register, December, 1997, No. 504, eff. 1-1-98; CR 13-005: am. (1), (2) (a) 1., 2., (b) 5. Register July 2013 No 691, eff. 8-1-13.