Legal Issues
Use of Owls for Falconry
Barn owls and any other owls of the order Strigiformes can be used by falconers for hunting under federal falconry regulations. Federal regulations state that any raptor can be used for falconry. They also state that a raptor is any "live migratory bird of the order Falconiformes and the order Strigiformes...". Some states may limit the use of owls for falconry to just the great horned owl. Check with your state game commission and state regulations (look under the definition of raptor). Generally only imprint owls can be trained for falconry.
Possession of Exotic Raptors
Most people are confused over the use and possession of exotic raptors. Federal regulations under 50 CFR 21 are written to control use of birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C 703-712), which controls the use of "migratory birds". A "migratory bird" by definition is any bird that appears on the migratory bird list 50 CFR 10.13 (see definitions 50 CFR 10.12). Since under 50 CFR 21.3 "'Raptor' means a live migratory bird...", any bird of prey not on the migratory bird list is not a raptor. These birds are usually referred to as exotic raptors and the federal government has no control of them once they are legally in this country and not an endangered species. For example, lanner falcons, saker falcons, eagleowls, bat falcons, etc. are not raptors under federal laws. No federal permits are needed if they are not on the endangered species list. Think of them as parakeetes.
States may control exotic raptors as with any other animal to protect the health and welfare of the people. While most states do not control the possession of exotic raptors, most control some of the uses of exotic raptors. For instance, a state may require an education permit to use a bird like a lanner falcon for educational or exhibitation purposes. Most states may require you to have a permit to use a lanner falcon or saker falcon for hunting. Usually the bird must be listed on a falconry permit by filling a 3-186A. There is no federal regulation to prevent an exotic to be listed on a falconry permit, but once an exotic is listed on the permit, you are required to meet mimimum falconry standards under 50 CFR 21.29 and apprentices may not list exotics on their falconry permits. Contact your state wildlife agency for your states position on exotic raptors.