Falconry in the US exists as an exclusion from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Both of these laws make it illegal to disrupt or possess native birds or their parts. Falconers successfully petitioned the government to let them take wild raptors from the wild as long as falconers themselves regulate the participants. If the falconers are not being respectful of the birds it would be incredibly easy to strip their privileges.

In the same sense RC flying is a privilege from the FAA after too many people flew drones into airports and HAM is a privilege from the FCC to keep people from jacking up the airwaves.

Well, the last guy they let have falcon killed a baby black bear & blamed it on a bicyclist…

I’m guessing they needed to sure up their ranks after that nonsense.