Actually you were correct, you do need both state and federal authorization to possess any bird of prey. Snowy Owls, like most raptors in the U.S. are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty and can only be removed from the wild for personal use by someone who has a falconry license from a state who's falconry program has been certified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The process to become a licensed falconer is quite extensive and it usually takes more than a year just to reach the entry level that will allow you to possess certain raptors. Snowy Owls are an amazing bird that we think could adapt well to trained hunting situations, but not many have tried because they are so rarely seen in the lower 48 states. As a large, diurnal (daytime) hunter, a snowy owl could hunt a variety of game in a falconry situation with the proper training and care. The biggest problem is that by the time a falconer with the proper licensing and interest finds out about a migrating immature snowy owl in his or her area, there's usually already a large gathering of other people observing the bird and it wouldn't be appropriate to trap the bird and remove it from the public's view. However, if a young snowy owl or other type of raptor is removed from the wild by a falconer, it has a very good chance of returning to the wild within one or two years. Since the birds are flown free while huntin, they have many oppotrunities to release themselves and continue life as a wild (more experienced) bird.