Falconry is a dignified and exciting sport; you can’t practice it as a casual hobby. It involves hard work and time investment before you become an excellent falconer.
The best way is, to begin with, an easier-to-train bird before you get to the fast and agile ones. Additionally, you must have the requirements before getting started.
Ensure that falconry is legal in your locality, and most importantly, get ready to handle your birds. Then, stick on as we learn more about getting into falconry.
1. Study Falconry
If you are still trying to decide whether to continue with the falconry idea, books will help you make the right decision.
Videos, books, and experts will provide the correct information on beginning the process and the necessary commitment for a successful falconer.
You will find some of the recommended materials on the NAFA website. Additionally, you may engage with experienced falconers online for a profound explanation of the sport.
2. Consult With the Wildlife Agency
Before you start falconry, you must contact the wildlife agency and seek information about keeping falconry since the rules may differ from one area to the other. Here the agency will outline the requirements and give you the rules regarding the sport before you engage with it.
You can find the list of wildlife agencies in the US on the North American Falconers Association.
Some states require that you get an ordinary hunter’s permit and an educational course for hunting before you get to the ground.
3. Have Enough Time for Commitment
Becoming a falconer can be overwhelming, and you must be ready to spend more time with the birds and remember you are making a commitment that needs you for many years. Therefore, a falconer’s training process is quite long, with the apprenticeship going for at least two years.
It takes seven or more years to become a falconry expert, and your raptor needs constant care even on holidays, and you can spend up to five hours around the raptor.
4. Have Enough Resources for a Falconry
The requirements for falconry may vary from state to state and the type of bird you intend to keep. As a beginner, you should keep the budget low since you are responsible for the raptor’s daily needs.
The budget includes the raptor’s food, veterinary costs, shelter, required equipment, and license and permit fees.
5. Ensure you Can Access Enough Land
A falconer needs enough hunting land for the birds to practice the sport. With falconry, forget all urban and suburban land since they may pose more danger to the birds. Avoid land near power lines and roads and permit gun hunting which poses more threat to the raptor’s health.
If you start with falcons, you require open expanses for love hunting high while hawks and accipiters hunt in farms and smaller fields. You don’t have to own the land personally but ensure the owner permits you to use the land.
6. Contact a Falconry Organization.
After checking that you are ready to engage in falconry, reach out to the nearest falconry organization that will help you begin the process of becoming an apprentice. Falconry club affiliates will help you with the same. Remember, not all states have such clubs.
7. Look for a Sponsor
As a beginner, you require a sponsor during your apprenticeship period. A general or master falconer can serve as your sponsor. Note that the terms and conditions of sponsorship vary with every individual, and some will even ask to volunteer before you get the support.
Ensure you get a friendly sponsor you will enjoy spending most of your time with as they teach you how to expertise the new sport.
8. Take the Permit Test
Your local wildlife agency will administer an examination to test your knowledge of birds from health care, biology, and falconry laws.
When scheduling the examination, you need a fee that varies with every agency. In addition, some states will require you to get a sponsor before writing the exams, so ensure you check the requirements of your state agency.
9. Get the Bird
After passing your exam, you can get a bird when you have all the requirements and a cage.
Some sponsors will let you trap the first bird; in the US, an apprentice can only trap the American Kestrel or the Red-tailed hawk. However, Alaska allows apprentices to get Goshawks.
Submit your paperwork to show you met the requirements before capturing the bird, and ensure your bird has a tag.
Wrap Up
Starting falconry is fun and breathtaking, but you must meet your local wildlife agency’s requirements to become one. Ensure you are ready for the task before committing yourself to it. In addition, you should ensure you have a budget for your new friend.
A good sponsor at your apprentice level ensures you get the best about falconry before you proceed to the next level—all the best as you begin your journey.
