You’ve been dreaming of the day you could take a majestic falcon out into nature, watch it soar through the vast skies, or dart from tree to tree in search of prey. While becoming a licensed falconer is no easy task, the reward of having your very own feathered friend on its next flight is more than worth it.
But before you can even start considering getting your falconry license and joining this ancient craft, you need to understand what requirements have to be met first. In this blog post we’ll cover everything that’s needed for obtaining a permit in most countries so that aspiring falconers know exactly what they’ll be up against – but don’t worry: as long as you’re willing to put in some hard work it’ll pay off!
What is falconry a type?
Falconry is an ancient sport that dates back to at least the 4th century. It consists of personal training and hunting with a bird of prey, typically a hawk or a falcon. The practice was once used in much of Europe and Asia for hunting small game.
Today, falconry is often done by hobbyists as a form of recreation and entertainment, the falconer taking their bird on hunts, with baits often set up and kept in place to entice their bird into performing maneuvers such as dives and stoops. Many cities around the world have also started using specially trained birds of prey to help control urban pest populations, such as rats and pigeons.
How old do you need to be to have a Falconer’s license in CA?
If you’re a falconer living in California, you’ll be glad to know that the state only requires one to be 14 years of age or older to obtain a Falconer’s license. However, this isn’t the only criterion one must meet to obtain the license.
An applicant must also have at least two years of experience with possessing and caring for raptors overall and must document at least one year of mentoring with a licensed falconer or educational institution. It’s no easy task trying to obtain a Falconer’s license in California, but it’s worth it if your goal is taming a hawk!
How do I get my falconry license in California?
Getting a falconry license in California is a relatively straightforward process. It requires proof of necessary skills, knowledge, and equipment. You’ll need to pass an examination, provide three references from licensed falconers, demonstrate you have access to appropriate facilities, and prove that the birds you’ll use are legal.
After applying with the state, inspections take place of those facilities to make sure they’re suitable for housing birds. Once approved, the requirement is that you must house and care for your birds year-round with regular visits from a state-permitted veterinarian being mandatory when needed. With perseverance and dedication, getting a falconry license in California can lead to amazing up-close experiences with some truly majestic creatures!
Is falconry illegal in the US?
For many, the image of a falcon or hawk swooping down to attack its prey might conjure up images of romantic medieval hunts. In reality, however, this practice is still alive and well in modern-day America. Although ownership and use of raptors for hunting have been illegal since 1972, falconry remains an important part of some cultures in the states.
Many states have created laws and regulations to allow Practicing falconers to own, maintain, and breed raptors that they take into the field to hunt with properly trained hawks, falcons, and occasionally even eagles. It’s incredibly difficult -but worth it if you can commit or get invited to join with someone already involved in falconry- as it keeps very strong connections with cultural heritage going!
How long does it take to learn falconry?
Becoming an expert falconer requires a great deal of dedication, as the process can take anywhere from a few years to a lifetime of experience. Taking on the challenge of learning and passionately engaging in falconry is no small feat or goal—becoming proficient requires one to develop knowledge across multiple disciplines, from biology and ornithology to basic engineering and woodworking.
With patience and plenty of practice, though, it is possible to produce tangible results—you might just find yourself training your hawk within a couple of years.
Do you need a sponsor for falconry?
If you want to explore the ancient practice of falconry and take it up as a hobby, you will most likely need a sponsor. Sponsors have generally experienced falconers who have acquired enough skill and understanding about the sport to guide a less-experienced trainee throughout their path of learning – from their first baby steps in finding an appropriate hawk or falcon to capture and training it for the activity.
You can indeed learn some of these skills online through research or reading books, but having an experienced person there to help and advise you in person will be invaluable. So if your sights are set on becoming a serious falconer, look around for suitable sponsors so they can help you hone your craft!
Do falconers get paid?
Falconry is a rare and unique sport that dates back to the 4th century. It requires patience, skill, knowledge of animal behavior, and basic husbandry skills. So it may surprise you to learn that falconers usually don’t get paid for their services; this is because people pay them in other ways such as allowing them to hunt on their land or supplying the bird with food or medical care.
In some cases, people will even pay for lessons or help to prep for competitions! It’s a lifestyle choice that some individuals enjoy, but don’t count on making a living from it.
How hard is it to get into falconry?
Getting into falconry is not quite as hard as one might think—it just requires dedication and a willingness to learn. Before you can fly your bird, you must first obtain a permit and take an online course, which educates you on the basics of raptor care and regulations.
After that, finding a sponsor can be as daunting as it sounds! Having experienced guidance through this process is highly recommended, and luckily training centers are available in many places, from small towns to big cities. Once all the paperwork is taken care of and you have a suitable bird selected, the fun (and work!) starts. Falconry requires commitment—but it’s surely worth giving it a shot!
Is falconry expensive?
If you’re considering taking up falconry, you might be wondering how much it’s likely to cost. The truth is, it can be as expensive or inexpensive as you make it – from the materials needed to equip yourself and care for your raptor, to additional costs like licensing or training courses.
If there isn’t a local club offering advice, it may be worth investing in an experienced mentor who can provide tips and guidance on the basics of falconry. Of course, the biggest cost involved with any hobby is usually the time and dedication required, but if Falocony is something that truly piques your interest then you won’t mind spending the time and money making sure you do it right.
What certificate are birds of prey?
Birds of prey, also known as raptors, are some of the most impressive flyers in the animal kingdom; with their sharp talons and curved beaks, these birds can take on anything from small rodents to large deer. Certification for hunting raptors is a strict process; to even consider obtaining it one must fulfill several prerequisites including qualifying as an expert marksman and having gained considerable knowledge about the various species of raptors.
The most experienced hunters aspire to attain certification for birds of prey, requiring them to submit an application and demonstrate physical prowess during several rigorous tests that range from hunting with a falconry lure to exhibiting all-around sharpness accuracy when flicking napkins.
Conclusion
Ultimately, acquiring a falconry license requires dedication and persistence. You must be at least 14 years old, have a mentor and state-specific resources, understand all the regulations involved, and maintain the safety of you and your bird. In many ways, it is no small feat to become a successful falconer but with determination anything is possible.
There are organizations dedicated to helping those interested in taking on this challenge, so support and advice are widely available. Falconry provides people with a unique experience from gaining knowledge about birds of prey to spending time outdoors regularly. If you’re willing to tackle all the requirements of acquiring a license – research, license applications, and exams – you can achieve your goals and future aspirations as a skilled falconer.
