Falconry

[shaneman153D]

Well this AM I am finally going out with my buddy and his peregrine hybrid I am so damn excited!  Been trying to go for a month but the damn schedules just wouldn't line up!  This is the last weekend of the season, I'll take lots of pics!

Shane

[saylean]

Should be a great experience. I was very interested in Falconry as a child and had hopes of one day getting into it. Birds of prey are awesome creatures. Cant wait to see the pics.

[hirshey]

Should be a great experience. I was very interested in Falconry as a child and had hopes of one day getting into it. Birds of prey are awesome creatures. Cant wait to see the pics.

::

Agreed. I'd still like to get into it someday. Its a big dedication of time and resources.. but would be very cool.
Looking forward to seeing the photos!

[shaneman153D]

Well didn't have any luck taking game, but it was a really cool day anyhow.  My friend invited another guy who brought 3 more birds and we spent the day walking the stubblefield looking for Hungarian Partridge.  When we couldn't find any and the dogs got tired, they took the birds one by one and released "chuckers" or pigeons.  I got a few pictures and a LOT of video, but they didn't want me to post most of it, because I guess that practice is frowned upon.

+1 Hirshey, I would really like to get into it, but it's more of a lifestyle than a hobby or sport.  If I wasn't contemplating a move to OR, I would probably do it.  But that can get tricky, as each state has their quirks.

Shane

[turkey slayer]

It's very cool to watch. There is a guy out of Weantchee that trains up here in the wheat feilds. He trains 3 to 4 at a time.

[fishermanjoe]

This might be a dumb question, how do you get one of those birds, its not like you can swing by the pet store and pick up a falcon.

Very cool pics!

[carpsniperg2]

wow great pics great birds really is somthing cool but allot of work also

[hirshey]

This might be a dumb question, how do you get one of those birds, its not like you can swing by the pet store and pick up a falcon.

Very cool pics!

When I looked into it, I talked to my mother about one of her friends who is big into falconry back on Colorado. The procedure she had to go through years prior was first she was required obtain a sponsor... and take care of a bird (generally injured or something to ensure you can manage their weight) and after completion of all the certifying procedures she was allowed to get a falcon from the nest. It was a long time ago that she certified and perhaps it has changed.. but I know my mother recalls quite well climbing a tree to look into a redtailed hawk's nest for her friend. They were too young so she didn't take one... and although she was worried about what the adult pair would do I know she really enjoyed seeing those birds up close and personal.

Any more recent falconer's insight on how you obtain a bird? This is perhaps far outdated.

[shaneman153D]

Yeah rules are a little different here in WA.  If you are an apprentice Falconer, you have to capture one, and it can only be a Red Tail or a Kestrel.  The trapping season runs something like Sept 1 - Jan 15 or something like that.  You can't use any traps that only trap a portion of the bird (no nooses, this is the most common) and you can't get them out of a nest.  You are supposed to set a net and drop it on them, but they're no dummies.

If you are a General falconer (years 2-5) or Master (5+) you can buy them.  There are breeders that specialize in artificially inseminating hawks and making Hybrids.  Both of the birds pictured above are hybrids that were bought locally.

Shane

[fishermanjoe]

I would imagine the wild birds that you catch with a net (which would be funny to watch) would be harder to train. I guess I have a lot to learn about this sport. I have no intentions of getting into it, its just really cool.

[Rudy]

friend of mine had a female red tail.  he took his tests and gt his sponsor and was then an apprentice, then was able to go out and trap the bird.  really cool to watch her work the fields and take out rabbits.