Aspiring Falconer from Tampa, Florida

Hello all!

I have been an aspiring falconer for three years now! I have the book knowledge but haven't been able to get any hands-on experience in the field due to disability. Things have improved enough to where I can pursue it, and I'm doing all in my power not to let my condition win.

I am located in the Tampa area, have emailed the FHF and FFA along with many other individuals with little luck. I would love to attend any hunts or meets I am welcome to, as I am very serious about this. After I get some experience with the raptors, I would begin my search for a sponsor.

If anybody is located within a two hour radius please let me know! PM me too if you would like to correspond over the phone.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing from fellow Florida falconers!:)
Vivian Abry

Hi Vivian,

I am a new apprentice myself so take whatever I say with a grain of salt. With that caveat out of the way, have you looked into volunteering at a rescue? Its not necessary by any means to become a falconer but if you are looking for hands on experience first, thats a great way to get it. Im on the other side of the country so I cant help much but I would take a look at the organizations in these links and just give them a call. Usually non profits are always happy to have extra help.

http://wildlife.rescueshelter.com/Florida
http://www.tampawildliferemoval.com/Rehabilitators.html

Hi Harold!

Thanks so much for your advice. I am always very interested in gaining experience with raptors, whether they be trained in falconry or not. I will definitely look into it!

Thank you :)

What are you trying to do? If you want to handle birds of prey and not necessarily hunt with them, then volunteering at a raptor rehab center could be worthwhile. If you are looking to hunt with birds of prey, your best bet would be to find falconers to go out with.

I am both a falconer and a rehabber, and from experience, rehab organizations have different ideas and techniques when working with raptors. You'll hear stories from one about the other, but you have to make a decision with what works for you.

The difficulty of getting training in one area and moving to another is the procedures and handling techniques could be very different between the two. Decide where you want your primary study to be and go that direction. If you want to hunt, look for falconers. If you want to rehab, volunteer.

There are plenty of Florida falconers on the forums, just give them some time to respond.

Hey Dan,

I am an aspiring falconer interested in hunting with a trained raptor. Thank you for your input. I'm doing my best to get in touch with my local falconers so that I can shadow a hunt or attend a meet :)

I'm no longer in FL but I would be happy to put you in touch with some folks in the Orlando area and possibly in Tampa as well.

To echo what others have said, getting involved with rehab can be great, but it is not the best way to find your way into falconry. Having been involved in both, I would highly recommend focusing on getting out hawking.

Hi Matt!

That would be wonderful if you could do that! If you'd like to PM me to discuss further, feel free!

Okay I will take that advice, thank you. Didn't know there was such a difference between the techniques used. :)

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Originally Posted by vivianabry

Hi Matt!

That would be wonderful if you could do that! If you'd like to PM me to discuss further, feel free!

Okay I will take that advice, thank you. Didn't know there was such a difference between the techniques used. :)

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IMO there shouldn't be in most cases, but there are. That's a discussion for another day I suppose.

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Originally Posted by tampamatt

IMO there shouldn't be in most cases, but there are. That's a discussion for another day I suppose.

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Yes ... hearing it twice from people with hands-on experience, I will stick with my pursuit of falconry. :)

Vivian - tried PMing you but it says you are set to not receive them.

I'll try to PM you :) I just joined this site today, so I'm still trying to figure it out LOL

OK Matt, I have enabled it :)

Matt, is there and falconers close to Tampa ???

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Originally Posted by broken feather

Matt, is there and falconers close to Tampa ???

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Define falconer! mooon

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Originally Posted by tampamatt

Define falconer! mooon

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Ouch!!!!!( fal-con-er) a person who keeps,trains,hunts with falcons,hawks or other birds of prey!confusedd

Welcome to nafex Vivian

Thanks KT :)

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Originally Posted by broken feather

Ouch!!!!!( fal-con-er) a person who keeps,trains,hunts with falcons,hawks or other birds of prey!confusedd

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I kid! I kid!

How's Pizza?

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Originally Posted by tampamatt

I kid! I kid!

How's Pizza?

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Matt,amennn He coming around!!!!with the drone he going up pretty good!! I have around a hundred good homers to finish him off!!peacee you have time for a bird??

Hi Vivian

Has anyone been able to help you find someone to go on a hunt with?

Hey there Chris,

yes, I attended a meet with the FHF and a couple of people have been kind enough to invite me :)

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Originally Posted by vivianabry

Hey there Chris,

yes, I attended a meet with the FHF and a couple of people have been kind enough to invite me :)

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That is great news. I am so happy you were able to meet up with some local falconers.

Keep us posted on your progress

Chris