New to falconry (new mexico)

[E_rock]

Hi I am new to falconry and I need to get an apprenticeship with someone so I can get my falconry licence .

Thanks,
Erock

[Dirthawking]

How about telling all of us a little about yourself and how you became interested. Also rule number one on the forum is for all members to sign their posts with their real first name.

[AK Rev]

Under the old regs, the New Mexico trapping season is over in about a week. I can't recall what the new regs say about trapping. You will not be able to trap anyway until you pass your exam, get a sponsor, build your facilities and pass your inspection. What have you done so far?

I suggest you get out with some falconers as most of us are still hunting. That's the best way to get to know us and see what's going on. Have you been out with anyone yet? Most sponsors will require you to get a red tail first. There is a local falconer who is in his 2nd year of apprenticeship and his RT is doing well. That might be a good bird to get out and observe.

[Keith Denman]

Welcome aboard, there are a few New Mexico falconers on here. Look up the state club and the state fish and wildlife to get info on it there. Good Luck.

[E_rock]

Sorry Im Erick and I became interested in falconry after running into a local falconer while I was out on a run I talked to him for while and watched his hawk fly around, he directed me to http://www.themodernapprentice.com/ so I read up and ive been looking for some one to kinda guide me.

-Erick

[AK Rev]

We don't have a state club webpage. All the falconry regs (except the new regs coming online) are at this link...

http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/apps_permit/index.htm

As a state club, we are not really organized as such...no dues, no formal meets, no real meetings except a picnic in the fall. Otherwise, guys get together informally.

Who was the falconer you met?

[E_rock]

I dont remember his name all I remember is he has a swainsons hawk

[AK Rev]

Don't know who that was as none of the falconers are hunting with a Swainson's. There are 3 falconers from Rio Rancho if I'm remembering right. I'm not aware of anyone rehabbing one right now either and most of the rehabbers are not falconers anyway. Was probably something else. Locally the falconers are hunting a couple of red tails, a ferruginous, some Harris' hawks and goshawks and the rest are falcons.

[E_rock]

Then I must be mistaken . I also believe he said hes had multiple birds and I think he said he moved here from alaska or some place up north

[AK Rev]

That's even more strange...you are describing me but we haven't met.

[E_rock]

Youv'e never met some one out in the desert

[AK Rev]

Oh...well, sure but not recently, which is what I thought you meant. Are you in high school and you were running with another guy and girl behind Northern Meadows off of King St? This was a couple of months ago probably. If that was you, I had this bird with me and he was chasing a jack rabbit...it's a Harris' hawk.

[E_rock]

Yes yes and yes . Sorry I had to do a research paper on the swainsons hawk recently so it was the first name that came to mind

-Erick

[AK Rev]

Well, welcome to NAFEX. Click on the link below my name and do some reading there. The Modern Apprentice I recommended to you is a fantastic resource. After that, almost all of your questions can be answered by doing archive searches here.

Feel free to PM me if you have other questions. I do recommend you get out with some falconers...myself or others are close by. Your parents will need to be involved also as there will be considerable expenses, facilities to build at your house, etc...but that's getting ahead of where you are at. Go out with some guys and see if you like it. It's a lot of work all year and to be blunt, falconry is hunting...not show and tell or pet keeping.

[E_rock]

Ok sounds good.

[frootdog]

That's even more strange...you are describing me but we haven't met.

Now that's a senior moment even Rich would be proud of!

[Joan Marie]

Awesomeness! Welcome! I ,too, am a pre apprentice. The Mojo has brought you to the Source Carry on!

Still grinning at the progression of posts here.

Hawkless but hopeful,

Joan Marie

[Lowachi]

Now that's a senior moment even Rich would be proud of!

BITE ME!

[AK Rev]

Hey, I think it's cool he actually looked up the stuff I told him about and ended up here. How many times have we met people in the field, they asked questions, we answered with some detail and attention and nothing more comes of it? That's the usual course of events.

Nice start Erick. If you want to come hawking with the 3 local falconers (an apprentice, a general, and a master falconer)...you have an invite for this Sat. You would see a wide variety of falconry...a gyr/saker hybrid falcon, a ferruginous hawk, and a RT. All 3 are proven on game and you would also see some coursing dogs working with all 3. There's not another invite like that in the country.

[AK Rev]

Forgot to say...the RT needs imping (that is when you replace damaged feathers) so that would be a good thing to observe. Maintenance and health issues are a big part of falconry.

[tumble]

Hi Bryan, can I come too?

[FredFogg]

Hi Bryan, can I come too?

Wow, what an invite! Me too! Tom and I will be coming out on his private jet! LOL

[AK Rev]

Fresh Maine lobster means you are always welcome! Would love to see some of your East Coast hawking sometime.

[Joan Marie]

Nice start Erick. If you want to come hawking with the 3 local falconers (an apprentice, a general, and a master falconer)...you have an invite for this Sat. You would see a wide variety of falconry...a gyr/saker hybrid falcon, a ferruginous hawk, and a RT. All 3 are proven on game and you would also see some coursing dogs working with all 3. There's not another invite like that in the country.

Can I come too? I'll bring a sling shot and some Gobstoppers. Oh wait, thats a regional thing...?

Dang. Just dang.

You're gonna love this ride Erick!