Hello from Southern California

[Catharsis]

Well, I'll keep this short.

I'm 22 yrs old, going to college at Cal Poly Pomona (Pomona, California). I did not become interested in falconry after reading Harry Potter (I have never read a single page of the series). Rather, it was a book that I read when I was 10 yrs old about a boy who left home to survive in the wild, and he had a peregrine falcon. Recently, a show I saw on TV got me interested in falconry.
I understand that keeping a bird of prey is not an owner-pet relationship.
I enjoy the outdoors, and I want to get into the sport of hunting.
I admit that I am influenced by things such as books and films, and I like to dabble here and there. However, once I set myself on a goal I am always 100% committed.

I have read the apprentice stickies. However, where should I start off looking for a mentor?

[Catharsis]

btw how much money should I expect to spend on owning a falcon?
min - max ?

[zx2run]

Hi Catharsis. Welcome to the forum!

Here is a great website that will answer a lot of your questions. It has tons and tons of useful information.
http://www.themodernapprentice.com/fundamentals.htm

Also contact your state club...they can help get you in contact with falconers.
http://www.calhawkingclub.org/

P.S.
Please sign each post with your real name. It helps to keep things friendly. You can do that by going to your user cp and editing your signature.

Hope this helps..

[keithtsoar]

The costs come down to the mews to house the bird and equipment to safely maintain the bird. Scales, jesses , leashes etc. Gas $ spent driving to meet falconers and helping them beat brush while they hunt their birds. This will give you a good idea of what falconry is all about. And give you a chance to meet potential sponsors. Join one of the CA falconry clubs. and go to their meets. Welcome to NAFEX one thing we all do here is to sign all posts with real names, go to user cp and add your signature.

[Catharsis]

I see, so as far as obtaining the falcon, cost will be near zero?

Thanks Jessica I'll def read those.
Oh yea I have been to the hawking website, but I couldn't figure out where the listed clubs are, nor was I able to find a club near me (los angeles).

Or am I kinda out of luck in this area?

-Daniel

[zx2run]

If you go to the CA Hawking Club website it has the steps that you should take to get into falconry. The California Hawking Club has members throughout the entire state. I am sure that there are members close to you. Maybe someone on here from CA will chime in and give you more info.
http://www.calhawkingclub.org/app_info.htm

"4. After you've passed the falconry exam and joined the CHC, contact the CHC and, after determining your dedication and motivation, you'll be given some potential sponsor contacts. Caution: This is after you've proven you're really serious about this, in other words, after you've passed the falconry exam and joined the club. It seems like a lot of work. Heck, it is a lot of work!......"

[Catharsis]

wait, sponsor = mentor?

I thought a mentor was someone who trains you for 2 yrs and a sponsor is... I have no clue..

ah, think I get it now. They're the same.

So the best way would be to pass the test first, then find a sponsor?

[zx2run]

Every apprentice needs a sponsor. Sponsor=Mentor. Your sponsor is the person who will teach you about the sport of falconry.

[Catharsis]

So the best way would be to pass the test first, then find a sponsor?(via CHC). I suppose that way they know I'm serious.
Anywhere that I can get those studying materials for free or purchase 2nd hand?

[zx2run]

Before you take the test you should probably make sure that you really want to pursue the sport of falconry. It is a lifestyle that is a major commitment and it can be pretty expensive. You should definitely go on hunts with falconers to see the sport first hand. Definitely make plans to go the the annual field meet in CA (http://www.calhawkingclub.org/news.htm). Hopefully someone in CA on this forum can help get you in contact with local falconers so that you can go on a few hunts. Until then....read....read ...and then read some more. Also, contact the CA Department of Fish and Game and request a falconry information packet.

The modern apprentice website is a great source for studying. You can also use the search button on this forum and look up any questions you have. There are also free online practice falconry tests. Look on the apprentice discussion sub forum: http://www.nafex.net/forumdisplay.php?f=34

Also you will want to buy the California Hawking Club: Apprentice Study Guide. There are many other books that will help also.

[WinsorWoods]

Hey Daniel,

Yes, sponsor and mentor are the same things. As far as the actual cost of the bird....

You mention Peregrine. As an apprentice you won't be allowed to have a peregrine (this could change soon more about that in a bit). There are only two birds that an apprentice in CA can have, A passage redtail, or an American Kestrel.

The legal aspects of falconry are a combination of State Laws and Federal Laws. The Federal Laws form what becomes the basis for the state laws. The states are allowed to be more restrictive, but not more lenient. Recently the Federal regulations were changed and, among other things, will provide for an apprentice to have a Passage Retail, American Kestrel, "or any other captive bred falconry bird." Each state is given a deadline to come into compliance with these new regulations. If I remember correctly the deadline for compliance is Jan 1, 2014, but I'm not totally positive on the date. So if CA comes into compliance before you are ready for your first bird, you could, theoretically, have a Peregrine for your first bird, as long as it was captive bred, and as long as your sponsor is ok with it.

Captive bred peregrines do cost money. I've seen them go from $800-$1500. Regardless, before you can get a Peregrine, you've got lots of other hurdles to tackle first.

I live in WA but I attended the West Coast Falconry Academy's "Apprentice Seminar." It was a weekend workshop and is put on by the current President of CHC, Jim Tigand. It's held in Marysville, CA and I think the next one is in October. If you do attend that seminar, you'll know by the end of the weekend if you want to proceed. Also, the staff there will bend over backwards to help find you a suitable sponsor if your're having trouble finding one yourself. They will have had a few days to get to know you and can then contact prospective sponsors and give them an informed report on who you are. The seminar isn't mandatory or required and most don't go that route but my wife and I found it very help and worth the money. You can get more info here http://www.westcoastfalconry.com/mai...pprentice.html

If you're serious about falconry, the other thing to mention is that you should set your sights on next fall (2010) and not this fall. There just isn't enough time to take the test, make your mews, find a sponsor, and trap a bird with enough of the season left to train and hunt the bird. You can really enjoy the process by shooting for Fall 2010 and not feel rushed. (You'll still feel rushed anyway).

You might also think about getting some good falconry books. Everyone here has their own opinion of what those are but I've found "North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks" by Beebee and Webster and "The Redtailed Hawk" by Mcgranaghan to be very helpful. The CHC study guide is also a life saver when it comes to studying for the written exam. (If you think you might go that Apprentice seminar, you'll get a copy of the CHC study guide there so don't buy one before hand.)



Good luck,

Dan

[Catharsis]

Yea I couldn't figure out where that meet is. Somewhere in Utah?'

-Yea I'm not interested in owning a Peregrine, I know they're an endangered species.

Another reason is that one of my life goals is to unravel the mystery of human and animal consciousness. I thought it would be better to be closer to a wild animal. Originally I wanted to own a Caracal (which can be trained to hunt birds), but those are illegal in California.

Do you guys think falcons are capable of thought / emotions? Anecdotes welcome.

[sharptail]

Hi Daniel,
I just wanted to point out the the Peregrine is no longer endangered or even threatened here in north america, thanks mainly to the efforts of the falconry community here. Welcome to NAFEX!
All the Best,

[Catharsis]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes! I haven't been on a friendly forum in a long time...

[borderhawk]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes! I haven't been on a friendly forum in a long time...

And we try to keep it that way!!

You'll find anthropomorphism is a bit of a touchy subject among falconers, kinda like religion. You may not get the kind of conversation you're hoping for, as often times it leads to arguments about "petkeeping", which is an insult in the falconry community being as this is a "hunting" lifestyle. Some like to think of it as we are the hunting dogs for the hunter (the hawk), I like to think of it as a professional athlete/manager relationship..... the hawk is Rocky and the falconer is Adrian. One thing I think most can agree on is that these raptor are not "pack" animals. With the possible exception of Harris Hawks they have no interest in working as a team, they have to need to "be with you" or please you like a dog does. Training is completely based on making them believe that working with you is to their benefit. Like the hawk that follows the tractor in the feilds as it kicks up mice.

BTW - Welcome!!

[raptrlvr]

There are a lot of falconers in the Orange county and Riverside county area. You go to CalPoly Pomona, so, you are very close to a lot of the hawking fields that are used by falconers from that area. I know that a lot of the falconers used to meet at the Starbucks just off the 15 freeway and Jurupa on the east side of the freeway. You might wait until the end of August and go there around 6 am on a Saturday or a Sunday and see if any of the guys are there. Talk to them and ask them if you can beat the brush for them. Most of them won't mind and you can check out the sport and see if it is for you.

[FredFogg]

Do you guys think falcons are capable of thought / emotions?

Definately, they think I am going to fly, I am going to catch, I am going to eat! Yummm, all full, now I am going to go rest! LOL

[Catharsis]

There are a lot of falconers in the Orange county and Riverside county area. You go to CalPoly Pomona, so, you are very close to a lot of the hawking fields that are used by falconers from that area. I know that a lot of the falconers used to meet at the Starbucks just off the 15 freeway and Jurupa on the east side of the freeway. You might wait until the end of August and go there around 6 am on a Saturday or a Sunday and see if any of the guys are there. Talk to them and ask them if you can beat the brush for them. Most of them won't mind and you can check out the sport and see if it is for you.

Wow. What's the best way to get in contact with these guys? I'd rather not test my luck by going to startbucks every weekend trying to spot falconers, lol.

[WinsorWoods]

Wow. What's the best way to get in contact with these guys? I'd rather not test my luck by going to startbucks every weekend trying to spot falconers, lol.

When my wife and I decided that we wanted to definitely pursue falconry, I went to the website of my state's falconry association. In your case that would be the CHC. Not sure if the CHC has the same information, but I found email addresses for every member of the WFA executive board. I emailed them all and introduced us and, as luck would have it, the next meet was in two weeks. My wife and I went and met a bunch of people and falconers have been flooding into our lives since. Also, when I requested the falconry packet from our fish and game department, it came with a list of potential sponsors in our general area. One of those listed eventually became our sponsor. Once you make initial contact with one or two falconers, the rest will fall into place.

Dan

[Dirthawking]

When my wife and I decided that we wanted to definitely pursue falconry, I went to the website of my state's falconry association. In your case that would be the CHC. Not sure if the CHC has the same information, but I found email addresses for every member of the WFA executive board. I emailed them all and introduced us and, as luck would have it, the next meet was in two weeks. My wife and I went and met a bunch of people and falconers have been flooding into our lives since. Also, when I requested the falconry packet from our fish and game department, it came with a list of potential sponsors in our general area. One of those listed eventually became our sponsor. Once you make initial contact with one or two falconers, the rest will fall into place.

Dan

Just to clarify, that would be California Hawking Club, Not to be confused with the Colorado Hawking Club. A search of CHC will probably bring up both.

[WinsorWoods]

Just to clarify, that would be California Hawking Club, Not to be confused with the Colorado Hawking Club. A search of CHC will probably bring up both.

Good point. There are too many TLA's out there.

Dan

[raptrlvr]

By the way, the guys at Starbucks used to be the board members of the CHC. Testing your luck at Starbucks might be your best bet. Usually there are 5 or 6 guys there and its pretty darn easy to spot them as they all have birds in the back of their vehicles and they sit around and have coffee for about 30 minutes before heading out to fly the birds. Not many people sitting in Starbucks at 6 am in the morning. If your interested in falconry you will do what ever it takes .

[WinsorWoods]

If your interested in falconry you will do what ever it takes .

That about sums all this up pretty succinctly.

Dan

[Catharsis]

but he said, "used to" meet there. How long ago was this? I hope they didn't change meeting location

were they members of nafex too?

[FredFogg]

but he said, "used to" meet there. How long ago was this? I hope they didn't change meeting location

were they members of nafex too?

Go to the CHC website, email all the officers and ask them if they still meet there and if you can join them this fall and go out with them. The only way to find out is to ask!

[Kaden Stenlund]

Maybe before you start doing things like looking for a sponsor you should do more research just make sure you really have the time the space and the money. Before I joined Nafex I did two weeks of studying and wrote a paper on the subject. But you did the right thing getting in touch with others you'll find them to be loads of help!

[Kaden Stenlund]

When my wife and I decided that we wanted to definitely pursue falconry, I went to the website of my state's falconry association. In your case that would be the CHC. Not sure if the CHC has the same information, but I found email addresses for every member of the WFA executive board. I emailed them all and introduced us and, as luck would have it, the next meet was in two weeks. My wife and I went and met a bunch of people and falconers have been flooding into our lives since. Also, when I requested the falconry packet from our fish and game department, it came with a list of potential sponsors in our general area. One of those listed eventually became our sponsor. Once you make initial contact with one or two falconers, the rest will fall into place.

Dan

I'm glad it's been so smooth for you... from what you just described joining falconry in WA sounds easy in comparison to joining in Wyoming.... Wyoming doesn't have a website well actually it's a tourist web site not falconry... I've been able to contact one and falconer (that being Jeff) and they are not pouring in like you described hopefully that will come later... Dan has ignored me... I don't know if its on purpose or on accident so I won't judge him... But it has really been far from smooth and I'm hardly scratching the surface so Daniel I hope this gives you a glimpse of what to maybe expect... But I would expect it to be easier for you because California has around six hundred falconers while Wyoming has seventy... But you never really know... Good luck and don't give up!

[WinsorWoods]

I'm glad it's been so smooth for you... from what you just described joining falconry in WA sounds easy in comparison to joining in Wyoming.... Wyoming doesn't have a website well actually it's a tourist web site not falconry... I've been able to contact one and falconer (that being Jeff) and they are not pouring in like you described hopefully that will come later... Dan has ignored me... I don't know if its on purpose or on accident so I won't judge him... But it has really been far from smooth and I'm hardly scratching the surface so Daniel I hope this gives you a glimpse of what to maybe expect... But I would expect it to be easier for you because California has around six hundred falconers while Wyoming has seventy... But you never really know... Good luck and don't give up!

I sure hope I'm not the "Dan" that is ignoring you. I'm a little confused about that with all the "Dan's" and "Daniel's" in this thread.

When I say falconers are pouring in, perhaps that's the wrong image. What I mean is that between going to the OR meet and the WA meet, I've made lots of contacts. People aren't showing up at my house because they're falconers. On the contrary, I've continued to make long drives and use up lots of weekend time just to meet a new falconer face to face. Back in May, I went on an 8 hour drive with my sponsor almost to the Canadian Border where he bought a captive bred baby Gos. We were only there for about an hour. Just enough time to see the set up, fill out paperwork and then hit the road again and come home. As it turned out, this new contact I made was on the WFA board and became pivotal in avoiding some delays that were popping up in my process.

I think driving to the meets and planning on staying the entire weekend would be the biggest help. Bring your best attitude, and some willingness to beat on bushes. Make sure to get numbers and then follow up with them periodically. I'm sure glad I did. The guy who ended up completing my inspection I had already met and talked to several times on the phone. I didn't get any special treatment, but I wouldn't want any special treatment anyways. I'm sure it helped though when he recognized my name on the form and made sure to schedule the inspection as soon as he was able to. I'm not sure that would have happened if I hadn't put out the effort to meet so many people. I was lucky it turned out that way but just recognize that the more people you can meet, the "luckier" you'll be. You're just making your own luck. Of course WA falconers are lucky that the WFA handles the facilities inspections and not a game warden.

I wouldn't have been able to do it this way if I hadn't found all those email addresses online. If your state doesn't have those then it's really hard. You can't contact people if you don't know who they are. Every state is different and you just have to adapt to what you're given. When I first got my falconry packet from WA, I didn't know anyone. There were just 3 names listed for "potential sponsors in my area." Like I said previously, one of them ended up becoming my sponsor. There were no phone numbers listed so I wrote out letters and snail mailed them. I got two calls back. One person couldn't be a sponsor due to schedules, and one wanted to get to know me a bit more.

After driving several hours a few times to go beat bushes and getting to know me and my wife, we finally got a sponsor and could continue the rest of the journey.

So perhaps I oversimplified how much effort we put in just making falconry contacts. I just hope Daniel recognizes that it's well worth the effort and will return much more down the road.

Kaden, I feel for you that you've had such a difficult time in WY. From what I've heard, it's a great state to practice falconry, but it's also the least populated state (homo sapiens wise). That'll make it harder to meet other people, let alone falconers. For us, things fell into place but I think that was more an accident. When we returned from attending the apprentice seminar in CA, the OR meet was the next weekend and the WA meet was the weekend after that. It was a whirlwind month for sure and we met lots of people but we weren't home very much and spent lots of money on gas and hotels and doggie boarding

Dan

[tyler1998]

but he said, "used to" meet there. How long ago was this? I hope they didn't change meeting location

Most falconers don't hunt during the summer because their birds are molting in new feathers. The molt usually ends about this time of year, and so the guys that used to meet for coffee last season will probably start up again by the end of this month, because that's when their birds will be ready to hunt again.

Again, welcome to the sport and website.

[raptrlvr]

I am sure those same guys will be at Starbucks again this season. Most of them live in Orange county , but, the best hawking available to them is near this Starbucks. I spent years in California and the falconers always came out towards my house to do their flying on the weekends. I lived not far from this Starbucks. I don't want to leave anyone out, so, I better throw in that several women falconers also show up at Starbucks during the hawking season. If you don't find them at Starbucks, drive around on some of the streets and look out into the open fields. You'll probably see them there.

[borderhawk]

If you don't find them at Starbucks, drive around on some of the streets and look out into the open fields. You'll probably see them there.

And even before you see them, you'll probably see a whole bunch of trucks and suv's with falconry stickers all parked in a row by the field.

[Catharsis]

k i'll definitely try looking for these guys. What would be more helpful though is if someone could point out other hawkers from Southern California on these boards and I'll try contacting them

meanwhile, this seems like the best bundle of reading materials to get:
http://www.westernsporting.com/Merch...ct_Code=FB4012

[FredFogg]

I'm glad it's been so smooth for you... from what you just described joining falconry in WA sounds easy in comparison to joining in Wyoming.... Wyoming doesn't have a website well actually it's a tourist web site not falconry... I've been able to contact one and falconer (that being Jeff) and they are not pouring in like you described hopefully that will come later... Dan has ignored me... I don't know if its on purpose or on accident so I won't judge him... But it has really been far from smooth and I'm hardly scratching the surface so Daniel I hope this gives you a glimpse of what to maybe expect... But I would expect it to be easier for you because California has around six hundred falconers while Wyoming has seventy... But you never really know... Good luck and don't give up!

Kaden, you are digging yourself a huge hole that you will never get out of if you keep it up! Tread lightly young man!

[Catharsis]

I've also read just about everything on the modern apprentice website.
Are there other good online articles to read?

[raptrlvr]

Your going to find out that you have to do a lot of the leg work in falconry. You can't expect someone else to find these falconers for you. Getting out to Starbucks will show these falconers that you are serious about falconry and it might help you find a sponsor. I am sure they will be there near the end of this month. Some with new birds might even be there now. Then keep searching for info on the falconry web sites that you know of.