Aspiring Falconer in Maine

[laertes]

Like the title says I'm an aspiring falconer from maine. I've been interested in falconry for a long time but now finally have my own home (farm) and the time/resources to get started. I raise chickens, geese, turkeys and ducks and sell my free range eggs at wholefoods markets in maine and mass for a living. I don't fly anything now as I'm just getting started but from what I've read an apprentice in maine can only fly a kestrel or a redtailed hawk. I am somewhat knowledgeable about keeping and breeding birds though I know poultry is quite different:) I breed using incubators and the old fashion methods of letting my birds sit on their eggs. I would be very interested in hearing from some falconers in my area and I hope to find a sponsor sometime this spring/summer.

[DLemieux]

I assume it won't be long before Scott responds to your inquiry. He is known here as mainefalconer. It sounds like the two of you may have a couple things in common. Even if he can't work with you personally I'm sure he get you pointed in the right direction. Good luck on your journey.

[everetkhorton]

(welc) to NAFEX Jason! It sounds like you have been giving falconry some thought for some time. There are a few falconers from Maine on the site. We ask that everyone sign there post with at least there first name. It just keeps it friendly. You can go to the User CP in the upper left hand corner and have your name added to the post auto.

[laertes]

Signature thing done :)

[Desertfalcon]

I just figured out the signature thing as well. I'm brand new here as well. Glad to on-line meet you, laertes! The written test is probably the first hurdle. Have you taken that yet?

[REYNALDO]

(welc)greg. in your avatar looks like you have female kestrel. have fun with her they are great birds.

[laertes]

No test yet. Just starting out really. Working on reading all I can right now. I think here in Maine you also need to have a sponsor before you can take the test. I will get there, but not looking to rush. Nice on-line meeting you as well :)

[REYNALDO]

OOPPSS sorry wrong guy.crazyy (welc) to you too jason!

[Desertfalcon]

No test yet. Just starting out really. Working on reading all I can right now. I think here in Maine you also need to have a sponsor before you can take the test. I will get there, but not looking to rush. Nice on-line meeting you as well :)

There are some practice tests on-line, (there may be info on this board for one.). They are very helpful in preparing to take it. You should do fine if you study a bit. ...and thanks anyway Renaldo ! She is a passage female kes.

[laertes]

I'm not even an apprentice yet but I have a group of rhode island red chickens that I flush field mice out for and they go crazy for them. If you've never seen a 5lb chicken swallow a mouse whole you should. Also had a rooster that would literally hunt my cats. Had to trim his spurs when he actually got a hold of one and gored him good. After attacking my 3 year old we called him dinner instead of killer. Also have a gander that my 110lb german shepard will run from.....

[laertes]

Yes I did notice the practice tests. I'm sure that will be very helpful. I'm glad to have found this site it seems like an excellent resource.

[Desertfalcon]

I'm not even an apprentice yet but I have a group of rhode island red chickens that I flush field mice out for and they go crazy for them. If you've never seen a 5lb chicken swallow a mouse whole you should. Also had a rooster that would literally hunt my cats. Had to trim his spurs when he actually got a hold of one and gored him good. After attacking my 3 year old we called him dinner instead of killer. Also have a gander that my 110lb german shepard will run from.....

http://www.dogproductshop.co.uk/smile/happy/happy0157.gif (http://www.dogproductshop.co.uk) LoL!

[tumble]

Jason, what town are you in?

[laertes]

I am in west newfield maine. It's about 15-20 minutes from Sanford and 40 minutes from wells. Are you in maine as well?

[tumble]

I'm over near Portland. I'll send you a message with my number if you'd like to give me a call this weekend. Your posts seem level-headed so I'd be happy to at least have a conversation with you about my take on falconry in Maine.

[laertes]

That would be great thanks Tom!

[mainefalconer]

Thanks Tom. Hey Jason, enjoy your conversation with Tom. He's a good guy. I'd be happy to talk with you as well. I currently live in Wells and run a business here, but own a home in Kennebunk as well. It's too bad that you're chiming in at the end of the hawking season. The duck season just closed. If you'd spoken up a few weeks ago, I could have gotten you out to see some hawking with my goshawk. I'll have to toss a mouse in with my chickens to see their reaction. You've got me thinking....

[laertes]

Thanks Scott it would be great to talk. My wife used to be the human resource manager at the Wells hannaford. That is too bad I missed the end of the season. I would have loved to see your goshawk take a duck. It is probably my favorite bird to eat when cooked properly. Do red-tailed hawks hunt duck well?

[harrishawk_79]

welcome enjoy your reads

[mainefalconer]

Jason, I share your feeling on eating duck. Next to Red Grouse, and Woodcock, there's almost nothing that I rather eat than wild duck. I live very close to the Wells Hannaford and a lot of my duck hunting is done right in that area. And no, redtails aren't any good at hunting ducks in a falconry setting here in Maine. To my knowledge, since falconry became legal here (several decades ago), there have only been 3 ducks taken by redtails.

[wingnut]

I would have loved to see your goshawk take a duck. It is probably my favorite bird to eat when cooked properly.

Whew!!! For a minute there I thought you were going to eat the gos. ;)

[KidK]

(welc) Welcome to NAFEX Jason!

[Raggedmtfalconer]

Welcome Jason, Michael from just over the border in NH here. The question you raised about red tail & Kestrel being the only birds an apprentice can have is a timely one. I understand Maine has adopted their new Reg's and I am sure the Maine falconers can chime in on any changes they adopted as it pertains to apprentice's birds. Once again Welcome!

[tumble]

Redtails and kestrels only for apprentices still. Personally I think one's best chances of success for a starter hawk in Maine is a redtail by far. Even then you have to seriously put your time in.

[laertes]

Tom, I thought the RH would probably be my best choice. From what I've read they are an easier bird to keep than the Kestrel. Also I would like to be able to eat the game I take and I don't think the prey a Kestrel takes would make much of a meal. Though I'd be willing to try. I'll eat just about anything at least once. Have you ever tried squirrel jerky?

Scott, It's too bad to hear that Redtails aren't good for duck hunting. How about pheasant? quail? Or maybe the better question to ask is what game do you generally hunt with a RH other than rabbits and squirrels (which are all over the place on my property)?

Michael, another falconer right nearby, that is great! I'm in west newfield which is right on the NH border near East Wakefield and Ossipee.


There are about 150+ acres of lightly forested sand pits and probably 200+ acres of uninhabited woods adjacent to the rear of my property, not to mention the little ossipee river and many miles of trails so I'm excited to have such a good spot right out my back door to potentially do some hawking on.

There is a great blue heron that frequents the pond on the backside of my property. It is such a graceful and majestic bird I can't bring myself to call it a shitpoke like most seem to.

Thanks for all the posts guys.

[mainefalconer]

Hey Michael, Why haven't we goine hawking together? What do you fly? I'm buddies with John, Jake, and Jeff over there. You ever get out hawking with them?

And I'll wholeheartedly second Tom's assertion that the best bird for falconry in this state is a redtail.

[Raggedmtfalconer]

Hi Jason, well yes I know the area you live, not far from my place. Just over the border a little ways. Sent you an E-mail----you should swing by sometime and I will show you my set up. Got carried away building my mews---12' x 36' with three rooms! You never know what might find it's way into the other rooms.

Scott that is a great question! Actually I would love to join you sometime. Yes if the John you are speaking of is Mr. Pittman from the coast, well yes he and I have hawked together before and are on the Board of the NHFA here in NH. I know of Jacob, have not hawked with him and actually don"t know any Jeff's. Would love to Hawk with you sometime, I am dying to get a Gos have spent more hours than I care to mention looking for nests but no luck! Would love to see the fly.

[Raggedmtfalconer]

Jason, Sorry should have mentioned right now I am flying a male Red tail and Chance has taken Chukar, hen pheasant, and quail. He is a little spoiled as he will sit and just look at gray squirrels as if to say HUH?? You really want me to fly on that?

[laertes]

Michael, That sounds like quite the mews! I'd love to stop in and check out your setup. I'll check for your email. Glad to hear redtails can take pheasant mmmmm.

Tom, I got caught up fixing the brakes on my truck this weekend, both the rear drums went and it was not a fun job on a 94 toyota :( but I'd still like to get in touch soon I'll give you a call in the evening this week.

I have a question for you guys. There are tons of falconry books available out there but are there any that you consider essential reads?

[Raggedmtfalconer]

Hi Jason, well yes there are a ton of books out there, but I will give you what I think have been some of the more useful books I have purchased when I was an apprentice. CHC Apprentice Study Guide, CHC Apprentice Manual, The Red Tail Hawk by Liam J. McGranaghan, Falconers Apprentice by William C. Oakes, Falconry Equipment by Brian Kimsey & Jim Hodge, The Complete Falconer by Frank Beebe and Trapping Essentials by Ben Woodruff. Most of those can be bought at any Falconry supply house like Northwoods or Mikes just to mention a couple. Now if you want to have a little insight into Falconry as it has matured here in the United States, The Pilgrim and The Cowboy by Paul McKay is another good read! Hope this helps and yes by all means drop me an E-mail, you are more then welcome to drop by sometime.

[tumble]

The first four books that Miichael listed are ones I started with, as well as North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks 7th edition (Beebe & Webster). But that book in any edition is very difficult to acquire. I borrowed the one I had and read it twice before returning it. Another very valuable resource to the aspiring falconer is one that is commonly referenced here as well, www.themodernapprentice.com . That site will keep you busy for a while. She did a terrific job.

[Raggedmtfalconer]

You are spot on with that recommendation Tom, she did a great job with that site. You can spend hours clicking through all the wonderful information she has posted there!