Hi Hal,

Your best bet is to contact:

NYSDEC
Special Licenses Unit
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4752
518-402-8985

Ask for a falconry apprentice package. It should include a list of all NYS Falconers by area. Then start calling falconers that are near by and ask about tagging along. You may need to leave a message, they do not answer the phone most of the time. If you go on the DEC web site there might be an email address also. Good luck