A new Wannabe

[soontobeapprentice]

Yeah,
That's about it. I'm fifteen years old, live in Colorado, and am artist, naturalist, and most recently, a leatherworker. I waiting till I have the money to build a mews before getting my grouse-killing Kestrel. lol. :lol: Hey, you can always hope...

How hard is it to get a sponsor?



Thanks,
Kramer

[Accipter-Gentilis]

welcome to the forum m8.

there are a few falconers on here from across the pond maybe they can point you in the right direction

[Adam M]

welcome you will get lots of advice :supz: :supz: :supz:

adam.

[RedNoseK9]

welcome aboard mate ask lots of questions get posting

[DillyDolly]

welcome :)

[Saker-Mad]

welcome to the forum:supz:

[Jackson]

welcome to the forum mate!!

[BuzzBee]

welcome to the forum mate:supz:

[Osiris]

Hi there Kramer and welcome to the forum! I hope you enjoy your time here!! http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

All the best

Jamie

[IAmTheWeasel]

How hard is it to get a sponsor???....Well, that depends on how you go about it. If you go up to every falconer you meet and ask them to sponsor you, it may take awhile as falconers in the US want to make sure you are commited before they sign the paperwork to be responsible for your actions for the next 3 years since you are 15. You need to go out hunting with as many falconers as possible first to prove to them that you have the interest. Then you need to show them that you have the adequate means to take care of the bird and hunt it properly. Do you have access to lots of land? do you have a source of food for the future Kestrel? Do you have books to study, transportation, local vetranary care?etc....etc....etc....

[FredrickFogg]

Kramer,

Welcome to the Forum! Here is a link that will help you if you decide to pursue this life long passion of ours!

http://www.americanfalconry.com/findsponsor.html

Good luck,
Fred

[Jimmy]

Yeah,
I waiting till I have the money to build a mews before getting my grouse-killing Kestrel.


Nice attitude!! All or nothing!!

There are a couple of falconers from Colorado on this site. They might be able to steer you in the right direction......

[Redeye]

Yeah,
I'm fifteen years old, live in Colorado, and am artist, naturalist, and most recently, a leatherworker.

Kramer,
You've certainly made abusy start to your life 15yrs & already 3 occupations. Don't worry falconry will take any spare time you think you have and plenty of time that isn't spare as well!!

Ivan

[soontobeapprentice]

You need to go out hunting with as many falconers as possible first to prove to them that you have the interest.



Hmmmmm, does the fact that I've been raising birds for 6 years already indicate any interest??? The reason I want to do falconry is for the chance to work with the noblest birds on the planet, and for the hunting. I certaintly am not expecting a pet. I'm just a rather unusual teen who loves birds and especially these hawks.

[Jimmy]

Actually, no. It only indicates that you have raised some other type of birds. Falconry is a lot different than "raising birds". A lot more fun too.

[soontobeapprentice]

It's just sounding better and better...

I want to get involoved with my birds.

Kramer

[FredrickFogg]

What kind of birds do you have?

Fred

[soontobeapprentice]

Over the years I've had Ducks, Chickens, Cockatiels, and an unsuccesful attempt at handraising starlings (due to bad advice):( . I've also done banding trips, volunteered to moniter bird populations, and helped at a rehaber's place.

Kramer

[FredrickFogg]

Kramer,

That is a great start. I have hatched out in an incubator chickens, ducks (wood and mandarin), quail (several species), ring-neck pheasants, eastern wild turkeys and even a few other things I can't mention. LOL. But as you already know from helping at reahab centers, Birds of Prey are not quite the same as your chicken, duck, or parrot. Their care is quite different and the way you handle them is much, much different.

The best advice I can give you is to read as many books as you can get your hands on about falconry. Look on NAFA's website for a list of books, or most any Falconry group will give a list of good reading on their website. These books, although will not tell you everything, will give you a great jump on the terms and things you will want to ask that you don't understand. And after you have read them and understand what is involved and still want to proceed, then start your search for a sponser. That person will be who you go to for most of your questions and will help you more than you can imagine.

I didn't do anything or buy anything until after I read over 10 books. And then, after I found a sponser, I began to assemble the equipment I needed and started building my facilities. My sponser suggested I visit several other falconers to see their mews and weathing areas before building. And I am glad I did. I now wish I had visited even more, because I have seen a lot of changes I would have liked to have made had I seen them before hand.

So start buying those books and start reading and then you will have more of an idea of what you want to do and what questions to ask your potential sponser.

Good luck and Happy Hawking,
Fred

[GregMik]

Fred,
I am going to disagree with you a little bit here. I tell all the wannabes to just read North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks (as the test comes right out of this book) and remember that Bent wrote a book. Then go take the test. The test is so out dated that if you start reading the newer books the test will become confusing.

In Minnesota you can take the test before you find a sponsor. So you really would not be hurting anything to get the test out of the way right away. Then you can start searching for a sponsor, and can show that you are dedicated enough to take the test on your own first.

Greg

[FredrickFogg]

Fred,
I am going to disagree with you a little bit here. I tell all the wannabes to just read North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks (as the test comes right out of this book) and remember that Bent wrote a book. Then go take the test. The test is so out dated that if you start reading the newer books the test will become confusing.

In Minnesota you can take the test before you find a sponsor. So you really would not be hurting anything to get the test out of the way right away. Then you can start searching for a sponsor, and can show that you are dedicated enough to take the test on your own first.

Greg

Greg,

I just recommended the reading of the books for him to decide if he really wants to become a falconer, not on how to pass the test. And I have to disagree with you on what book to read if you just want to pass the test. I read all the books before taking my test and the one that I could have read and never picked up any of the others and passed the test was the California Study Manual (It is called something else, but you know what I mean). It had every question on the test in there.

I think at 15 years of age, he needs to read some of the books to see what it takes money wise, time wise, and dedication wise. So many people jump into falconry and have no clue how much time it takes in their life. I spend more time doing falconry than I do any other thing in my life, and that includes working. I am not sure if all the reading will help him realize that, but it may. And to be honest, I would rather my son at 15 spend the time it would take to do falconry, studying his school work so that he can go to college and get a degree and find a profession that will allow him to spend all his time doing falconry later on in life. LOL

Fred

[Isaac]

If you're in Colorado look for Richard and Becky Brunotte (sp? Sorry, Richard and Becky if that's wrong...) on this site. They're awesome gamehawkers in Colorado and I know that they do apprentice seminars over there too. If nothing else I'm sure they can put you in touch with other falconers in your area.

I started up falconry when I was 14 in Utah so I know the feeling of wanting a bird. Luckily my parents were really supportive (my Mom woke me up on my 14th birthday by asking me if I was ready to go take the test) and it all worked out great. Good luck!

[Jimmy]

North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks is the last book I reccommend to beginners. There is really nothing in that book that relates to beginners. The "Study Guide" by the CHC is the best book for the test, and once you pass the test you should forget half of what was on it because it's so outdated. I also reccommend taking the test and gathering equipment before asking someone to sponsor you. It shows dedication.

It's funny how we all do things differently, but reach the same goal in the end......

[GregMik]

North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks is the last book I reccommend to beginners. There is really nothing in that book that relates to beginners. The "Study Guide" by the CHC is the best book for the test, and once you pass the test you should forget half of what was on it because it's so outdated. I also reccommend taking the test and gathering equipment before asking someone to sponsor you. It shows dedication.

It's funny how we all do things differently, but reach the same goal in the end......

Jimmy,
If you go thru the questions on the test, they run in the same order as the chapters in the old editions of NAFAHH. In fact the text of the questions are the same text as in the book. I know that the CHC guide is has all the questions that are asked, but the test is written from the NAFAHH. So if you read that book, you will learn a few things as well as get the answers to the test.

I am talking about the old federal test that most states use. We am in the process of rewriting the MN state test, so we have been looking at this.

Greg

[soontobeapprentice]

Here is my two-pennies (or pence).

It doesn't really matter what book you learn from, as long as you learn. If I pass the test, what does it matter if I read this book or that book?

Whenever I am learning a new skill, I always read up. I have found that everyone has a different opinion about nearly everything. Thus, my stance is "If the experts don't agree, it probably doesn't matter." Essentially, if I read ten books, I get ten opinions. If every author I read is a successful falconer, then I have ten great teachers, whose ideas I can combine to create a plan of action that will best suit my situation. Make sense?

For example, one falconer may swear by Gortex braces and spend time bashing the poor qualities of leather hood braces, while the next author I read hates Gortex, and would never put anything but kangaroo braces on his hood. SO, does it really matter which I use? Probably not. I'll probably use the leather, merely because I prefer natural materials, and I'm a leatherworker, but it really doesn't matter.

I think that in all proffessions and hobbies, we spend way to much time debating over what color the pebbles in the road are, and too little time enjoying the scenery, and the destination. It is the enjoyment and satisfaction of the sport that matters. The end goal for everyone is a well trained hunting hawk, and if someone gets there a slightly different way than someone else, that's fine. They sould be learning from the others mistakes, and offering suggestions all along the way. A famous quote "We have two ears, and one mouth, and we should use them accordingly".

As a beginner, I am completly open to everything told me by the experts. I think the experts should stay that way as well. Your never to old to learn :lol: .

Thanks for all the input, everyone,

Kramer

[Jimmy]

As a beginner, I am completly open to everything told me by the experts.


That's a great attitude. It might even work, once you figure out who the experts are, and who's blowing smoke......... ;-)

[soontobeapprentice]

Well, if the person has succesfully plyed his craft for over twenty years, I bet he's good to get advice from. If he's been doing it for 50 years, I better listen. If it is his livelihood, than there is absolutely no doubt as to his expertise.

[Jimmy]

Success is a relative term. And years mean nothing. You'll figure that out once you've been around awhile.

[Tasha55403]

Greg isn't suggesting you not read up, he's suggesting you wait until AFTER you take the test. This is a case where knowing too much CAN hurt you. I know a girl who's mother is a falconer and has been around it for more than half her life-she failed the test her first time(and possibly second). Not because she didn't know enough about falconry, but because she knew too much. The test is ANCIENT and outdated. Particularly the health and disease section. For example-if you read newer books you will see Flagyl as the recommended treatment for frounce...that answer isn't on the test.
While Greg just suggests you know there's a guy named Bent, I like to direct people to this website:
http://www.birdsbybent.com/
Alot of the natural history stuff on the test can be found here.
The test really isn't hard, but I know a LOT of newbies that have failed it-several times over.

[soontobeapprentice]

OK, thanks...

Yeah, years don't mean everything, but I would rather trust someone who had done it for 20 years than for two...

[Tasha55403]

It doesn't always equate. A 20 year longwinger that's never even had a redtail will very possibly not be able to give good advice about a troublesome redtail (the bird you will most likely start out with). Whereas a redtailer with only two years might know exactly what you need to know since they went through exactly the same situation a year ago. Some things cross species lines, but others don't.

[Carol]

Welcome to the forum
hope you'll enjoy it

Carol

[Jimmy]

Yeah, years don't mean everything, but I would rather trust someone who had done it for 20 years than for two...


Just because someone has done it for 20 years, doesn't mean they know very much. I know several people who have been doing it for longer than that and they suck. Once you've had the chance to be around a bunch of different falconers, you'll understand what I mean. The best thing you can do is get around and watch as many different people as you can. If you pay attention, it won't take long to see what works the best, and what doesn't. Don't limit yourself to just one person just because they have been doing it awhile. Learn from everyone you come across. Sometimes you'll learn what to do, other times what not to do. As long as you're learning something.

[Afshimo]

The best way to learn falconry is to choose a certain way, the way your mentor teaches you and ignor everything else for a few years whilst you get to grips with learning the basics. After that they yeah, experiment, try out new tecniques. Dont try a stick and paste tecnique of things you might come accross in books as this will only confuse you and make you a bad falconer.

I did that, i was taught a way, trained a few birds then tried to patch it up and made a right mess. Now I'm just using what my mentor tell's me to use and do and everthing is so much more smoother. My birds do get too confused neither.

You want a solid start with the right mentor who'll help and suport you then everything will be a bit more easier and smoother and you and the bird will get on better.

[soontobeapprentice]

Thanks for all the help everyone!!!!

This may still be aways in the future (1-2 years), but that gives me time to build mews and amass the equipment