Apprentice...start to finish the whole sha-bang!

[Kornie]

Ok, I moved from good ol scotland to American about 10 weeks ago now and always wondered myself how to go about applying for an apprentice falconry licence and I myself was pretty confused about all the laws and regulations but in this thread will try and explain them in my experiences over here so far.

First things first, i rang up my local Department of Conservation branch and they sent me out an application pack that included the following:

-Application form
-List of Falconers in NY state and there adresses and phone numbers.
-New york state falconry guide
-NY state exam manuel
-and the falconry rules and regulations.

Three of the first things you must do to become an apprentice in the USA is

1) Get a small game hunting licence, taking a 10 hour course and pass an exam. The course which my mum and I both attended was a free course provided by the state which included everything from the different types of firearms, how to carry them safely and securely, it goes over seasons and also the part hunters do in the USA to actualy CONSERVE and protect the environment, and by carfeful laws and restrictions properly manage the herd populations of the deer which is monitered closely, for example all deer killed must be tagged before anything can be done with them and each hunter can take 1 doe and 1 buck (or STAG :) ) but this year becasue of the slight decline in population no does can not be taken this year. A very interesting course indeed...

2) At the same time I started trying meet falconers in my local area and trying to get a sponser. The falconers in my area were very good and willing to help me out, I have just recently found myself one and he has agreed help me trap a RT and if all goers to plan the we will try for the weekend after thanksgiving. (end of november to all the limeys reading)

3) The next thing I did whilst looking for a sponser and attending the local field meets was study for the exam that you innevitably need to pass before anyone can be issued with an apprentice licence, which basically consisted of 100 questions taken from, and based on the exam manuel you get from the DEC application pack. A score of 80% or more is needed to pass. It covered everything from trapping, nesting habits, incubation periods, hunting techniques, disease and cure, training techniques and the break down of all raptors commonly used in falconry.

[Kornie]

I have my mews and equipment insection due this thursday, but here is a break down of the requirements before any licence can be issued.

The Mews itself must

a. Have space to allow easy access and maintenance.
b. Space for the raptor to spread his/her wings
c. At least one window
d. Vertical bars on inside, screen on outside
e. Double door entry system.
f. easily cleanable floor with good drainage
g. One perch suitable for a raptor

There must also be a weathering facility which must

a. give space to allow the raptor to bait without striking its wings
b. be fenced with suitable material to exclude predators.

Everything must be storm proof, provide protection from excessive heat, avian and ground predators and disturbance.

The inspector must also check that you have the suitable equipment required to possess a raptor. You must have Jesses and anklets, swivel, leash, scales, bath and a suitable perch fro a raptor.

Here are some pictures of the mews I have adapted for my raptor(s) luckily it didnt need much :wink:

[Darren]

how u didlin lil man.....what have u done with trinity?

[Tim Laycock]

Alex, you make me wanna bawk up!:vom:

Nice set up m8, good man :wink:

[Josh]

How far apart are the bars, from the pic they might be spaced a little to far apart, can't relly tell.

[Kornie]

thanks, I think the bars are ok, they batter be anyway. When the guy came over for a "prelimenary" look they were ok.

[Jazz1]

Nice set up M8.
Just watched a dvd on the usa way on falconry and trapping bird's getting them manned and flying free again it was interesting.

[IAmTheWeasel]

Kornie, Congrats on getting this far in this short of a time! I'm glad to hear that someone agreed to sponsor you. I think you'll enjoy trapping quite a bit! Make sure to keep us posted on you progress.
I can't believe that the deer population is that low in Upstate! We still have a 5 deer per person limit here.

[Osiris]

Pure class Alex. Nice one :D When trinity gets over there with you i bet she'll love it!

Hows the plans for a passage RT coming along?

Seems like you got a lot of info and paperwork to get through m8:D

Glad you both passed the exam!

All the best

Jamie ;)

[Tr1gger]

Well done on passing the exam :-D

[Kornie]

Yeah we've done pretty well. Things are going smoothly, Hoping to go out trapping the weekend after thanksgivingand get me a passage RT, ill kep you informed and pictures of the trapping.

[Osiris]

Nice on Alex. Cant wait for the pics. Never seen it done before!!

[Finnish]

Well done mate hope all goes well for:supz:


Lee

[Ben C]

Rock on Alex: I'll be out soon, meanwhile the review copy of Hollinsheads book is winging its way as of NOW!!! :supz: :supz:

[Kornie]

Sweet cheers Ben, lovve seeing your name pop up, sorely missed guv'ner.

It turns out the bars WERE to far apart after all that, need it meshed up before I can pass the inspection which is a bit of a pain, dleay in the time scale, the mews has to be American Kestrel proof so in other words, there can be NO GAPS. Work on that this weekend and get it ready for the next inspection....sliightly set back but we are still rocking.

Sorry Josh, youy were right, the guy didn't mention it last for the 'prelim' :)

[Jarreth]

Hi Kornie

Fantastic place. I'd love to have something like that! Is it open topped or do you have somewhere to perch out? Aswell?

Any pics of your flying area, from what could been seen behind the building there is a hugh space, it looks pretty cool!

[Eragon]

hold up!! was there hay/straw in the barn. if there was there is a good risk for asper!!! other than that it looks perfect! :D im jealous

[Jarreth]

What straw?

[Kornie]

Well... lets get things into perspective, better chance of aspergillus, but not a good chance of it, anyway, no there is no straw and I thought the micro-organisms thrived around rotting compost heaps and silage.

There is a weathering area outside as well...still got a few thnigs to do to it though. Ill post more when I have passed the inspection.

[Eragon]

Ok, thats good. I have hear that just previously any hay being in the barn increasses the risk. Looks awsome! :supz:

[IAmTheWeasel]

Eragon, You are correct, If there is any amount of Hay in or next to the barn, you will have a high likelyhood of getting an asper bird. Hay is in constant decomposition and therfore, when it is in any closed in area in sufficient quantities, the asper gets concentrated in the air enought theat the birds immune system will be overcome. Asper is everywhere all the time. We breath it, the birds breath it, but it's not until it's concentrated that it becomes a problem.

[Kornie]

Nope there isn't any hay stored in and around the barn, and I agree, it is something to be careful about.

Update on the situation. Two mews' are nowfine passed the inspection. Snet off for the state permit and got that fine. My sponser and I then went on to apply for a capture authorisation back in december, at the same time as filing for the federal permit. THey sent it back however and it turned out that I need the federal permit before I can get the capture authorisation. So we filled in the forms and sent them away along with a begging letter and a $200 (for 2 applications) cheque. I left 5-6 weeks for the application to go through before we ran out of time and the season for capturing is over.

WELL....it turns out that by the 25th January we were out of luck and 3 days later the federal permit rolled through the door, no words can described how ****ed off I am, especially as we asked them if they could make sure it was done by the 25 and the fact we gave them fricking 5-6 weeks and with such a large processing fee, I thoguht they would get it done????:mad:

So, could be a while now, and I think the onyl word that sorings to mind now is ****.

Alex.

[Tr1gger]

Thats a right ****** alex sry about that m8, good to hear that things are goin alright though. U having a good time across there?

[Hacker]

Hey, Kornie,

Well on mews m8, it looks strong enough for a female Roc.:supz: :supz: :supz:

[Kevin Massey]

such a shame that alex....after all the extra effort, so what now? when will the trapping season start again?

[Moses]

well done kornie, awesome looking barn and mews mate

[Kornie]

Next fall sometime. Im pretty sure its september but don't quote me. Constantly adding things to the mews over time. Just really disapointing. There is however the possiblity of an American Kestrel....but i'm not sure I could the thing 12 times a day without resorting to Plan M...

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Well done lad.

You have come up trumps with passing the test.

Dont worry about missing the trapping permit you have all your years in front of you for that.

What are the girls like mate!:heart:
seen any stunners yet! :supz:

Regards and good luck

[Kornie]

Seen any? I got one mate. 8) very nice aswell. I wouldn't say that there are any more then where I came from though.

[BrianM]

we are talking about real girls kornie you know not the ones in your head lol