Also be aware. According to the state. A captive bred bird does not count toward your upgrade to general falconer. You must fly and train (to include capture from the wild) a raptor (or raptors) for 2 years. This means that although you can purchase a captive raised bird. If you did so as your 1st bird and never trapped a wild hawk you will never be eligible for your upgrade. This has been verified with the state directly.
That's definitely true. I got that email from Megan at TPW...I looked at the regs and that part of it is definitely not in there, but it's sort of the "adopted policy" of the department. They will not count captive bred raptors toward your upgrade. I contend that if that is the case, they shouldn't let apprentices get a captive bred one to begin with, but it is what it is. Either way, I still don't know of anyone who would sponsor an apprentice and let him or her start with anything other than a RT or kestrel (at least here in Texas).
That's definitely true. I got that email from Megan at TPW...I looked at the regs and that part of it is definitely not in there, but it's sort of the "adopted policy" of the department. They will not count captive bred raptors toward your upgrade. I contend that if that is the case, they shouldn't let apprentices get a captive bred one to begin with, but it is what it is. Either way, I still don't know of anyone who would sponsor an apprentice and let him or her start with anything other than a RT or kestrel (at least here in Texas).
I agree to a point. It was explained to me this way if you finish your mandatory 4 months on your second year. You still have to wait for the anniversary of your permit date to actually get your general permit. But You now have the option of releasing your bird and buying the captive raised bird you want for your next season as a general, without waiting for your full term to be up as an apprentice.
And I do know sponsors in Texas that allow apprentices to fly passage harris hawks. Mainly these sponsors fly harris hawks too. And live where they are readily available.
Last Edit: Mar 19, 2013 10:27:58 GMT -5 by nanahawk
Sorry, forgot about the folks living in the southern part of the state! ;D Typical DFW mistake...Yes, if passage harris' are readily available locally then I can see that being a viable option.
That's definitely true. I got that email from Megan at TPW...I looked at the regs and that part of it is definitely not in there, but it's sort of the "adopted policy" of the department. They will not count captive bred raptors toward your upgrade. I contend that if that is the case, they shouldn't let apprentices get a captive bred one to begin with, but it is what it is. Either way, I still don't know of anyone who would sponsor an apprentice and let him or her start with anything other than a RT or kestrel (at least here in Texas).
I agree to a point. It was explained to me this way if you finish your mandatory 4 months on your second year. You still have to wait for the anniversary of your permit date to actually get your general permit. But You now have the option of releasing your bird and buying the captive raised bird you want for your next season as a general, without waiting for your full term to be up as an apprentice.
And I do know sponsors in Texas that allow apprentices to fly passage harris hawks. Mainly these sponsors fly harris hawks too. And live where they are readily available.
Any of them in the DFW area?
Warning: I have very little experience when it comes to falconry. Don't take anything I say as fact. Do your own research and listen to your sponsor.
I do not know many DFW falconers and of them none fly harris hawks.
If I where you though, I would focus more on what the sponsor has to offer you, not what he will let you fly. As I understand it there are quite a few very knowledgable falconers up there with many many years of experience. Don't shy away from them just because they would not let you fly a Harris.
You will be far better off in the long run.
Last Edit: Mar 20, 2013 12:01:22 GMT -5 by nanahawk
Well said--I also bristle a little at this notion that red tails are "beginner birds." It implies that they're the equivalent of a 250cc motorcycle and that you should be moving up to the 600cc street bike after a couple of months. This notion couldn't be further from the truth.
Well said--I also bristle a little at this notion that red tails are "beginner birds." It implies that they're the equivalent of a 250cc motorcycle and that you should be moving up to the 600cc street bike after a couple of months. This notion couldn't be further from the truth.
Agreed and well said . There are quite a few Master falconers who have never flown another species . They are the perfect Hawk for the job if Squirrel hawking is your game and have been know to take everything from Voles and rabbits to Ducks and turkey.
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Well said--I also bristle a little at this notion that red tails are "beginner birds." It implies that they're the equivalent of a 250cc motorcycle and that you should be moving up to the 600cc street bike after a couple of months. This notion couldn't be further from the truth.
That's true. I know almost everyone loves RTHs and a lot of elderly falconers like HHs because they cause less anxiety.
I think that I myself will eventually branch off into eagle and owl territory. I'm very interested in propagation/conservation efforts for the Harpy Eagle and the Lazarus species of owls.
Warning: I have very little experience when it comes to falconry. Don't take anything I say as fact. Do your own research and listen to your sponsor.
That's true. I know almost everyone loves RTHs and a lot of elderly falconers like HHs because they cause less anxiety.
Where are you getting this Garbage about RTs being higher strung than a HH ?
From your future plans and impressions of what falconry is You might be better suited looking into wildlife rehabilitation .
Not higher strung, just more social around humans and less anxiety-causing. From what I hear, HHs are harder to lose than RTs and easier to man.
Once I have my own house, I might approach falconry from more of a wildlife conservation perspective rather than a hunting one. Still, keeping a bird of prey and not allowing it to hunt seems cruel, as well as self-defeating since it wouldn't be able to survive in the wild withoute learning to hunt. I'd hunt with any bird of prey I own.
Basically, once I have the resources, I might start breeding endangered species as well as hunting with them.
Being a falconer isn't only about hunting in my newbie opinion. You can couple it with conservation and education.
Warning: I have very little experience when it comes to falconry. Don't take anything I say as fact. Do your own research and listen to your sponsor.
Where are you getting this Garbage about RTs being higher strung than a HH ?
From your future plans and impressions of what falconry is You might be better suited looking into wildlife rehabilitation .
Not higher strung, just more social around humans and less anxiety-causing. From what I hear, HHs are harder to lose than RTs and easier to man.
Once I have my own house, I might approach falconry from more of a wildlife conservation perspective rather than a hunting one. Still, keeping a bird of prey and not allowing it to hunt seems cruel, as well as self-defeating since it wouldn't be able to survive in the wild withoute learning to hunt. I'd hunt with any bird of prey I own.
Basically, once I have the resources, I might start breeding endangered species as well as hunting with them.
Being a falconer isn't only about hunting in my newbie opinion. You can couple it with conservation and education.
You are so far Off Base ... You need to slow down and read more viable source material . FALCONRY IS THE ART OF HUNTING BOP . PERIOD .
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
Not higher strung, just more social around humans and less anxiety-causing. From what I hear, HHs are harder to lose than RTs and easier to man.
Once I have my own house, I might approach falconry from more of a wildlife conservation perspective rather than a hunting one. Still, keeping a bird of prey and not allowing it to hunt seems cruel, as well as self-defeating since it wouldn't be able to survive in the wild withoute learning to hunt. I'd hunt with any bird of prey I own.
Basically, once I have the resources, I might start breeding endangered species as well as hunting with them.
Being a falconer isn't only about hunting in my newbie opinion. You can couple it with conservation and education.
You are so far Off Base ... You need to slow down and read more viable source material . FALCONRY IS THE ART OF HUNTING BOP . PERIOD .
Ok. I'm definitely going to hunt often with any bird of prey I own. I might get involved in education and breeding/conservation efforts on the side down the line.
Education and conservation might not be part of falconry, but I still value them.
Edit: I'm aware that falconry is simply the art of hunting with birds of prey. Every source I've read has made that abundantly clear. Feel free to beat me over the head to keep me in line.