Hey, I live in the Fort Worth area, and i have an interest in falconry. I have just a general question about hunting. Are there any requirements for the land that you hunt your bird on? Can you hunt on private property? I read the state regs and I didn't see anything about what I asked. Do you require a hunting license when hunting on private property? Thanks for the help.
I'm interested in becoming a falconer. I'm looking for falconers in the San Antonio area who I can get to know, learn from, and possibly go hunting with if they would be so kind. I would like to start an apprenticeship (eventually), but not until next year due to some training I have to attend for work. So in the meantime, I really would just like to soak in as much as I can from others. I've been reading some of the books that have been mentioned, and will be buying some more.
On another note, I was hoping someone could help me in regards to this "falconry packet" I keep reading about in books and on websites. Have I found everything that is in the "packet"?
Through online researching, I have found a TPW electronic brochure explaining falconry, the falconry permit application, the state hunting regs, and I have found the Texas Administrative Code in regards to Raptor Proclamations. What I can't find anywhere is anything pertaining to "The Test". (I have found basic study guides and breakdowns of question categories) I can't find anything about how to sign up for the test, where this test is located, how much it is going to cost, how long the test is valid for, etc.
Do I need to send in a falconry permit application before I can take the test? I was under the impression you had to take the test, locate a sponsor, acquire all the gear and mews, be inspected, THEN apply for the permit... Am I wrong here?
When I called the Regional Game Warden office at TPW they told me to contact the Wildlife Dept. because falcons are animals and the law enforcement division doesn't deal with them. I explained that I was asking about falconry which is hunting, which the game wardens are involved in managing. I was again told to contact the Wildlife Dept. When I called the Wildlife Dept., they told me to contact the law enforcement office because falconry is hunting and I needed to speak with the game wardens. When I spoke with the game wardens I found in the field, they said they have never actually encountered anyone interested in or practicing falconry and told me to call their regional offices.
I have also joined the Texas Hawking Association and when I asked them about the packet or the test, I was told to contact TPW.
Welcome to the forum. And to the THA. Here in Texas. You basically secure a sponsor 1st, then fill out your application for a falconry permit, and the state will contact your local TPW office, and they will call and arrange things like tests and mews inspections. I am sending you a PM with further details.
Post by rorysgirl on Sept 11, 2013 17:58:08 GMT -5
Aha, thanks! I've also signed up for a three day seminar on falconry at the West Coast Falconry facilities in California for late October. Anyone ever attend?
Post by Falcon Boy on Sept 12, 2013 12:51:47 GMT -5
I don't know anything about that particular school, but my feelings about falconry schools are all the same...unless you have a lot of excess money and really want to be around birds right this instant....I wouldn't pay for it. I think you'll get to see more and learn more by hawking with local falconers.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
I plan on trapping my first passage red tail in a couple of weeks. I live right around Grapevine and Southlake in the Fort Worth area. Where would you recommend me trapping around there? Any specific roads or parts of road? Thanks
Post by marksmansmith on Oct 28, 2013 20:17:28 GMT -5
Im trying to help a friend of mine's apprentice get a passage female red tail and so far we have struck out. We haven't seen a single passage bird yet, lots of kestrels though so are the passage red tails just late coming down this year or are we just trapping in the wrong place? We are in between Abilene and Fort Worth.
I know it's a long trip. But if you need help I am seeing allot of decent red tails around Livingston. I would be happy to help. If you are interested send me a PM.
I drove through Dallas via Louisiana and up through i35 last month on my way to OK. I saw quite a few Passage RT, big ones, while driving on 35 up to and beyond the OK border. For what that's worth to ya. You might try driving north on 35 if you can't find any...
Last Edit: Oct 29, 2013 7:42:12 GMT -5 by echotadog
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
I live in Dallas and all of my birds have been trapped in Dallas county. I will agree that this year I haven't seen as many passage birds around yet, but that just could be luck-of-the-draw. I trapped a male this past saturday Nov 2 around DFW airport, and I first started looking probably around 2 weeks ago. Good places are up and down I35E or I35W. Out by Texas Motor Speed way on I35W is another good place to look. Now that the cold fronts are starting to come through the metroplex you should find more of them out there. Good luck!
Post by marksmansmith on Nov 6, 2013 17:41:37 GMT -5
Thank you. I had hoped this cold front would move some through. I went out this morning but didn't even see a red tail, passage or haggard and only 3 kestrels. I may try to come up and hit 35 this weekend. She actually lives in San Antonio so it's a bit of a drive for her to come up here and me to her but we've been trying our hardest up here. I've heard just recently that San Antonio has quite a few so we may start trying down there if we have no luck this weekend
Yeah it can be frustrating. I've driven for days and not seen anything, then one day all of a sudden they're sitting on every other light pole. A lot of trial and error involved, and just plain luck. Driving between San Antonio and Dallas you should come across more than your fair share of birds. I've also had more success either early in the morning or towards sunset. If it's warm and conditions are favorable for soaring, you won't find as many perched--of course, having said that, I trapped my first bird on a bright warm sunny day at 2pm and there were birds perched everywhere left and right, so go figure. Wish you luck!