Cool. I'm actually VERY new to Falconry. Actually, I havn't a clue as to how to do anything yet. Your not too far which is a good thing. Anything you can help me with would be awsome.
First thing to do is to call the DFG in Sacramento and ask them to send you a falconry package. It doesn't cost anything. You can email me at "raptrlvr@aol.com" any time you have questions. You can also use this forum, the members are always helpful. It is the end of falconry season and most falconers are putting thier birds away for the molt so you won't get a chance to see them fly. I will be flying my eagle and any time you want to come out to watch/help is OK with me.
Alrighty. Sent away for a falconry package yesterday. That's the only step I have taken so far. I might just take you up on your offer to see the hawk fly. What kind of hawk? Totally curious now.
Alrighty. Sent away for a falconry package yesterday. That's the only step I have taken so far. I might just take you up on your offer to see the hawk fly. What kind of hawk? Totally curious now.
raptrlvr is flying a Golden Eagle and a harris hawk if i'm not wrong. ^^
I so want a gyrfalcon. I have read alot about this falcon. How much are these raptors when thier small? Would it be better to get them when thier small so you and your bird learn each other? Or no? I would think so but raptors aren't like dogs.
First, you can't get a gyrfalcon as a first bird. You have to do your 2 years as an apprentice with either a RT or a Kestrel. Once you are done with that, then you can move into the falcons and other birds. If you are after a gyrfalcon, you better start saving your money now. they are pretty expensive. A tiercel can be bought for about $3000 and females can run $4500 and up. You need to know how to use telemetry pretty well with these birds because they love to tailchase till the prey sets in or just gets tired. Most of the falconers I know can't afford such high prices and so they buy the gyr/peregrine hybrids or the gyr/prairie hybrids. Still you are going to pay about $1000 and up to $2500 for the females. And if you gyrfalcon takes off, you are out that money. By the way, eagles love to eat gyrfalcons. Happens every year.
If it has you stunned, then ask some questions and we will try to answer them as best we can. Falconry used to be the sport of kings, but, now a days horseracing is the sport of kings. In the olden days, kings owned all the birds and the land and the game. The commoners were allowed to fly the birds but the game belonged to the kings. Now all you history buffs can set me straight on this, but, thats the way I have heard it told. The reason you can't have a gyrfalcon in your first years has nothing to do with that.
Not exactly correct... commoners could fly any hawks.. only the falcons were reserved for the nobility. Kings carried gyrfalcons, an earl would carry a peregrine, a yeoman would carry a goshawk, a preist would carry a sparrowhawk, a servant would carry a kestrel, Knights of the middle ages were allowed to have saker falcons, A squire got to have a lanner falcon, and a young squire would be allowed a hobby.
There you go a rundown of the placement of falcons
In the olden days, kings owned all the birds and the land and the game. The commoners were allowed to fly the birds but the game belonged to the kings.
I do believe Jim is still correct.
Also, this is starting to get off topic. ( remember you can always create a thread )
First, you can't get a gyrfalcon as a first bird. You have to do your 2 years as an apprentice with either a RT or a Kestrel. Once you are done with that, then you can move into the falcons and other birds. If you are after a gyrfalcon, you better start saving your money now. they are pretty expensive. A tiercel can be bought for about $3000 and females can run $4500 and up. You need to know how to use telemetry pretty well with these birds because they love to tailchase till the prey sets in or just gets tired. Most of the falconers I know can't afford such high prices and so they buy the gyr/peregrine hybrids or the gyr/prairie hybrids. Still you are going to pay about $1000 and up to $2500 for the females. And if you gyrfalcon takes off, you are out that money. By the way, eagles love to eat gyrfalcons. Happens every year.
why do they love to eat gyrfalcons? don't other birds taste the same or are easier to catch? [sorry for the not so smart question]