according to the videos i've seen in my area, a lot of falconers hunt in desert/mountain/grassland areas off freeways, just pull your car over, hop the guard rail, and bam!
First of all, I'd like to thank you all for anwsering me and helping make thing more clear. I really appreciate it. I think the problem right now with my understanding of things is considered an appropriate place to fly a bird. After reading this though, I have a stronger idea of places where I can go. Where I live, theres a park that has a enormous field and a school which has vast open field. I also live by the Sacramento River and a small town which is mainly farming. I have plenty of possible places I can take the bird out, but is the general idea of hunting in falconry any place that your bird can fly and find game? Keep in mind, I've never been hunting before, but I know enough that you cannot go hunting within city limits(I think). Thats why in my previous post, I asked what degree is your bird considered as, a dog or a gun. It seems like when you guys refer to hunting, all it means is taking your bird out to excercise and if lucky it'll find some game(food) like you would with a dog, but in my mind, I'm still thinking about hunting with a gun where there are specific areas and guidelines. For instance, you wouldn't bring a gun out in public because thats against the law, but is falconry looked at the same way in regards to the birds? This is what I'm confused about. Sorry if this is confusing. Thanks again for everyones help. Momentarily, I'll be heading out to the fish and game office to pick up a falconry packet. Maybe I'll see if they can anwser some of my questions.
Last Edit: Apr 19, 2006 14:46:54 GMT -5 by mrpotato
Check with the towns authorities about hunting within its limits with your bird. My local town doesn't allow hunting with a gun but have no problem with me using my hawk as long as I have land owners permission. Some of my favorite places are within town limits.
It seems like when you guys refer to hunting, all it means is taking your bird out to excercise and if lucky it'll find some game(food) like you would with a dog,
On the contrary, every time you fly your bird you should do your utmost as a falconer to put your bird on game. It should not be simply left to luck or chance. Falconry is about hunting - plain and simple. Your goal every time you go out (IMHO) should be to help your bird make a kill. If you fly a hawk continually without getting it on game, eventually it will lose interest. Then you run the risk of behavior problems or losing your bird.
That's why it's important to find decent hawking spots. Since you've never been hawking or hunting, then you need to recruit the help of an experienced falconer - ideally your sponsor.
In response to your question about how a hawk is regarded by the law, keep this in mind. In the eyes of the law, falconry is technically no different than any other form of hunting. You need to have a hunting license and comply with the hunting laws of your state.
That being said, however, Hawkstir raises a good point. Some people who would have a fit if they saw you hunting with a gun within town limits aren't nearly as concerned if they see you flying a hawk.
Whenever I encountered someone while I was flying my bird the people either: a) didn't even notice we were there; b) noticed me, but didn't notice the bird; or c) noticed me and the bird, thought it was really cool and asked a bunch of questions. I usually played it safe and explained to the people who asked about it that I was simply training the bird and it was eventually going to be released back into the wild.
I always try to fly where there are no people or dogs around, but running into someone eventually is probably inevitable, especially if you live in a populated area. Just don't give out any more information than you need to. You don't have to be sneaky. Just give out information on a need-to-know basis.
That's my two cents worth anyway.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
In California you don't have to worry about flying/hunting your bird within the city limits. You cannot hunt in the city limits with your gun, but, there is no problem that I know of with a bird. You do not want to hunt in a park. You should do a little more research and talk to more falconers especially in your area. I know that there are plenty of places in Sacramento to fly your bird on game because every time we have a CHC falconry meet there lots of game is taken by lots of falconers. These are falconers who don't live in Sacramento and don't know the area, but, they don't have a problem finding fields to fly in. They are only in Sacramento for a couple of days and can find these fields.
I think I have a good idea of areas I can fly and what is allowed; overall, I have a better understanding of falconry. Raptrlvr, when you say not to hunt at a park, do you only say this regarding legality, space, or the impressioin it sets at the people in the park? Speaking of which, I went to pick up a falconry packet at fish and game, and I think I will be start the steps of becoming a apprentice. Right now, I'll probably start by getting my hunting license. Also, I will start looking for study materials so I can get closer to taking the exam so that I may be closer to locating a potential sponser. I think for the first couple reading material I'll get is the CHC appretice study guide and the CHC apprentice manual. I will probably try to rent some books from the local library. I guess I will go from there. Should I join the CHC before or after I pass the exam? Thanks again everyone.
My personel opinion is to join the CHC now and bug them for help. Keep calling the officers on the list and pretty soon they will get you help. The park hunting in most cases is not allowed and even if it is, the people in the park are going to frown on it.
I like the CHC, i can't wait for the field meet at the red lion inn... if for some reason i don't have a bird (god forbid) I will still be there, great place to meet people, see hunting, look at equipment. I can't wait.
Raptrlvr, do you know the user name and password for the site? I just got the membership info, and the user name and password are wrong, I sent them an e-mail, but i dunno. If you know it, could you please message it to me?
I have not been on the CHC site in long time, so, I don't have the current password. The next field meet won't be at the Red Lion Inn in Sacramento. It will be in Bakersfield at the Doubletree Hotel. I could be wrong, but, I am pretty sure that the meet was in Sacramento this last year.
No... that the next meet coming up. it's 2006... so the next meet would be in 2007, considering the fact that there is 1 big meet a year... If it's in january every year, then the one for this year has passed, and the next one is 2007... Look at the sight... it says that it is the next meet to come up. So the next meet is gonna be in January 2007, at the Red Lion Hotel.
Maybe I an a year behind. I thought the meet was in Sacramento this last Janurary. It must have been in Bakersfield. The CHC alternates beyween the 2 cities every other year.
The reason they alternate is to try to be fair to all Claifornia members. We have a lot that live in Northern California and Sacramanto is fair for them. We also have a lot in Southern California and Bakersfield is fair for them. I haven't been to a CHC meet for a few years. I think it was 2004 when I last attended. It is a fun time for all.