Wes, MO copied the Fed test written in '76 and continues to use it today, complete with obsolete answers. I think that HHs are good apprentice birds. The only problem is the possibility of the apprentice buying one then realizing that falconry isn't for her/him. But that's where sponsors come in. I predict that the states will tighten that reg up a bit.
The main item I don't agree with in the new proposals is the age reduction from 16 to 12. Don't know about most of you, but I would not have been able to handle a redtail or the weight reguirements (finnese) for a hunting kestrel. I had a kestrel one summer when I was 15 and it was more pet than hunter. I flew her, but didn't have a clue what we were doing. She was released at end of summer. Butter-fat and a superb mouser. I cringe at the thought of a slightly built (as I was) 12 year old handling a big aggressive redtail. Serious injury to a person that young, not to mention the media attention that would put on the sport of falconry. We don't need either.
As long as the Sponser is able to asses the responsibility and know how of the young guy. He can decide whether or not he has the potential to be an apprentice and from right there it doesnt matter what age he is.
I think the law thats being proposed is for kids that parents are already falconers. Kind of stupid though.... Going to allow a loop hole for alot of Harry potters to come into play.
Yay, I can get an apprentice license. I just turned thirteen but have been intrested in falconry for three years.Yipeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Given the scope of the proposed changes to the regulations, and the number of comments the USF&WS are bound to receive, you can pretty much counting on there being at least a year between the proposed rule (February 9) and the publishing of the final rule. So, you'll be pretty close to age 14 by then anyway. In the meantime, there's nothing stopping you from beating brush for someone.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
These are only proposed regulations! I believe how it works is that people comment on them and then a final standardization happens after reviewing these comments. But from what I have been hearing on this board about HH for apprentices is that most experienced falconers don't think HH should be allowed for apprentices. Plus even if that new reg does pass doesn't each state have to review them and then decide which ones they will apply? Like some states only allow a RT and a KBird not a RS and have raised the minimun age to 16. Also it will take awhile for each state to install these new rules in which they have five years to do so. Please correct me if wrong.
I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it. - Voltaire: Enlightened Thinker
Even if all of these regulations become permanent, i don't see any of them being implemented for a couple more years.
They have to completely re-asses all the regulations if any changes are made, which is likely. Then they have to go through all the departments all the way to the top. Once final approval is given, they have to find a way to implement them in every state DFG office.
This is just the logic behind it, but these won't go into effect for at least 3 years im guessing.
Like everyone is saying, these wont go in effect for quite awhile. Especially with how many comments are being sent in. I know that more than just I are sending in stuff explaining why apprentices SHOULD NOT be allowed to CB birds. Not to mention, the states can alter there rules within teh federal boundries....
Last Edit: Mar 17, 2005 9:15:44 GMT -5 by Falcon Boy
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Everyone seems to have an opin on CB H/H, Something to think about is how many younger people can afford one, maybe should have an age min. to have a C/B say 18yr old or older. I wouldn't recomend CB H/H for youngsters, but maybe for an adult second year apprentice? How would you'll feel about that? wes
Harris' bugs me, but not as much as red-tails and kestrels. What i know will happen is that over time, the state regulators will say "oh you can just get a captive bird as an apprentice, and i dont support the trapping of passage birds, so i am not going to allow that in my state." And trust me, there are people who will do that. I am worried about maryland doing that if they keep the proposed laws the way they are.
Just a thing to imagine- You are a first year apprentice. You go and pick up your 16 or however week old redtail fresh outta the chamber. The bird is wild just like a passage. Whats the difference? THIS BIRD HAS NEVER KILLED. I know for me, even with passage birds, it was hard to find my first birds hunting weight. Now not only do you have to do that with a captive bred bird, you must also TEACH it to hunt. You must TEACH IT how to kill. How many first year apprentices will be able to properly train a CB bird of any type, teach it to kill, find its hunting weight, without developing a mess of behaviour problems? ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN. If CB birds are allowed, there are going to be a lot of screwed up birds out there due to apprentice screw-ups. Im not saying that apprentices are bad, these are just mistakes that WILL be made. All apprentices make mistakes, i dont care if you think your superman, you'll screw up sooner or later.
What am i saying?- Dont let apprentices have CB birds of any type. Why?- What happens to these birds that wont hunt, or are super aggressive? What happens when the apprentice wants to move on? He cant just release the bird. Whats one to do? Transfer it to another apprentice? No becuase they wont want it. That means the bird ends up in a zoo, becuase a rehab wont want it becuase it will be aggressive.
My view- Dont let apprentices have CB birds
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.