humble tx

[countryboy88]

Hi my name is Tommy, I'm 23 yrs old and born and raised in tx. I live in Humble Tx with my wife Desi and little girl Avery. I just released a baby hawk that was somebody shot near my land. I never really cared for birds that much up to that point other then dove hunting. There is something about hawks i like. Anyways I want to get a red tail hawk but found out this apprentice stuff. I would like to go hunting with anybody, maybe bring a friend to. I want to find a sponsor I get along with. So this is the only way to do it. I think you should just be able to trap one,train, and then hunt with it but if this is what I have to do then I will do whatever it takes to get a bird.

[nanahawk]

Hi tommy. Yes falconry is highly regulated in the US. Raptors are protected by the migratory bird treaty act. This is a international treaty and violators can be fined allot of money, and In some instances even jail time.

the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage added Falconry, a traditional hunting method, to its List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since before the time of the pyramids, over 4000 years, falconry as a hunting method has retained an unbroken thread of tradition. Fathers have been passing down skills to their children for nearly 200 generations in a chain of intangible heritage, bringing this art to us, the 21st century.

Falconry (taking quarry with the aid of a bird of prey) is one of the only reasons a person may posses a bird of prey in the US (with the exception of rehab and educational purposes). We are very privileged to be able to have this opportunity. These birds are beautiful, graceful, but above all dangerous. In the hands of a unskilled handler could result in stitches and other injuries. Not to mention without being taught proper care, and providing proper housing, could be harming the birds themselves.

We are helped along by our sponsors to learn proper care, handling, training, and how to hunt with these birds. These sponsors, are under no obligation to do this, and they do so at no expense to us, free of charge, teaching us what they have learned throughout the years. and they will not just sponsor anyone. You Must show dedication to the sport and these birds to gain a sponsor.

These birds are not pets, these birds are not trophies to be displayed in cages. They are wild and need to be flown often. I disagree with your statement about no need for regulation.That's like saying we should be able to hunt without a license. Did you realize that about 75% of young raptors die every year? The rest of these birds that live beyond that 1st year of life are basically the breeding stock for further generations of raptors. We as falconers are only allowed to take from this population (raptors under a year of age). If we just took any bird we wanted, a 10 year old bird perhaps (violating just one law put in place that we are to uphold) we are injuring the wild population of these wonderful birds. and if anyone who wanted to could just take one, this could get far worse.

Falconers are also considered conservationists, doing what we can to protect these birds as well. The peregrine falcon would be in a far worse situation in the US if not for the aide of falconers helping out with its recovery in the 60s and 70s.

That being said. I live not that far from you, in Livingston Texas. And would not mind you joining Karah and myself on a hunt. Showing what these birds do and how we interact with them. I am merely an apprentice myself, but would do my best to answer any questions you may have. If you are interested send me a private message on this forum for more information.

[countryboy88]

wow thanks for all the great info. I would love to come along with yall on a hunt. Ill pm you. Thanks bro!