I am about to take my falconry test and i am wondering if you getting an apprentance kit is a good idea and if so what site has some good ones i have been looking at north woods. thx for your opinions
Make your own equipment. It is much cheaper than getting one. Also what kind of falconer doesnt know how to make their own jesses and anklets. Leashes can also be made if wanted with a little instruction. Scales can be bought from other scientific companies for much cheap than the kits. Botom line is they are just not worth it.
I am about to take my falconry test and i am wondering if you getting an apprentance kit is a good idea and if so what site has some good ones i have been looking at north woods. thx for your opinions
It is much cheaper to only buy what you cannot make. And do price comparisons. Mikes Falconry is cheaper than Northwoods. Northwoods has some things you may not be able to find elsewhere. A kit isn't a bad thing per se if you are impatient and have plenty of money.
Part of being an apprentice is learning the leather craft associated with falconry. I did order one set of jesses and anklets to use as a pattern. I do buy my leashes but plan to learn to make them. Scales esp. you can save money on. There is a thread on this subject under equipment I believe.
Keep searching this board and you'll find all sorts of links and good info. Since you are a pre-apprentice you have time to make stuff. If you are 13 I don't think you are old enough to take the test or be an apprentice, or are you about to turn 14? Do you have a sponsor? They will show you how to make stuff and usually prefer you do that rather than buying it all.
regards
" Insanity takes its toll..........please have exact change"
I would sy no dont get one. I would talk to your sponsor but it is so muck more beneficial to make your own equipment. PLus in a kit you are only gonna get one pair of jesses and anklets. You are going to need spares for the field.the only thing that I bout was a scale, Bells, one hood,and swivels, And one kanga hide. After that you can make everything else. I would require you to make your equipment if you were my sponsor.Just my 2 cents.
im turning 14 the day before my test (b-day is Jan 13) and i am in the process of writing a program that will make jess designs and hood designs as long as you place in the variables ie: with length height ect.
im turning 14 the day before my test (b-day is Jan 13) and i am in the process of writing a program that will make jess designs and hood designs as long as you place in the variables ie: with length height ect.
The program sounds good. But I would say don't buy an apprentice kit till you have a sponsor. They may want you to use different equipment. Some sponsors are very particular. I think it would impress a sponsor more if you have done your homework and studied and perhaps gone hunting with some falconers.
If you already have a sponsor what do they say about your buying a kit?
" Insanity takes its toll..........please have exact change"
Northwoods are expensive especially on the scale I found scales on ebay for 70$ (buy now thing) but not the brand name ohaus (or what ever it is called) I am making the mount you put on the scale like they have on Northwoods. Then I am going to zero out the scale once it is attached.
Buying a kit cost far more than it needs to be. Infact buying any of the stuff from a specialty shop cost to much. Go to a general tack shop or ranch supply. They will have a wide range of stuff that wil easily be converted to falconry gear. Not to mention that they can also supply the starter chicks for food if you cann't find a cheeper supplier. Alot of the swivels are right there, some even cary some of the leather supplies you'll need. Beside buying a kit before you know what bird you getting. Hard to hold down a rt with kbird gear.
I was like that when I first started. I checked out several apprentice kits and I was turned off by the price. As I learned more, I realized it wasn't that hard to make my own equipment. I've even made hoods too ;D If you make your own equipment, you can also tell when it's not working or needs repair. AND like everyone has said, it's much cheaper.
I used to think apprentice kits were a good idea- but after some time (and the research that I had lacked) I found that it just wasn't worth the money. Instead you should just spend a little extra time making it yourself.
I was told to avoid those kits, everyone I have talked to said it is more than worth it to learn how to make everything myself, that way I can alter,repair, and make completely new equipment at any time.