85 bucks for a one day session of raptor biology and a day ending in a lure chase....
Gimmie a break. You could get the same for half that at a bird show at a zoo. SH!@t i know a zoo in palm springs you can get all that and watch a lure stooping show all for 8 bucks.
And the 3 day course is a joke. $2750.00 for information on training raptors.... With some "degree" they give you that ain't gonna get you anything in falconry.
Steve Martins work shop is almost half of that, and you learn from STEVE MARTIN!!!! It isn't specifically geared towards falconry but the training methods are exactly the same. And taught by someone recognized as a god in bird training.
Sorry to be my usual self, but i really don't think falconry classes are much good, other than getting you started and teaching the basics, and CERTAINLY not for THAT much money. Damn.
ESPECIALLY considering that they aren't gonna be using any native birds that apprentices will be using. Because its illegal to make a profit off of native raptors. Notice how all it mentions are exotics. Harris' are considered exotics if purchsed out of the country.
I do like the honest reply, admittedly. So, where are the classes taught by Steve Martin? I am interested in my son going aswell, what are the age requirements for his classes? Got a link for me? slrahm
About five years ago I went up to the British School of Falconry in Manchester, Vermont. Since we didn't have falconry in Connecticut and, at the time, I didn't know any out of state falconers, I figured I might, at least, be able get some kind of feel for the sport.
The "School of Falconry" didn't provide any in-depth teaching. For the princely sum of almost $200, they let me call the bird (they use all Harris's Hawks) to the fist on a short hawk walk – and then I got to beat brush and watch on a two-hour hunt at a hunting preserve on stocked pheasant and partridge.
I'll admit it that it did spark my interest enough to find out who the falconers were in neighboring states start beating brush for them (something I should have done from the beginning). However, You can imagine how stupid I felt when I figured out that I could do that for free (other than the price of my gas) and I would learn much more by getting out in the field with active gamehawkers than I could at a "falconry school."
IMO. Falconry schools may have their purposes, but "teaching" people falconry is not one of them. The one I went to had a tendency to make it "look easy." Let's face it, to the untrained observer flying a cast of Harris's Hawks on a stocked hunting preserve might lead one to come away from one of the course thinking that training and hunting with a hawk is easy.
I think that falconry academies or schools need to be up front the fact that they are simply giving people a high-level exposure to falconry and stress the fact that there is no subsitute for direct field experience.
The best way to really learn about falconry is by doing. If your son is simply trying to understand what the sport is about and decide if it's for him, save your money and have him get out in the field with some good gamehawkers. Both he and you will be "richer" for the experience. (No pun intended.)
Just my two cents worth.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
I agree with you, unfortunately I am getting no response from the local falconry group and less from attempts to locate locals on forums like this. Not to mention that my son is still below the appropriate age to obtain permits, and a very superficial course would be more exposure than he is currently getting. Raptors have always been a love, and when one of the local shopping centers was being haunted by a lost peregrine falcon (who got my attention by swooping over my head a few times) I got a glimpse at the fact that falconry was still practiced. Something not many people know! Now I am continuing to read as many books as I can find and have been to many forums, calling breeders in hopes of getting the opportunity to simply see what is involved with caring for raptors, and even requested information from PA/MD/VA falconry groups in hopes of being granted the chance to learn more. I would that I lived in a state more conducive to hunting with raptors, but I am just outside of DC and there appear to be a limited number of hunters around. Falcon Boy (who is in MD) was kind enough to offer to let me observe and follow him around a bit, which I am looking forward to with great anticipation!
slrahm: What are you looking to do? If you just want to see raptors in action, check your local zoo's. Lots of zoo's have bird shows that are very entertaining and very informative.
Check the rehabbers in your area too. Many will hold educational presentations where they will show you a bunch of different raptors they have that are not able to be released into the wild.
If you are looking to see raptors in action in the field well.... most falconers aren't going to take some green guy and his kid out to the field. Its a lot of things to worry about and there is nothing positive in it for the falconer, plus you can't pay him to do it hehe, its illegal.
The BEST thing for you to do is find out when some state club meets are going on in your area. The MD state meet is soon i think, FB would know more. There is some meet up in maine and im sure there are going to be more on the east coast. Now is the time, as this is the time of year that clubs hold meets. You will be able to see a TON of birds, gain a LOT of information, and possibly bug someone into letting you come out to the field with them.
However, if you are not interested in getting into falconry on your own, i wouldn't suggest it. Falconry takes a lot of time and a lot of money. Im sure you are quite interested in raptors, but it takes more than interest and love of the birds. If you just want to watch and learn but are unwilling to participate, then the zoo's and rehab centers are your best bet. Falconers will only tolerate the interested non falconer with no interest in falconry for so long.
But if you are interested in becoming a falconer, go to some club field meets, and bug everyone for information.
Post by BlueTiercel on Jan 19, 2005 18:39:17 GMT -5
That link doesn' work. Is it that blonde guy who fly's peregrines and has a pseudo mullet? not really a mullet more of a 70's thing..? writes a thing on Sky trials in the last NAFAHH? hehe..thought that might be him, lemme go check.. no thats Rick Sharp....um ok, no clue, color me ignorant. It would rock if THE steve martin was a falconer though....i dont know why, but it would make me smile..
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
The Steve Martin he is speaking of is known for his Parot Books, and arial shows. I had not heard of his raptor exhibits, had only seen the parot papers/books, none of which I am particularily interested in other than the vetting side.
haha ya you are thinking of rick sharp aka The Legend of the West, hehe.
No steve martin is a bird trainer. He develops and runs shows for zoos and fairs and EVERYTHING around the country.
He is recognized as one of the best bird trainers going and some of his shows are just amazing.
We are talking release box flights from like a quarter of a mile away, flighted andian condors, talking parrots with vocabularies that rival most adults humans... just spectacular things. Check out the webpage, and if you read enough bird stuff in falconry you will see him mentioned.
This is the guy whos falcon will pluck till he gets there, then hop off the game and stand a few feet away and patiently wait for steve to pull out the heart/live/lungs and hand them to the bird.
I know im reaching "brown noseing" limits, but he really is at the top of the game for training birds.
1500 isn't bad. I actually have taken a number of professionals courses because I have worked with DOI/FWS and WWF over the years. I have had the opportunity to "see" birds up close, that isn't the point, it's their natural hunting that gets me. I have "seen" wolves, bear, cats, reptiles, and any number of smaller mammals, but it isn't the same as working with them in their natural manners. Wolves become a part of your soul, as do the ravens that rival them for their kills! And to tag a bear or cat is to run your hands through the fur of some of the most incredibly powerful creatures on the earth. But it is still only barely touching them because you sure wouldn't do it without them being tranquilized! It is not something you learn in books or courses. I probably know that more than most people you'll talk to.