Post by BlueTiercel on Jan 19, 2005 19:23:40 GMT -5
okay, cool i tried the link again and it put me though, gonna check it out here a bit, la de da...looks really cool, nice eagle pics and info. ok, just got the word, supposed to be good tide or something and gonna meet some people at 12:30 for some falcon and duck action...lets hope...gonna ber cold, hope it doens all freeze in...
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
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.
If you son is not old enough to become a falconer, that's all the more reason (IMO) not to spend a lot of money. Kids interests have a tendency to change as they get older. (I have a 12 year-old son and 16-year old and 20-year old stepsons.) My son and one of my stepsons are intersted in the sport now, but that could change as he gets older. He;s gone out with me to other states when I've beat brush for other falconers and has learned a helluva lot more than he would from any falconry course.
Why not just bring your son out with you when you go with FB? I hope I'm not overstepping my bounds here, but that would seem to make the most sense, especially if your son is still at the information gathering stage.
Also, there a ton of falconers in MD and PA. Both of those states have very active clubs. (I think that Maryland has two clubs, right FB?)
Since you're not that far from the MD and PA borders, maybe you can try to contact some of them. If they seem a little standoffish at first, don't take it personally. Many falconers get lots of calls from people claiming to be interested in falconry and then they never hear from those people again. So, persistence is the key.
There's a falconer/breeder who lives in Falmouth, VA, which, if I'm not mistaken, is not that far from you. I'm not sure what his reputation as a falconer is like, but he breeds all kinds of raptors. If nothing else your son might be able to at least get exposure to birds of prey without you having to spend a lot of money.
Again, if I'm being too pushy, then tell me to go jump in the lake. I just hate to see people make the mistake that I did and spend their hard-earned money when there are low-cost (and no-cost) resources out there for finding out about falconry/raptors.
It's important however, that your son not get confused between birds shows, rehabbing and falconry. Although there are some falconers who are also rehabbers and vice versa, the two activities are very different and should not be considered one in the same.
Falconry is the pursuit of wild game with a trained raptor. It also requires that all apprentices trap their birds from the wild. Rehabbing, although it uses many of the same conditioning and training techniques as falconry, is something entirely different. Sometimes falconers/rehabbers will use rehabbed birds to hunt with, but they will still have had to trap and train their apprentice birds from the wild. If they didn't they are aren't really practicing falconry (IMO).
Bird shows are great for educational purposes and serve an important role in teachining the public about the role that raptors play in the envirionment. But it's NOT falconry.
I think it's much easier for kids (and adults) to decide if flaocnry is for them if they are totally clear on those distinctions.
Sorry for the long-winded post.
Good luck with your search for information. I'm certainly no expert, but I know some falconers in Virginia. I may be able to point you in the right direction if you'd like.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
Post by BlueTiercel on Jan 20, 2005 10:32:40 GMT -5
Nice post Jon, Where are you from again, the new england area right?Well, i would have to say, if you keep at it you will eventually get someone to take you out hunting...Try and contat more than one person if at all possible and your chances of getting out will increase. i am going to have these two people sign my NAFA application, that is something to gt you more involved and something Tiercel78 recomended to me. I have been told by the people i know they ae going to try and get me into their club or something to that effect...it really trys on your stamina sometimes when all you want is to see some hawks fly, listen and watch how falconers handle their birds..etc and the season is short and no hunting in this state on sundays..i am going to see if i can meet up and go out with someone in new hampshire on a sunday by the way..well, i wouldn;t go spending my money even if i had any...just try and get involved through the ways jondarp recomemded and try to join some clubs..that is something i should have done earlier myself.
"every dream you keep inside, another part of you has died"
I would like! I would like! (if you have the time to conveniently mention my interest to VA members, or PA or MD for that matter!) As for my son, he's 12 (the siblings are older and not ready to devote the time and effort to this kind of activity) and the only reason I was trying to involve him is because he has shown an incredible knack with animals on the whole and loves raptors. I would not be interested in him tagging along at first because I am going to learn the sport for ME (not to sound selfish, but it's a parental conflict to devote time to oneself as I am sure your aware of) but it is important that he understands the devotion necessary to be involved with the sport, and that it is not taking away from his time with me, but giving us something to share an interest in later if he remains interested. Funny how kids make you feel like you have to explain the things that take your attention from them...
Nice post Jon, Where are you from again, the new england area right?Well, i would have to say, if you keep at it you will eventually get someone to take you out hunting...Try and contat more than one person if at all possible and your chances of getting out will increase. i am going to have these two people sign my NAFA application, that is something to gt you more involved and something Tiercel78 recomended to me. I have been told by the people i know they ae going to try and get me into their club or something to that effect...it really trys on your stamina sometimes when all you want is to see some hawks fly, listen and watch how falconers handle their birds..etc and the season is short and no hunting in this state on sundays..i am going to see if i can meet up and go out with someone in new hampshire on a sunday by the way..well, i wouldn;t go spending my money even if i had any...just try and get involved through the ways jondarp recomemded and try to join some clubs..that is something i should have done earlier myself.
Your right, and believe me I am beating the bushes more and more actively! Thanks for the advice, all of you. I sincerely appreciate it!
You're in luck. The Virginia Falconers Association is holding a field meet in Harrisonburg, VA on January 28-30. I'm guessing that can't be more than an hour or two away from your location. This is a golden opportunity to make some contacts with falconers in your state.
Here's a link to their web site: vafalconry.swva.net/ That site gives all the information you'll need (e.g., directions, contact name, etc.).
I see that the club is also holding a field meet in Winchester, Va on February 25-27.
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson