My suggestion would be to contact your state DNR for a falconry packet and then join your state falconry club and get out to some meets. There's a much greater likelihood that you'd find someone by putting forth the effort to get out and beat the brush for them. Good luck! -Joby
I would suggest to any that are interested in falconry to attned the winter meet this coming Jan 24, 2009 near Syt. Louis...the information is up on the MFA website or you can ask any other local falconers from Missouri (myself, Falcon Girl, Kurt, Bob Dale0 about it as well....getting in touch with the MFA is a awesome way of finding a sponsor...thats how I got mine..
Why thank you! I will be making a trip down there sooner or later and Misty is on this board as well....you are welcome to come along on a hunt whenever that happens to be able to see a hawk in action....if you are interested then PM me and we can come up with a weekend to get together.... : )
I would suggest to any that are interested in falconry to attned the winter meet this coming Jan 24, 2009 near Syt. Louis...the information is up on the MFA website or you can ask any other local falconers from Missouri (myself, Falcon Girl, Kurt, Bob Dale0 about it as well....getting in touch with the MFA is a awesome way of finding a sponsor...thats how I got mine..
I would love to attend this event, but I've been all over the MFA website and have been unable to find any info. Idk, maybe right under my nose. Anyways, if ya'll could give me some more info I'd sure be interested in attending!
Also, does anyone know how long you have to wait to retake the test here in MO if by chance you don't pass? And no, I haven't failed it... yet
Chigger- haha, I checked the site too, and didn't find any info on it either! I heard about the meet from Meagan a few weeks back...maybe it's just a small meet that they didn't think about listing?? Or maybe they've been too busy to update the site cause they're all out hawkin'!
Bridget
EDIT- oops! forgot to add this: The first time I took my federal exam, I failed with a 79 when you NEED an 80 to pass. They made me wait 60 days to retake the exam. Second time I took it, I got an 84 and passed.
Good luck with your test!!
Last Edit: Dec 29, 2008 20:46:28 GMT -5 by Bridget
"Falconry is not a hobby or an amusement; it is a rage. You eat and drink it, sleep it and think it. You tremble to write of it, even in recollection. It is as King James the First remarked, an extreme stirrer up of passions." --- T.H. White
Chigger- Good question! I borrowed my sponsor's one book called NAFAHH and I also bought the CHC study guide. I passed on my second try with those two books..hopefully you'll pass on your first!
Bridget
"Falconry is not a hobby or an amusement; it is a rage. You eat and drink it, sleep it and think it. You tremble to write of it, even in recollection. It is as King James the First remarked, an extreme stirrer up of passions." --- T.H. White
Sorry about not putting up the info...I got an email sent out to me by Mindy Batsch, the vice-pres of MFA....I will post its contents below:
The first field meet will be January 24th, 2009 in O'fallon, Missouri. Please mark your calendars! We will meet at the IHOP on Hwy K and I70 at 7:00 am. Contact an officer or email me @ mofalconer@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Contact cell numbers:
****Phone numbers removed by admin*****
I hope that helps...if you are able to go let me know....but I am still planning on going down to your area soon....and about studying...I passed with an 80...the test is really old and some things are outdated. But I ordered the CHC Study Guide and made flash cards for each and every single question within that book and then carried them around everywhere with me...mixing them up and such. I also used the online study guide that is linked within this forum under "general"...its highly helpful. Anyway ;Ds if you have any other questions let me know....
-Meg-
Last Edit: Jan 3, 2009 21:53:46 GMT -5 by Falcon Boy
Post by moredtailboy on Jan 2, 2009 20:50:17 GMT -5
Chigger who you need to contact is mike mallet hes an actual active falconer hes the secretary and he is the one that helps the new apprentices PM me or call me for his contact info ill see you at the meet.
well now there a bird in the mew im happy now the bunny slaying beggins
Well, took my test today. I can't believe that the State of Missouri is still using a test that was written with a typewriter! I think I did okay, but there were so many questions that appeared to be completely random and not part of any of the material that I had been studying. Furthermore, I surely would have expected questions that were truly important for an apprentice to know the answers to, seemed like a lot of questions wasted on information that would be way down the road for a future apprentice. I'm not bitter, I do think I probably passed, but I also seriously think that MDC needs to consider updating that poor test!
Nieko, I'd love to go on a hunt! Meagan has also invited me to hunt with her and I am most eager to get together with anyone and everyone willing to let me tag along. Where exactly is it up north that you're at? My dad lives in IA so I do travel that way periodically.
Can anyone help me to answer these test questions? Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated!!!
1. Why is hacking not as important in modern American falconry as it is in European falconry? One option was something about American species not needing to be hacked as much as euro species. I don't remember any of the other options
2. What is the best way to store moulted feathers for future imping? One option was in a dry box with mothballs Another option was spray with oil and store in jar of water. I don't remember the other two options
3. If you are from the south and have a RT and you are going to a meet in South Dakota in the winter time, what should you do to prepare your bird for the cold? One option was more feed, but I didn't think that would be good considering you want your bird to come back. Another option was coating the legs and feet with goose grease. I don't remember the other two options
4. If you want to protect an eyrie from mammalian predation, you should? One option was saturate the area with human scent Another option was scatter mothballs around the base of the tree. I don't remember the other two options
1. All the birds in the uk are captive bred so they don't know how to hunt like a wild caught bird. They hack them to physically condition them and to let them figure out hunting on their own. Usually I think imprints in the uk are hacked.
2. I keep all mine in zip-lock bags
3. More food to tolerate the cold, the more weight on the bird helps to contol body temp, birds use more energy to keep warm when its cold.
4. Mothballs around the base of the tree to mask the human scent. Human scent will attract racoons or other predators to the nest.