Post by Connecticut Falconry Help on Sept 23, 2005 16:15:19 GMT -5
First off, im new to the forum and Id like to take the opertunity to say high to you all.
After reading on several different sites and the wealth of knowledge ive obtained form here, I took the recomended route to contacting my Connecticut Dept. of Wild Life Conservation and came up with more information.
I talked to the DEP and they gave me the # to Laury Fortin and told me she was active in promoting Falconry in CT since this is the first official hunting season this fall/ winter. From her, she trasnfered me over to John Darpino and I realized that he is on this forum which was such a coincidence.
I was wondering what I should do to start out first. Take the exam after studying the New York study guide or should I find a sponsor in New York since its closer to where I live.
Any advice would be great on where to go from my present stand point.
Welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of excellent general information on falconry here (especially for people just getting started). For general falconry information, I'll defer to the more experienced people on this forum - FB, Wolf, Wes, etc.
I am by no means an expert, but I can help you withsome of the Connecticut-specific information. As you've already learned, this will be the first legal falconry season in CT.
Laurie Fortin, a Wildlife Biologist at the D.E.P., will be the falconry program coordinator and is the "go-to" person at the D.E.P. I wouldn't say that she actively promotes falconry in the state, but she is the one to talk to about state regulations, etc.
I'm assuming that you are at least 14 years of age and have a driver's license (or have parents who are willing to drive you), haven't been convicted of violating the falconry laws and regulations of any state or the federal government within a 5-year period, have a valid CT hunting license and are interested in actively hunt wild game.
A good place to start would be the section on the D.E.P. web site that deals with falconry in Connecticut (in case you haven't already gotten that information). The link is: dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/fguide/falconry.htm
The web page has some good basic information about what you will need to do obtain a falconry permit in CT. You can also download and print a copy of the CT falconry regs from there.
If you've already done that, your best best would be to try to contact some experienced falconers in New York (since you indicated that it's the closest to your location) and try to get out in the field with them this season as often as you can. Once people get to know you, and see that you have a legitimate interest in the sport of falconry, it will be easier to approach someone about sponsoring you when the time comes. It may take a little time and you should plan on getting out with falconers for at least one season before asking someone to sponsor you.
There's no reason you can't also study for the exam in the meantime. I believe Laurie is now offering the exams by appointment. Just make sure that you study the Connecticut regs well (in addition to the New York State study guide) as there are several questions on the exam dealing with CT regs. I also found the falconry exam simulator on the Online Falconry web site to be helpful in preparing for the CT exam. The link to that web site is:
I have no more Experience then you Jon. We just have diffrent ways of saying the same thing
Well you're one up on me as you've flown a falconry bird (or two) - something I have yet to do.
I've learned a lot from you young whippersnappers on this forum. :-)
Seriously, I've been very impressed with the level of maturity and responsibility that I've seen by many of the young people on this forum. I hope my son demonstrates a similar level of responsibility as he makes his way through his teen years.
- The Old Codger in CT (AKA Jon D.)
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; give him a religion................ and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish."
Hey guys jsut wanted to let you know I got the New York Falconry examination booklet and the study guide after paying the $2 fee for out of state requests. These two booklets are great and are going to be very helpful.
Johndarp.....thats for letting me know about these booklets, they are going to be a big help since CT dosnt have these yet. Thanks again.
Hey guys jsut wanted to let you know I got the New York Falconry examination booklet and the study guide after paying the $2 fee for out of state requests. These two booklets are great and are going to be very helpful.
Johndarp.....thats for letting me know about these booklets, they are going to be a big help since CT dosnt have these yet. Thanks again.
Stefan,
Glad to hear that you got the study guide and that you're finding it helpful.
Have you made contact with any falconers in New York yet?
"In matters of style, swim with the current. In matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson