14 year old falconry question.

[paytonm]

Hey, i'm taking the falconry test in August and i'm 14 and was wondering, because i'm 14 am I able to trap a hawk yet? Regs say it's 14, but I just wanted to know if I can get a trapping permit if i'm a 14 year old apprentice. thanks.

[chad13dnvr (DBH)]

Jul 19, 2010 13:23:30 GMT -5 paytonm said:

Hey, i'm taking the falconry test in August and i'm 14 and was wondering, because i'm 14 am I able to trap a hawk yet? Regs say it's 14, but I just wanted to know if I can get a trapping permit if i'm a 14 year old apprentice. thanks.

Once you have your license in hand you can start trapping. If it's trapping season that is.

[redtail176]

I have a question what if you dont want to trap one
Can i just buy one

[oldguy]

Jun 29, 2011 22:43:43 GMT -5 redtail176 said:

I have a question what if you dont want to trap one
Can i just buy one

Why wouldn't you want to experience the thrill of trapping your own bird ?
As stated in another thread, its one of the most exiting things a falconer can do before training starts.

We in North America have a rare priviledge that falconers in The UK and Europe often don't have. We can go out and take a wild bird that has never been touched by human hands and form a partnership with it.

Don't deprive yourself of that wonderful feeling.

If you can drive, you can trap. If you can't drive yet, go with your sponsor. Might be required anyway. If you are near Southern ID, call me and I'll find a way to go out with you. Its like a drug only legal and a way better "high" !

Good luck. Dan.

[ocredneck]

I'm also 14 but don't have a sponsr yet. he had a good question maybe someone should answer it (though I myself will trap he may have some reasons).

[redtail176]

How do you trap a red tail hawk

[SkyRider]

Redtail, check out www.themodernapprentice.com.

It is full of basic information (including trapping) that will give you a very solid foundation in falconry terms, techniques and practices.

[redtail176]

Wow i looked and seen how much to start it says it cost 3,950 dollars
Is that to much?
Idk if it is the right course

[SkyRider]

Try reading the information on these links... They explain it much better than I can.

www.themodernapprentice.com/beginning.htm

www.themodernapprentice.com/fundamentals.htm

www.themodernapprentice.com/becoming.htm

After reading these, you should have a much better understanding of what falconry costs and how to get licensed.

[echotadog]

Jun 29, 2011 22:43:43 GMT -5 redtail176 said:

I have a question what if you dont want to trap one
Can i just buy one

NO

[Deleted]

I dont think an apprentice can buy one because I believe only imprinted birds can be sold, and apprentice cannot have an imprinted bird (in Washington State anyways).

Somone can transfer a passage bird to you (assuming in your state you can have that bird) or you can trade a bird for a bird (again assuming you can have that bird per your permit).

But I am not sure about your state. But I agree with everyone that says to catch one anyways. You work so hard to study and learn. Why blow all that hard work on just getting one handed to you. We've got to go through so much on our own, I wouldnt want to cheapen it by having somone do the fun part, what we were studying for for me. If that makes sense.

[collioperigrine]

I'm wondering, on the test what do they test you on i have really been wanting to get into falconry and I'm turning 14 in a month. and i was going to study and study and study until i can start moving out. i cant do it at my house with my parents because my dad has to use a dialysis machine because his kidney is failing and when he gets a new one he needs to take this medication that gets rid of your immune system and one cold could kill you. so i cant have a hawk/falcon or anything be one while I'm living with them.

[collioperigrine]

also what can i read or print to help me with studying?

[threetoe]

FYI
Trapping is some of the VERY BEST part of Falconry. IMO

The test?

Try your library first.

There is no easy way to study for this test because every state administers a different one.

The web site "The Modern Apprentice" is an awesome resource. Lydia has put together a wonderful educational tool.

Learn the Raptor diseases, their names and causes, diagnosis, prognosis, treatments and prevention.
Read about Falconry's long and rich History.
Study and know the different raptors, their looks in the sky, habits, life expectancies and ranges.
Learn the odd language of Falconers. we speak a different language. ;-)
KNOW YOUR STATE AND FEDERAL FALCONRY LAWS!

California's test is doable.

[killjoy]

To answer your question you will have to read my rant.
That question, can I just buy one, is the scariest question.
To not use what is free is just pure lazy.
As said earlier, trapping is one of the most educational and reveiling parts of falconry, why wouldn't you go?
In school you look forward to the field trip, this is the best field trip of all, you come home with a prize!!!!
You will see thing you never though of, experience sights and sounds of the wild you never new existed, and learn about your town, city, state.
It scares me when that is one of the apprentices first question.
Things to consider.
As an apprentice you have no idea what you are getting into, and at your young age you are bound to family obligations.
It is illegal to knowingly release a purchased bird.
So if you have to move, or give up falconry due to grades or something, you would have to sell the bird. With such a small community, you cannot put this bird on eBay or craigslist.

Now to answer your question.
Under the new federal regs, an apprentice CAN buy a bird.
BUT!!!!!!
it depends on the state also.
In Texas we adopted the regs with one caveat, an apprentice CAN buy a bird, but unless he or she traps a bird for the minimum of 2 years, they cann ot upgrade to general.

Meaning if you buy a bird as an apprentice you cannot up grade until you trap a bird for 2 years.

Not all states have been as generous.
so please check your state regulations to make sure.
If your state has not adopted the regs yet join the state club and let them know how you would like the regs to be adopted.