Post by robhawkyyz on Oct 11, 2011 20:11:01 GMT -5
falconers are usually keep to them self type people, for the protection of their hawk and interest and for reasons that have been stated here. once you are inspected, licensed , there is not much they can do unless you are doing something wrong. keeping a low profile, equipment and facilities in great condition and everything will be unnoticed.. i know it's hard to do with a hawk on your fist but, fly low and beat the radar...
falconers are usually keep to them self type people, for the protection of their hawk and interest and for reasons that have been stated here. once you are inspected, licensed , there is not much they can do unless you are doing something wrong. keeping a low profile, equipment and facilities in great condition and everything will be unnoticed.. i know it's hard to do with a hawk on your fist but, fly low and beat the radar...
I'd say that's part of our problem. Keeping to ourselves and not opening up about falconry. It makes it almost secretive, as if we're some fraternity up to no good. I'm not saying we need to hold rallies and walk around with T-shirts that say 'I fly hawks and falcons, talk to me.' but we shouldn't be hiding the bird and what we do. Keeping to the shadows makes us look guilty (IMO). For the most part, I've had very positive experiences with sharing falconry with the community. Even people who start off slightly aggressive or with a bad attitude toward falconry tend to leave with a better idea of what we do. The more educated the people are, the less ignorance-related problems we have to deal with.
I tend to agree. If my hawk is out on my fist as I am walking back to my truck after a hunt and someone drives or walks by. If I where to quickly hide the hawk and shove it into my giant hood and drive off most people would think I doing something illegal, and don't want them to see what it is. Since I live in a smaller town I would no doubt have a local deputy at my door within a couple of hours. I have on a couple of occasions had someone stop and comment on how beautiful the hawk is. And even ask what I do with her. I answer their questions adding that i have permits to do this at the federal and state level. and they drive off satisfied thanking me for letting get a close look at the bird and I am on my way.
Last Edit: Oct 12, 2011 11:55:43 GMT -5 by nanahawk
Post by Falcon Boy on Oct 12, 2011 13:06:23 GMT -5
I think a lot of it depends on where you live. If you live on the east coast, you get a lot of Anti's. A least I ran into my fair share. There is a difference between being public, being sneaky, and minding your own buisiness. Personally, I just mind my own buisiness. A lot of my land now is public and so I run into the gun hunters and farmers who are there from time to time. If i have my bird on the fist in the middle of the field, i just act normal, keep walking. I had a 25minute coversation with a quail hunter a few weeks ago and he never once brought up the hawk on my fist. At the same time, passing cars are a different story. Turning your body to shield your bird looks natural if you're "doing something" and thus nobody stops. If you look like you don't belong, people will question. if you just mind your own buisiness, people will generally leave you alone. At least that's my experience.
Falcon Boy Apprentice Falconry Administrator
Ethics make the individual, not the other way around.
Post by robhawkyyz on Oct 12, 2011 19:56:30 GMT -5
educate all you can, some will get some wont, and some don't care and don't like what you are doing, i have had someone tell me " your bird killed my dog" because they have never seen a bird like the redtail i was putting in my vehicle... or " that bird should be free" yet their kids are in trouble with the law . some people these days don't know there are earthworms in the dirt and worry about things they don't know or care about. so.. fly low and beat the radar , it's still a good idea.. and i live in Texas too..
Last Edit: Oct 12, 2011 21:30:56 GMT -5 by robhawkyyz
I think a lot of it depends on where you live. If you live on the east coast, you get a lot of Anti's. A least I ran into my fair share. There is a difference between being public, being sneaky, and minding your own buisiness. Personally, I just mind my own buisiness. A lot of my land now is public and so I run into the gun hunters and farmers who are there from time to time. If i have my bird on the fist in the middle of the field, i just act normal, keep walking. I had a 25minute coversation with a quail hunter a few weeks ago and he never once brought up the hawk on my fist. At the same time, passing cars are a different story. Turning your body to shield your bird looks natural if you're "doing something" and thus nobody stops. If you look like you don't belong, people will question. if you just mind your own buisiness, people will generally leave you alone. At least that's my experience.
To add to that. I live in Texas. In most places here hunting is accepted as the norm. If someone is not a hunter themselves. They have friends or relatives that are. Hunting season is a big deal. Bow, crossbow, shotgun, rifle, pistol it matters not. So it's not a big leap that a bird could be used instead.
I could understand if I still lived in L.A. (California). Where hunting is going to the market to get a nice steak. I would not be accepted in the same way I am here. And as a result I would have to change my M.O.