I have just got my info packet and don't even have a sponsor yet, but I plan on getting on top of this and plan to be trapping a bird next trapping season. I am going to go a head and start making some of my equipment. How long do you all like to have your leashes, jesses both field and mew? I have a ton of paracord so this should not be an issue on materials.
I would focus on reading books right now and wait for a sponsor to give input about equipment. Most sponsors want to have the option of you doing it all their way when you are starting .
It is good to have an end to Journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the End. - Ernest Hemingway
While echo is correct on waiting for a sponsor, there isn't anything wrong with practicing or toying around with equipment. More experience with it never hurt anyone. The length of jesses will vary depending on the bird. As far as a leash goes, I had a 3' one for bigger birds and a 2' for smaller birds.