Becoming a Falconer

Alyssa Hurley with red-tail

The road to an apprentice falconry license is a long and winding one. There are things to do, places to go, people to see. To some, it seems like an impossible barrier. To others (like most of the folks in our organization) it is just a walk in the park. So if you are serious about doing falconry, and you've come this far, here are my "Tips for the Apprentice".

First: join the Texas Hawking Association and support your state club. I invite all who are interested to join, whether serious about doing falconry or just mildly interested. The THA is the only reason falconry is legal in Texas. The THA has worked hard over the years with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to negotiate some of the best falconry regulations in the country. In addition, we publish the "On The Wing," a quarterly magazine. We have an annual summer picnic, a squirrel meet, and the annual winter field meet.  These three events are great places to meet the officers and the membership of our club and maybe even a prospective sponsor. Our winter meet, usually held in Lubbock during January, is a premier state falconry meet. It attracts falconers from all over the country who enjoy flying their birds on our abundant small game and waterfowl. And it is a great place for newcomers to meet, talk, and hunt with falconers of all skill levels.

We also recommend joining the North American Falconers Association http://www.n-a-f-a.com/

Second:
 Read 'North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks' by Hal Webster and Frank Beebe.

Read this book BEFORE embarking on a quest to find a sponsor. It will answer most of the basic questions you will have, and it will show the person you hope to apprentice under, that you are serious about not wasting their time. An apprenticeship is a two year commitment at a minimum. You want to be a good student.

You also want to get familiar with falconry laws both federal and state. These are easily found with a google search.  As a falconer, you need to be good at seeking out information for yourself. Again, these regulations may seem complex, but your prospective sponsor will help answer any questions you may have. 

Third: 
Be patient, grasshopper! Take your time. You've waited your whole life to be a falconer, what is another season?  Becoming a competent falconer is a long process. If approached politely, most falconers don't mind showing interested persons' their birds and facilities. Find out who your falconry neighbors are. Find someone who lives close and get involved. Spend a season watching how they handle their birds. How they manage them. Spend some time flushing game for them. If approached in this manner, most falconers will be sponsoring you without you even asking. Please do not call a falconer you have never met and ask them to sponsor you over the phone. This hardly ever works. Trust me. There is no short cut. Finding a sponsor is about taking the time to learn about how someone else practices the sport.
Fourth: When it is all over and you have your first bird, hunt it everyday you can during the season. That's what falconry is all about.
If you're still interested, head on over to our officers page and contact one of our apprentice coordinators.

Good luck and good hawking,
More Information can be found at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

 

Contact information for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in regards to falconry permits:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
ATTN:WildLife Diversity Program
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, TX 78744
Texas Raptor Proclamation:(Adobe Acrobat format)