Apprentice questions

[arti]

Hi,
What is the procedure in US for Falconry then regarding keeping the bird?
I am from England and you can go out buy,trap a bird fly it with no rules and regulations.
I actually find this a bad thing but was just interested what the procedure is in the States?

Cheers ;D

[Weasel]

Well, I'll give you a breif run down of the proccesses involved with getting and keeping a Raptor in the US. First of all let me state that each state varies on the severity of the regulations set forth by the United Stated Fish and Wildlife Department (USFW). First thing that needs to happen here in Texas is the prospective apprentice needs to located a falconer in the area to talk with, hunt with and eventually be sponsored by. Once a falconer is found that is willing to sign the sponsorship form, you will need to start studying for the federal test that will be administered which must be passed with at least an 80%. After that is done, a mews must be built with a minimum of 8x8x8 in size(actual fed guidelines require less) A game warden comes to the house to inspect the facilities and all of you equipment such as glove hood bells anklets jesses etc... once that is complete, the state will send you your permit and the feds will send their's too. Once both are in hand, you will need to wait until the trapping season which starts in mid September here and you get to trap your first bird.....then you live happily ever after blah, blah, blah......

[slicedodger]

When I took my falconry exam it was the blah, blah, blah part that gave me the hardest time. I think I missed every question in that section of the test.

[kenbro77]

Weasel,
I called the state to make arangements to take the test and she would not talk to me about it till I build my mews and have all the required equipment. I thaught you could do every thing after the test but she told me no. Should I try again or just wait. I as you know already have a sponsor and will start builing the mews next week. Already have some of the equipment (thanks to THA raffle) way to go frootdog.

[frootdog]

That is NOT true. You have to take the test FIRST AND pass before getting inspected. If you indeed spoke to jennifer and that is what she told you then you need to consult with either your Northern Director of club Pres. Call me if you have any questions.

[wilded]

I was required to have all my equipment and my mews built before I took the exam. That is the normal process in Texas at this time. ET

[kenbro77]

Okay now I am confused. Both of you are from Texas but with differant answers.

[wilded]

I had to pass the test before my inspection. I also was required to have all my equipment and mews built before I was allowed to test. ET

[kenbro77]

wilded said:

I had to pass the test before my inspection. I also was required to have all my equipment and mews built before I was allowed to test. ET

I don't understand. How are you required to have all your equipment and mews before you test, but not inspected till after you test. I would they know if you have it till you are inspected. And yes weasel it appears that Texas is the most confusing. I read all the time where people get packets from there state. I was told to download every thing off the internet.

[wilded]

Real simple. I was told to contact Jennifer back when everything was built and ready for inspection and she would then administer the test, which she did. I was then scheduled for an inspection. If you are serious there is no problem getting your mews and gear done.

[kenbro77]

seriousness is not the question, any one who knows me knows i am serious. I just want to follow proper procedure. but that is hard to do when most people do not know what the procedure is. I have already gotton most of my equipment. I have also put $2000.00 worth of lumber in my back yard. I am just waiting for the city permit to build my mew. Yes I am serious.

[ccrobbins]

Dodes tested long before his facilities were completed. I had everything done before I had an official sponsor. Jen told me that the order was sponsor, then test, then inspection. I was never told that I could not test until I had eveything though.

[Dodes]

ccrobbins said:

Dodes tested long before his facilities were completed. I had everything done before I had an official sponsor. Jen told me that the order was sponsor, then test, then inspection. I was never told that I could not test until I had eveything though.

I took the test WAY before I had my facilities up. And I think that's the way it's been with all of my sponsor's apprentices. I have no idea why it's been so different among the TX apprentices, but I think it's a good idea if we stay on Jennifer's good side.

[frootdog]

Be very care what y'all say in these threads regarding those who are in charge of permits. Part of what they do is lurk on these bulliten boards and gather info to use against us. You may want to consider deleteing some of the posts in this thread.

[tarletonhuntress]

HAHAHA Yeah I'm also to that stage. Just got the last stuff for the mews which SHOULD be done this weekend. But I think tarleton has a gamewarden on Campus ;-) heheheehe I hope its true I'll be finding out Monday if not I'll be calling our regional office in Waco and play sweet and innocent O:-)