Beginner

[hoovereport]

hope you dont mind me asking questions since i really dont know anything yet about falconry. how many birds should one start with and what type of hawk do you recommend? what are the types of animals falcons hunt? do they work in a group or individual? thanks

[Weasel]

Hello Hoovereport,
As any questions you want, but first you must give us a bit of info such as what state you live in (or country). Assuming you are in the US, you will need to follow a long list of "things to do" before getting a bird. You will need a sponsor to become an apprentice, then you will need to build the facilities and equipment, then you will need to pass a government test with 80% or better....Then you get to trap your bird out of the wild.
As an apprentice you are only allowed one bird and it must be one of two birds (or three depending on the state your in) a Red tailed hawk, an american Kestrel, or a red shouldered hawk. Most apprentices choose the red tail as it is a great all around bird that takes a wide variety of game and is very robust in nature. The types of game can vary, but most often the two species of game taken with a red tail are rabbits and squirrels. Falcons typicaly take ducks or upland game such as pheasant, prairie chicken etc.......but, sky is the limit if you give the bird the right oppurtunity. The only birds we use in falconry that commonly fly together are the Harris's hawks, but others more experienced falconers have trained other species to work together. For a beginner in the UK, I would suggest getting either a red tail or a harris's hawk. Starting with a falcon can be a bit tricky at best.

[hoovereport]

hi weasel. my name's anton and i'm from manila, philippines. i don't think we have any laws regarding falconry or owning a bird of prey. i think thefirst stumbling black is where to get a hawk around here but i havent done any research so maybe we have hawks here. i believe there are a handful of falconeers here inthe islands although i have to find out the name of their club and how to get to them. i find this sport very interesting and very exciting as well. thanks for the response and inputs

[berkutchi]

Hi Hoovereport,contact your local mayor to ask about the rules if any on owning a Bird of Prey and falconry/hunting,i know in Thailand this is one way it is done there and its in youre part of the world and they use Hawk Eagles;

Regards

[anka]

Hello Hoovereport

I go and read this link from time to time to keep track of how things are going with your national bird, since I'm such a big admirer and I understand that there endangered . It would be a good place to start to get involved at least with conservations efforts, and definitely getting responses to the many questions you should have about the birds of prey in your country and the possibilities of using any for Falconry . And obviously I believe they could probably give you some guidance in regards to the rules and regulations that cover birds of prey in your home land. They have been working with such animals for a very long time , they should be able to shed some light . Good luck and take care.

www.philippineeagle.org/

[hawklad]

hi there the best thing to do is do lots of reding and dont rush into things take care welcome to the forum

[hoovereport]

thanks yall for the response. i'll brush up on some reading and try to figure things out first before getting a bird. its great to be on this forum btw are there any books you could recommend for beginners?

[anka]

Here are some good books that I would look at. I own them and have learned a lot from these books.

Falconry Basic a hand book for beginners By Tony Hall

The complete falconer By Frank L Beebe

Falconry and hawking By Phillip Glasier

Understanding the bird of prey By Nick Fox

Birds of prey health and disease By John E. Cooper

Falconry Equipment By Brian Kimsey And Jim Hodge

There are also some good apprentice guides from falconer clubs in different parts of the United States. I'll let the USA guy's make the recommendations for you on those. Hope this helps, have fun reading these and the rest of the recommendations you'll receive. Take care and good luck

[hoovereport]

Thanks ANKA i'll check out those books and order them

[hawklad]

if i was you i would add emma ford art and practace to its a great book a must have dont no if its the same over there

[colohen]

hawklad said:

if i was you i would add Emma ford art and practice to its a great book a must have

Very good Hawklad
Emma Fords is my first pick along with Nick Fox videos .

Hooverport
Most popular starting birds are in the Buteo family such as the Red-Tail Hawk and Harris Hawk but there are no Buteo families in the Philippines . The main Island where you are has several spices of eagles , not real good chose for some one just starting out .
Some of the smaller Islands have Kestrels , I am not real keen on Kestrel's for starting birds because weight control is so sensitive and ther's a couple other falcon species I am not sure of ??
There is , however , one bird in your area , that is not on the endangered list ( that I know of and if your laws will allow falconry ) one which might make a good start for you , the Crested Goshawk ? However , I would advise caution with any Accipiter's , they are very high strung !
I have heard of hobby's being used in falconry . also native to your island but I know very little about them .
Good Luck ! ! !


K]n

[hawklad]

ok thankyou for the info

[hoovereport]

thanks for helping out colohen. i will look into those goshawks and see where one can get them. yes i think we have laws prohibiting the use of endangered species like the philippine monkey eagle although i have no plans of getting one ebven if one is available because it might kill me lol ;D i am also trying to get in touch with a group that's into falconry here because i am certain there is one.