Game pins

[kbrunner]

Hi folks - Long story short, I'm an aspiring novelist who is revising my book involving a teen boy who is an apprentice falconer and was wondering what, if any, special awards or game pins are given to apprentices at a hunting meet, and what qualifications would be considered to win said award. (Perhaps Most Quarry/ Most Improved?) If there isn't one, what would a young apprentice most aspire to accomplish at his first hunting meet? (Think: GOAL of the story - Kid wants to win xxxx more than anything in the world.)Thanks so much, KIM

[Weasel]

The only pins that are handed out are game pins that anyone can get for catching game at the North American Falconer Association annual meet. There is a different pin for several types of quarry such as the misc. pin, squirrel pin, rabbit pin etc... there is no award specifically for apprentices unless a local state falconry association decides one apprentice deserves one. In Texas, an apprentice on this list got a plaque that was for Apprentice of the year, but this was the first I had ever seen.

[kbrunner]

Thanks for the info. So if I wanted to "invent" a game pin for apprentices for my imaginary falconry club's annual meet, what categories do you think would be included? Catching the most quarry, most improved handling, best fitting homemade equipment? And who might judge this? I realize most of these categories would be hard to judge, as they're subjective, but just wondering what an apprentice might aspire to achieve at his first hunt. And the award pins that you mentioned, say the squirrel pin, is it awarded for catching the most of that category at that particular hunt? Thanks for bearing with me all.

If published, it's a book I hope most falconers would enjoy, even if everything isn't "completely" as it is in real life. Peace, KIM

[Mtnman]

As a second-year apprentice, I think I can throw an opinion your way.
One of the things I've noticed about every falconer I've met so far, is the LACK of competitive nature. That could be due to my limited experience, or maybe due to my geographic location, etc.
The falconers I've met are often more of what I would consider quiet, private individuals, who usually hunt on their own, with no real care for head-counts, or 'bragging rights". When hunts are discussed, I've heard details of how great the chase was, or how pretty the stoop was, or how the bird behaved, or even how different weather conditions helped or hindered. I've discussed numbers of squirrels or rabbits caught with my sponsor and a few others, but feel that it was more a barometer of how my handling and training was progressing, rather than prowess in the field...
The few meets I've attended so far were places to meet other falconers, share information, watch and learn about how other falconers do things, and how different birds hunt. I don't remember any awards issued, and didn't even consider that there might/should be some.
The biggest reward I can imagine is the one I've already recieved, and hope to continue forever. That is the awesome privilege of caring for and hunting with a living, breathing, free-flying bird of prey. I simply can't imagine anything that would top that.
As an apprentice though, I would say that I do look for the encouragement and approval of the more experienced falconers I talk with. First and foremost of course, is the approval of my sponsor! Without his freely given time and experience, I can't practice this awesome sport!
Remembering that his sponsorship is voluntary, and that it takes time to learn enough about a potential apprentice to agree to sponsor someone, I honestly don't think he would have even slightly considering sponsoring me if he thought I was going to enter into falconry to use it to compete.
The equipment we make is made to be safe and secure, and not injure the bird. Some of it is awful beautiful as well, but that takes a distant seat behind the more utilitarian aspects.

I really am not trying to knock down your ideas at all, just trying to give you a realistic view. If you are going to write a story that falconers will like, I think it needs to speak to them of the things they really feel, and not stray too far from that. Otherwise it will end up being one of those things you find reason to disagree with or challenge as it is read...

Other than that, I see you are from Arlington Heights! I grew up in Barrington, and my parents still live there! I had to get out of the city though, so moved up to Wisconsin. Now I just visit...

Phil

[kbrunner]

Thanks, Phil––you gave me some food for thought. I was fortunate to spend time taking falconry classes and going on hunts when I researched this book, and found a true kinship among falconers. I think that the comraderie exhibited amongst falconers is demonstrated in my novel. In fact, my apprentice does not win a game pin in my story, and instead, wins the respect of his dad, a master falconer, in the end. But as a teen boy, I thought his goal might be different at the start of his apprenticeship, in the true competitive nature of men. So I think I'll stick with what I have, a boy trying to win game pins at the start of the story, but in the end, realizes that the true joy of falconry is the relationship between man and hawk, and leave it at that. Thanks for helping me to see that I was right all along. Falconers truly are a rare and wonderful breed of people. KIM

[frootdog]

I could not agree more with what mntman said. However in my experience head counts are a big deal, but that only speaks volumes of the falconer. A large head count means that they fly almost every day, and have a very good bird. A large head count is a direct reflection of the falconer's dedication. NAFA used to give an award for the morst quarry taken during the meet. The competitive nature of the meets was discontinued in the late 70's early 80's I believe. The last year of the competive meets there were 2 men tied going into the final day of the meet. When one of the 2 went out to get his bird the next morning it had a very full crop (assumed to be fed up by the other falconer). So still wanting to fly and compete that day the falconer of the fed bird put his bird in a walk in freezer that I believe was below 0. The bird was not harmed, nor did it loose enough wieght to hunt that day. Of course the man came under great scrutiny for what he had done and to this day still feels awfull about what he did. And no I'm not exagerating this is a true story told to me by the falconer in question.

[kbrunner]

Incredible story, frootdog––thanks for sharing. It makes sense to me why they wouldn't give awards for most quarry anymore. But I'm still wondering why they give game pins and about some of the lingo falconers would use when discussing this aspect of falconry. Obviously "head count" comes into play. Does everyone who "catches" (is that the right word? kills? nabs?) a rabbit get a rabbit game pin, or only the one who gets the most rabbits? And would these game pins be something a falconer would be proud of, thus displaying them on his hunting hat, or something left in a drawer? Thanks for your time! KIM

[Mtnman]

Another aspect I thought of has to do with the "Sky Trials". I've heard of them, but haven't any idea what they are really about. Anybody have more info about them? Are they a competition? Or more of an exhibition?

I agree that head counts tell a valid story of how well trained a bird is, and how dedicated the falconer is. I don't believe they tell the whole story, but definately give important clues. Especially during the apprentice/sponsor stage, when the sponsor is trying to figure out whether the apprentice has the dedication required, and whether or not the apprentice is learning and applying the needed skills.

I know I am comparing my notes from last year to this season as a rough measure of improvement.

I think the outline for your story sounds good.

Phil

[frootdog]

Everyone at the NAFA meet who catches quarry w/ thier bird gets a game pin. You can get multiple game pins for differnt types of quarry, but only get 1 per type. Say you catch 5 rabbits, 3 rats, and a duck then you would get 1 rabbit pin, 1 misc pin, and 1 duck pin. It depends on the falconer how the pins are displayed. Some wear them on vests or hats. Some display them at home. I have sort of a memorial area on the mantle for my bird that was electrocuted and it includes her NAFA pins from last yera.

[kbrunner]

Thanks for all your input. I'm putting the final touches on the story this week and will mail it to the editor at Dial who requested my full manuscript. By the way, it's called Flip the Bird (my smartass apprentice names his Red-tail FLIP), so keep your fingers crossed for me! Smiles, KIM