falconry

[homegrown terror]

if i ever get a house with a big yard, the first thing i'm doing is buying an american kestrel.

[teeneythebetta]

AW how cute :)

[Olympia]

They seriously just let anyone buy raptors in America?
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[homegrown terror]

Originally Posted by Olympia

They seriously just let anyone buy raptors in America?
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you need a falconry permit, but as long as you can provide for the bird's well-being and show that you know how to responsibly keep it, you can get one fairly easily. kestrels are native birds, so they're not classed as exotics or anything.

[Olympia]

So you don't need to have a two year apprenticeship under an expert in the states? :/
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[homegrown terror]

Originally Posted by Olympia

So you don't need to have a two year apprenticeship under an expert in the states? :/
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i'm not sure...i think there's more stringent standards if you want to hunt with them, or be part of an organisation. this thread was mostly just idle wishing on my part though...i've dreamed of having a pet kestrel for years. every time i've seen one at bird shows and whatnot, their owners have described them as having these amazing personalities like flying cats, and as far as beautiful animals they're VERY high up there on my list.

[Olympia]

Alright I'll stop there cause I'm part of the group that believes these are hunting partners, not pets. :p
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[homegrown terror]

Originally Posted by Olympia

Alright I'll stop there cause I'm part of the group that believes these are hunting partners, not pets. :p
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because captive falcons are still too wild for a lot of human interaction?

[ThePearlFish]

I have also had a dream of owning a "falcon" of some some sort to keep and do some falconry with..maybe one day when I'm not poor and have some land..-daydream-

[Olympia]

No, not that. Harris hawks actually form close bonds, being the only social raptor in nature. I just think it's fair to them, to be worked with and hunted with, I don't know. Hunters spend hours a day training their birds, rain or shine. I can't really describe it, but every falconer I've read about says stuff like reducing such a magnificent animal to a pet is a shame to the bird, everyone talks about their grace, it's almost mythological I guess.
I never found anyone to train me close enough to my town, that's about as far as I got. Hallyx on this forum actually hunted with them for many years, I know.
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