Today at work we began our fall workshop which is a few days of speakers and relaxing and improving ourselves and our work relationships. Today's speaker is one of the new directors in our division and he also happens to be a fairly well-known falconer in these parts. I don't know what role he played but he was quite involved with the Utah Sky Trials this last year that I went. Anyway, his topic was on building trust, and unlike most people who use an anaolgy and relate it to their topic, he spent 70% of the time on falconry and 30% on relating it to building trust in human relationships. So of course I was grinning like a kid in a candy shop! He had 3 of his 4 birds with him. A passage caught prairie falcon, a peregrine raised from an eyas, and a gyr-peregrine hybrid he recently acquired. All beautiful birds.
Needless to say my concentration was blown for the day after that presentation. I'm really itching to get a bird now. I was hoping my sponsor or one of his pigeon buddies might happen upon a Cooper's hawk that I could trap but I may just go scratch my itch with a kestrel. I'd like to do it right and longer term this time.
Hey Gary. My name is Zane and I am Spencer Mcnaughtons cousin. How is it that you are a general falconer and you can get a coop's?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what your question is, Zane. But to clarify, I'm an apprentice falconer, not general. I have until June of next year to complete my two year apprenticeship. Regardless, a cooper's hawk is a valid falconry bird in Utah for any class of license.
ReplyDeleteHelp me understand what you're after and I can give you a better answer.
Hi, I am not after a bird quite yet but the fact that you can get a coopers when you are an apprentice is awesome! I want to become and apprentice falconer and I have most of the equipment required for a red-tail. I might want to start out with a coopers.
ReplyDeleteZane
Zane, I found your blog and see that you're preparing. Definitely learn as much as you can and follow what your sponsor advises. In order to pass the test and for keeping up to date on the laws, make sure you read the Utah Falconry Rule found here: wildlife.utah.gov/rules/R657-20.php That's where you'll find what birds are legal for each class of license.
ReplyDeleteAs far as starting with a Cooper's hawk, I hear they're a handful. But if your sponsor thinks it's a good place to start then good luck to you!
Hey gary could you post pics of your mews?
ReplyDelete