just went on my first hunt with my first bird...it was not a successful outing in many ways unfortunately...but im learning , my bird came home with me, and next time will be better...AND ps...I love all that you do for the community Ben. It's largely because of you that I even tried this crazy sport
Massachusetts still limits apprentices to a red-tail or kestrel. I'm fine with that though, the ability to release a bird after a season or two is key for me personally. Thanks as always Ben and Happy New Year!
4 things to consider when choosing 04:20 1 The area you live in 04:35 2 Quarry availability 5:40 3 Flight style / telemetry needed? 07:50 4 Time commitment 09:35 7:15 Falconry (general) rule: “A falconer will always have the best success if you fly a bird native to your area and you hunt it on quarry that it would naturally hunt and quarry that is readily available in your area.” 09:05 Generally accepted: A red tailed hawk, a harris hawk and an American Kestral can be flown relatively safely without telemetry.
Really enjoyed todays video, Texas is still in the dark ages on apprentice bird choices. Interestingly, this is the second year in a row I have had to not pursue my license as, I have had to travel extensively for work and there was no way I could properly care for a bird. Maybe 2023 will afford me the ability to not have to travel for work, And the 3rd year of preparing will make my test easier😅. I hope all viewing this video will sincerely take the time issue seriously.
Thank you. It is encouraging to hear of possibly flying something besides a RT. Nothing against RTs. I am just more of a bird hunter. Thanks again for the great videos.
Hey Ben, with the move to smaller birds for some folks due to conditions out west here, I’d really like to see you do a comparison of a Barbary vs an aplomado. More of a dove/quail hawking bird but with a falcon temperament - and poop trajectory haha. I’ve flown a gyrmado, seen aplos fly, never seen a Barbary.
I live in italy and I am looking to get into falconry in the future, here tho most people fly harris hawks from the start because they are “easy” (seems like they are the only option that’s even considered in most of europe) and working with larger birds or large falcons (outside of trainers who use falconry techniques for educational displays) is getting really rare, because of the small variety of quarry and territory available (mostly good for hunting from the fist but only a few dedicated falconers here use accipiters, most just end up with HHs and buzzards are just not a thing unless its for conservation work. Some keep falcons but its becoming difficult to find proper open areas for them). I love harris hawks they are amazing and making the sport more accessible to people but they’re becoming the standard and It would be lovely to see other birds in action. I wanted to add that I really like the system to get into it you have in the US, here its easy to buy a hawk without the experience needed or proper housing for it (potentially ending up with a non native bird escaping) and hunting regulations are the same that apply to gun hunters :(
When I started 33 years ago, in Georgia and for the majority of the U.S., one could also start with a red shouldered hawk, and in Alaska you could start with a goshawk.
My great grandfather used to do falconry, I’ve been interested since I was little after reading my side of the mountain and have decided to do some research on it and even gotten myself some books on the subject
I think it's interesting that some states allow non native raptors as apprentice birds, such as Kentucky allowing Harris Hawks. I'm guessing they've done that because of the Harris Hawk's famously intelligent and cooperative nature, so apprentices are more likely to see success with a Harris than a lot of other species.
Harris Hawks are far from a beginners bird! They are so intelligent that they are always a few steps ahead of you!!! In return the apprentice falconer will not get to learn what he/she would learn with another species of bird.
Hello Ben, I'm from the Czech Republic and here you have a lot of conditions to become a falconer, for example: game keeping exams, falconry exams, membership in game keeping and falconry clubs, 1 year of being mentored etc. I was wondering what is it like in America? Our recommended first birds are common kestrel or common buzzard, but we have a lot of Harris Hawks as first birds.
Yes it is very much a hard thing to get into. Study, Hunting license, study, falconry license, apprenticeship for a long time, 3 levels to licensing (you must spend much time to achieve the next level, 5 years for a masters license where I am I believe)
But what about in falconry outside America? On the other side of the world, I think there are much wider range of first birds to choose from in the old world and in central America and south America. Plus I like to know which bird has both positive and negative attributes of both Red-Tail Hawks & American Kestrel.
Thanks, so much, Ben, for this information & your criteria.👍 I volunteer at a sanctuary & am learning a lot, handling many raptors; thinking about getting more involved with Falconry; but, not to be undertaken lightly. Fantasizing about having my own raptor 🤩..at age 68! 😂 Your insight, experience and knowledge is very helpful & much appreciated. 🥰👍
I live in American Fork, UT. I live right next to a golf course with ponds that almost always have ducks and geese. From our house we see Bald Eagles occasionally and in spring we usually see Osprey. There is a park 1/2 a mile away with a wooded area where I've seen Cooper's Hawks and beyond that a farm I've seen an occasional Great Horned Owl, Red Tail Hawk, or Kestrel. Along a bike path in that area I often see quail. We also get lots of Starlings. I am interested in Falconry, but I am questioning the time commitment. I work full time and have little flexibility in my schedule. For my situation, what bird would be a good choice requiring the least amount of time and how much time would it take? I would guess it would work better for me to get a passage bird in the Fall and release it in the Spring just due to my work schedule. Thoughts?
I would like to add one more to that list of conditions and that is who you are learning from. I knew Frank Beebe and would not be my first choice if I wanted a redtail, and I've known others who redtails were the only birds they understood. So along with game, terrain and weather conditions, who your journeyman is makes a difference.
I have moved out of USA for nearly 2 years but last time I checked, Indiana (where I lived) still required the first bird to be wild caught red tail or kestrel. I am planning to go to Europe and have my first raptor as Harris’s😂.
In my state, I can only keep a red tailed hawk or red shouldered hawk as an apprentice, but I've been dreaming of keeping a kestrel or goshawk or sparrowhawk, is there anything I can do about this?
The best one is the one you have. Treat it that way remember it's being trained by a person that has never trained a bird before. Your second bird will be better.
Shrikes are used in other countries in a form similar to falconry. I did it back in the 90’s with both northern and loggerhead shrikes. European kestrels have much more ability and mindset to range out than an American kestrel. I have had three eurasian kestrels and definitely would not fly them without telemetry. But I have never used telemetry on any of my American kestrels.
If you are confused about what bird to get, the Harris Hawk (a great falconry bird) is probably an excellent choice and you probably can’t handle anything else anyway. Am I wrong ?
It's not allowed as an apprentice bird in most states, and if it isn't native to the area and you didn't capture it from the wild then you don't have the ability to release it if you want to quit or take a season off.
@@theheresiarch3740 Agree. First bird should be trapped. Very few exceptions. I’m going to Arizona falconry meet at end of the month.. Great state for falconry.
![NISAMANEE - TADA (ท้าดา) [ OFFICIAL MV ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hcQHEPMmJpU/mqdefault.jpg)
just went on my first hunt with my first bird...it was not a successful outing in many ways unfortunately...but im learning , my bird came home with me, and next time will be better...AND ps...I love all that you do for the community Ben. It's largely because of you that I even tried this crazy sport
I'm applying and doing this..I think it may be my new calling..
Massachusetts still limits apprentices to a red-tail or kestrel. I'm fine with that though, the ability to release a bird after a season or two is key for me personally. Thanks as always Ben and Happy New Year!
4 things to consider when choosing 04:20
1 The area you live in 04:35
2 Quarry availability 5:40
3 Flight style / telemetry needed? 07:50
4 Time commitment 09:35
7:15 Falconry (general) rule: “A falconer will always have the best success if you fly a bird native to your area and you hunt it on quarry that it would naturally hunt and quarry that is readily available in your area.”
09:05 Generally accepted: A red tailed hawk, a harris hawk and an American Kestral can be flown relatively safely without telemetry.
Really enjoyed todays video, Texas is still in the dark ages on apprentice bird choices. Interestingly, this is the second year in a row I have had to not pursue my license as, I have had to travel extensively for work and there was no way I could properly care for a bird. Maybe 2023 will afford me the ability to not have to travel for work, And the 3rd year of preparing will make my test easier😅. I hope all viewing this video will sincerely take the time issue seriously.
Dude I seriously just learned so much from this short little lesson. Seriously, thanks a lot for the knowledge and wisdom.
Thank you. It is encouraging to hear of possibly flying something besides a RT. Nothing against RTs. I am just more of a bird hunter. Thanks again for the great videos.
Alabama here. To my knowledge apprentices here are allowed RTH or RSH for their first birds.
Hey Ben, with the move to smaller birds for some folks due to conditions out west here, I’d really like to see you do a comparison of a Barbary vs an aplomado. More of a dove/quail hawking bird but with a falcon temperament - and poop trajectory haha. I’ve flown a gyrmado, seen aplos fly, never seen a Barbary.
Ooooooo that could be a good one! Putting that on the list.
😎. Happy 2023 and feel better soon!
I live in italy and I am looking to get into falconry in the future, here tho most people fly harris hawks from the start because they are “easy” (seems like they are the only option that’s even considered in most of europe) and working with larger birds or large falcons (outside of trainers who use falconry techniques for educational displays) is getting really rare, because of the small variety of quarry and territory available (mostly good for hunting from the fist but only a few dedicated falconers here use accipiters, most just end up with HHs and buzzards are just not a thing unless its for conservation work. Some keep falcons but its becoming difficult to find proper open areas for them). I love harris hawks they are amazing and making the sport more accessible to people but they’re becoming the standard and It would be lovely to see other birds in action.
I wanted to add that I really like the system to get into it you have in the US, here its easy to buy a hawk without the experience needed or proper housing for it (potentially ending up with a non native bird escaping) and hunting regulations are the same that apply to gun hunters :(
When I started 33 years ago, in Georgia and for the majority of the U.S., one could also start with a red shouldered hawk, and in Alaska you could start with a goshawk.
My great grandfather used to do falconry, I’ve been interested since I was little after reading my side of the mountain and have decided to do some research on it and even gotten myself some books on the subject
Thank you for yet another illuminating viseo.
I think it's interesting that some states allow non native raptors as apprentice birds, such as Kentucky allowing Harris Hawks. I'm guessing they've done that because of the Harris Hawk's famously intelligent and cooperative nature, so apprentices are more likely to see success with a Harris than a lot of other species.
Harris Hawks are far from a beginners bird! They are so intelligent that they are always a few steps ahead of you!!! In return the apprentice falconer will not get to learn what he/she would learn with another species of bird.
Hello Ben, I'm from the Czech Republic and here you have a lot of conditions to become a falconer, for example: game keeping exams, falconry exams, membership in game keeping and falconry clubs, 1 year of being mentored etc. I was wondering what is it like in America? Our recommended first birds are common kestrel or common buzzard, but we have a lot of Harris Hawks as first birds.
Yes it is very much a hard thing to get into. Study, Hunting license, study, falconry license, apprenticeship for a long time, 3 levels to licensing (you must spend much time to achieve the next level, 5 years for a masters license where I am I believe)
Happy Holidays Ben. Thanks for the Video.
But what about in falconry outside America? On the other side of the world, I think there are much wider range of first birds to choose from in the old world and in central America and south America. Plus I like to know which bird has both positive and negative attributes of both Red-Tail Hawks & American Kestrel.
Thanks for the video. Enjoyed it.
And a Merry New Year to one and all 🌻
Thanks, so much, Ben, for this information & your criteria.👍 I volunteer at a sanctuary & am learning a lot, handling many raptors; thinking about getting more involved with Falconry; but, not to be undertaken lightly. Fantasizing about having my own raptor 🤩..at age 68! 😂 Your insight, experience and knowledge is very helpful & much appreciated. 🥰👍
I live in American Fork, UT. I live right next to a golf course with ponds that almost always have ducks and geese. From our house we see Bald Eagles occasionally and in spring we usually see Osprey. There is a park 1/2 a mile away with a wooded area where I've seen Cooper's Hawks and beyond that a farm I've seen an occasional Great Horned Owl, Red Tail Hawk, or Kestrel. Along a bike path in that area I often see quail. We also get lots of Starlings. I am interested in Falconry, but I am questioning the time commitment. I work full time and have little flexibility in my schedule.
For my situation, what bird would be a good choice requiring the least amount of time and how much time would it take? I would guess it would work better for me to get a passage bird in the Fall and release it in the Spring just due to my work schedule. Thoughts?
I would like to add one more to that list of conditions and that is who you are learning from. I knew Frank Beebe and would not be my first choice if I wanted a redtail, and I've known others who redtails were the only birds they understood. So along with game, terrain and weather conditions, who your journeyman is makes a difference.
Great Video as always ! Can Ferruginous Hawk bring down Turkey ?
I have moved out of USA for nearly 2 years but last time I checked, Indiana (where I lived) still required the first bird to be wild caught red tail or kestrel. I am planning to go to Europe and have my first raptor as Harris’s😂.
Here in kansas, our options are red-tails, kestrels and red-shoulders
I keep joking to myself that they’re the starter pokemon
Hi Ben, could you do videos on ornate hawk eagles and spectacled owls?
Kestrel tugs at my falconry strings.
The bird that has the most available quarry close to your home.
If I’m in college right now in Utah, how would be best to begin getting into falconry so that when I graduate/move and get a job I can start?
In my state, I can only keep a red tailed hawk or red shouldered hawk as an apprentice, but I've been dreaming of keeping a kestrel or goshawk or sparrowhawk, is there anything I can do about this?
Hi, excellent video
The best one is the one you have. Treat it that way remember it's being trained by a person that has never trained a bird before. Your second bird will be better.
I'm sad because in my homeland they'd hunt with large falcons but now the country I live in is very not suited to them.
Just give me a Redtail. but I want to try a cooper's next
does a European kestrel require telemetry? also can a shrike be used in falconry?
Shrikes are used in other countries in a form similar to falconry. I did it back in the 90’s with both northern and loggerhead shrikes. European kestrels have much more ability and mindset to range out than an American kestrel. I have had three eurasian kestrels and definitely would not fly them without telemetry. But I have never used telemetry on any of my American kestrels.
@@benwoodrufffalconry ok thx
Golden eagle
Is it wrong to want to befriend a crow instead of a bird of prey?
Interested clip. It taught me that I'm not committed enough for falconry.
If you are confused about what bird to get, the Harris Hawk (a great falconry bird) is probably an excellent
choice and you probably can’t handle anything else anyway.
Am I wrong ?
It's not allowed as an apprentice bird in most states, and if it isn't native to the area and you didn't capture it from the wild then you don't have the ability to release it if you want to quit or take a season off.
@@theheresiarch3740
Agree. First bird should be trapped. Very few exceptions.
I’m going to Arizona falconry meet at end of the month.. Great state for falconry.
A redtail