Becoming a falconer….
So you want to become a falconer? What is Falconry?
We define falconry as the active pursuit and taking of wild quarry (hunting) with a trained raptor – a hawk, falcon, eagle or owl (in its wild habitat). A falconer is a person who hunts with a bird of prey. If you’re not actively hunting wild quarry with a trained raptor, with the intent of taking said quarry, then you are not practicing Falconry. There are other options to work with birds of prey, such as rehabilitation and education.
It takes extreme time, commitment, and dedication to become a falconer.
Here in the Commonwealth there are specific requirements one must have to become a licensed falconer:
• You must be 15 years of age (with consent of parents or guardian) or older
• You must possess a valid state hunting license (you will have to take hunter education classes before being issued a hunting license.)
• You must have a sponsor – a licensed General or Master class falconer who will act as a source of guidance and information for your two year apprentice period.
• You must pass a written examination administered by Mass Fisheries & Wildlife
•You must build your hawk house/mews and pass an inspection by the state and have all necessary equipment, i.e. glove, bath pan, leashes, swivels, scale, etc.
• You must fill out your paperwork and pay $25.00 for your state falconry permit.
To request an information packet contact State Falconry Coordinator at:
Mass Div of Fisheries and Wildlife
Attn: Erik Amati Coordinator
Field Headquarters
One Rabbit Hill Road
Westboro, MA 01851
(508) 389-6300
http://www.mass.gov/masswildlife
Hello Jessi, This is Wendy…Check out this link:
http://www.calhawkingclub.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=65
What if we just like to fly the hawks for fun but don’t necessarily want to catch critters with them?
Jill
Jill, that is not considered falconry. Falconry is hunting–the pursuit of wild game with a trained raptor. You may consider working with birds in an educational facility or as a wildlife rehabber.
You can contact our liason, William Johnston
Where can I find a sponsor/mentor? And will I be using his bird or can I tame my own? (These are probably stupid questions, but i am completely new to falconry even though ive been hunting for 3 years.)
Contact Michael Huguenin @ MA fisheries and Wildlife…after going through the long process of becoming an apprentice, you will have your own bird to train.
Hi I was wondering once everything is done and said where do I get a falcon or a hawk and how much thank you
Birds for falconry are either taken from the wild or purchased from breeders but there are different regulations for different levels of falconers…and different rules for different bird species
If I were interested in pursuing falconry, who should I contact?
Thanks, Cris
Michael Huguenin @ MA Fisheries and Wildlife
How does one go about getting a sponsor?
Contact Michael Huguenin @ MA Fisheries and Wildlife..at bottom of the page is the info
Is the internship mandatory
Yes..it is required by law
Hi, my father is a retired falconer and has moved into a nursing home. I have several falconry books, hoods, paintings and bells for sale. Anyone in your club interested. I think my father came to a couple of your meetings. Elena Gatti
Elana…Can you please send me an e-mail to beavergirl@gmail.com and I can forward anything you’d like to sell to our members. Thank you and well wishes for your father
I have a child who is interested in falconry, and would like to learn more about it, to get her feet wet, so to speak. Do you have any suggestions of someone in the Eastern ma, RI area that does falconry that would let her visit, ask questions, see if she wants to pursue this further? Thanks in advance, Jamie Duponte
Jamie, I would suggest her reading up on the sport….this is a hunting sport..is your daughter interested in hunting with a bird or working with birds of prey for education? There is also an age requirement so not sure how old she is…
You can try New England falconry….a falconry experience opportunity
Is it legal to use a species of owl such as a great horned owl for falconry in MA? If so, can they be considered in perfect health and captured, or do they have to be rescued birds with injuries preventing them from being released?
There are 3 different levels of being a falconer and with each level you are allowed different species of birds….some species are illegal to use period….great horned owls are used for falconry but rarely….falconry is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey on quarry….you can not use non-releasable birds to hunt with….you can rehabilitate injured birds of prey with a federal and state permit for rehabilitation. Adult breeding birds for falconry are not allowed to be captured due to the fact they are part of the breeding population.
I am looking to contact your Rhode Island equivalent; do you have any ideas on how to contact them?
Contact the state wildlife agency and ask about it.
thank you
What are the three levels of falconry called? For the first “level” can you use the red tailed hawk? And how much are classes and normally how long does the process take
Apprentice (before you become an apprentice there is a written test, facilitly inspection, hunters ed course and finding a sponsor–2 years under a sponsor/mentor)
General (after 2 years of apprenticeship, writtten exam, field exam)
Master (after 5 years of general, written exam, field exam)
There are no paid classes and the process takes everyone different amounts of time…falconry takes a HUGE time commitment and does cost money for your facility and equipment
I am twelve and a half and I am intrigued in falconry is there any way I could get a hunting license
and begin my training. Or will I have to be fifteen to get a hunting license and then get to start training?
The law states that you need to be 15 to work toward your falconry license..you can research, read and learn as much as you can till then.
Hi i looked at the link for the mass wildlife and it says there is an error. where can i be directed to or what is the contact i must email, call, etc. to get my informative falconry packet
Please contact the state representative Michael Huguenin at Mass Wildlife for an information packet
i cant find his contact, thats why I commented here, can you email me his email?
were would i find a sponse?
Please contact the state representative Michael Huguenin at Mass Wildlife for an information packet
Hello, I have been very interested in falconry for quite some time and I have a question I did not find in the above post. I am 13 years old as of August so I know that it is probably way too early to start but is there a list of websites or books that are commonly available to the public that I could read up on?
Thank you for your time.
http://www.calhawkingclub.org/index.php/falconry-apprenticeship/apprentice-bookshelf
Hi there
I’m looking to get into falconry, I am from Dartmouth ma. Who around me I can meet and experience this as first hand and seeing these birds in person
Any info would be greatly appreciated
Good morning,
I’m very interested in becoming a falconer
Is there a place where I can find more information? And who could I talk to about getting a sponser?
Michael Huguenin at MassWildlife
Hello. I am currently 14 years old and am interested in pursueing falconry. What would I need to know for the examination? Also, are there any other requirements other than what is listed above?
Thank you for your time.
-Emma
(p.s. merry christmas/happy hanukkah)
Emma..please contact Michael Huguenin at Mass Wildlife for an informational packet about the laws and regulations on falconry…al the info is in the packet
Hello there. Young couple from Western MA/Berkshires. My fiance has been a long time lover of birds of prey having done volunteer work with Tufts and other programs. Now that our careers are established he is looking to do an apprenticeship (he is already licensed to hunt). My question is: how difficult is it to find a sponsor? How might someone go about doing that? We’re new to the area and have yet to build any relationships related to this. Additionally, is there a specific number of hours a week you must commit to? He works in medicine so has a decent amount of availability. Any answers related would be awesome! Thank you 🙂
There are approximately 60 falconers in the state..you can call the state director, Michael Huhuenin, to get a list of sponsors in your area…we do recommend someone local..
I can not find Mchael H. Contact info anywhere. Can you post it here please?
Thank you.
The coordinator is Erik Amati..he is at MassWildlife..his info should be available on the mass wildlife website
My son has done everything nessacery in order to try to be an apprentice got his hunting license read every book sent letters emails for a master or general falconeir to work under what do you do when you get no responses ? Can you please tell me that
One reason: Falconry is a time consuming sport and full time dedication. Some falconers can barely find time to hunt themselves. Taking on an apprentice (a young one even more) is a big responsibility and more time dedication. I can assume that is why no responses as some do not have time to train a new person. Second reason: I suggest having your son come to our summer picnic or one of our field meets this season to meet potential sponsors. Falconers like when interested people come and see falconry in action to learn about it first hand at the field meets and meet falconers a few times before accepting them as their apprentice. Writing a letter is not enough for someone to sign on for the huge commitment without meeting them first. Please email the secretary for further details thank you
Its my dream to work with raptors, Falconry rehabilitation work etc. I was wondering what would be a good standing point for volunteering. Would much enjoy getting a insight with working with them. Thank you
I would start by volunteering at local nature centers, zoos and sanctuaries that have birds of prey.
Im 15 and have my hunting license. What is the next step towards falconry and getting a license?
Have you contacted mass wildlife for an info packet? It will have all necessary info you need.
Can you hatch and raise a falcon or do you have to get one from a breeder
It depends what licenses and level you are at..
My name is Stephen Joyce and I am a den leader for a cub scouts group. I was wondering if there would be anyone willing to do a demonstration of falconry for the scouts. We are in Quincy Ma.
What is your email please and I will message members of the club
Most of the birds are out up for their summer molt as of now..falconry season is active/open October through mid March
Hi there. I’m a licensed apprentice falconer in CO, a member of the CO Hawking Club and NAFA. I may be moving to MA within the next few months and am wondering if I need to
take the test all over again in MA and start from the beginning? I’m at the end of my 2 yr apprenticeship. Thanks for your help.
I would email the state Falconry coordinator, Erik Emati. He is very good with responding and can answer your question in detail. erik.amati@state.ma.us
What area of MA are you moving to?
Thank you, I’ll contact Erik right away. I’m moving to Boxford, in the North Shore area. Fortunately, surrounded by farmlands and woods. Thanks again for this info. I’ll also be forwarding referrals from my sponsor in hopes of joining this club. Have a great week.
Pleas tell me is it legal to train a hawk in the town cemetery in the center of town with lots of abutters?
It depends on the town laws and there is 500 foot from residence rule for all hunting.
Is it possible to get a peregrine falcon when you first start falconry.
No, there is no current take allowed of any kind for peregrine falcons. Illegal to have. As an apprentice you can hunt with a redtail or kestrel.