As part of falconry, I have been lucky enough to work with some of the best falconers in the state, many of whom have strict rules for how they work with apprentices. From them, I have been compiling the requirements that I believe are most likely to generate the best possible outcomes.
This is not to say you cannot be successful following some OTHER form, or that I am sitting here wringing my hands in judgement if you don’t do it exactly like this. I’m far from knowing everything. But I hope that in writing down some of these expectations, I can help other codify their thoughts on apprenticeship in a way that helps new apprentices be successful.
Apprentice’s Commitment
This contract represents my commitment to my hawk. It represents my sponsor’s commitment to me. It also represents my family’s commitment to falconry and the time it will take in my life. It represents my respect for the thousands of years of falconry that have come before me. I represents my deep honor and respect for the raptors used in falconry.
By signing below, I acknowledge, understand, and agree that…
Mental Commitments
- Hawking is self-discipline, not animal discipline. I will never intentionally harm, or permit injury to a raptor in my care, for any reason.
- I am ultimately responsible for the fate of my hawk as soon as I take possession of it.
- Hawking is a hunting passion and lifestyle. Hawks are not pets. I am not looking for a fancy bird to show off. Hawks have an instinctual need to hunt, and it is my ethical duty to feed that instinct as an able and skilled participant in my hawk’s hunt.
- I have taken significant time and thought to understand that I will enjoy working with wild animals. Hawks will not love me; they will at best consider me a food source, and not a companion.
- I will present the art of falconry in the best possible light to everyone I meet.
- To be a successful falconer, I must love the outdoors. A hawk doesn’t care as much if it’s cold, wet, snowy, hot, or beautiful, and when the weather is miserable, only my joy in being outside will see me through.
- I must be patient and dedicated. Manning the hawk will test my patience. Finding game will test my determination.
Time Commitments
- I am committed to spending no less than 1 hour per day with my hawk when not hunting, and no less than 3 hours per day with my hawk when hunting.
- I am committed, able and willing to hunt my hawk a minimum of 5 days per week. Just like an athlete, hawks require constant maintenance and exercise.
- If I have a significant other, falconry is about to enter their lives too. The have also reviewed this document, spoken with my sponsor, and understand these requirements.
- I am fully capable, financially and physically, of providing for the hawk’s needs. This includes housing, good quality food, and medical care, as well as your time and attention. I have a fund specifically set aside for medical needs and supplies, above and beyond the startup costs of building a mews, acquiring a hawk, etc. This fund has at least $2,000 in it.
- I have no serious time commitments between the months of September and March (trapping and hawking season), for at least the minimum apprenticeship requirement of two years (no 3 month studies abroad, no month long vacations, etc).
Skill Commitments
- I will read voraciously on the subject of falconry.
- I will exhibit a strong knowledge of husbandry techniques, and understand when to employ each.
- I will ask my sponsor “why” questions. If they cannot answer, they commit to finding out “why” something is done a particular way. “Because it was always done that way” is not a sufficient explanation.
- I am a hunter with my hawk. I will seek out good hunting grounds for my hawk. I will develop my “game sense.”
- I will develop general skills, not only by listening to my sponsor, but by connecting with other falconers, asking questions, and working with my sponsor to incorporate solutions to problems are the arise.
- I will be capable of swiftly and humanely killing prey animals without hesitation.
- Where the hawk’s welfare is concerned, “good enough” is not in my vocabulary.
Community Commitments
- I will reciprocate with other falconers; if they work the brush for my hawk, I will work for their hawk on the next available occasion (typically, immediately). If they give me a piece of gear, I will stand ready to help if they have a similar future need.
- I will follow all applicable laws. When I am not certain of a law, I take responsibility for looking it up.
- I will give my time freely and ungrudgingly to the general welfare of raptors in the state of New York, even if it is not a raptor in my care.
- I will join and maintain memberships in all appropriate state and federal level falconry organizations, recognizing that these groups are my best attempt at maintaining the art of falconry for future generations.
- I understand that the state’s apprenticeship requirement is a minimum and at the end of it I am entitled to neither an upgrade, nor continued sponsorship, should my sponsor not believe I am ready to work on my own.
- Prior to upgrade, I will obtain the recommendation of no less than 3 General or Master class falconers, and present these to my sponsor. Any of these three recommendations may be used to fulfill my legal requirements for upgrade. In addition, I will obtain them in order to demonstrate my commitment to the falconry community, and the approval of my and my sponsor’s peers. I will not seek these upgrades out before such time as is appropriate.
Termination of this Agreement
- Should I become unable to fulfill any of these duties, I will voluntarily resign as a falconer.
- My sponsor may terminate this agreement at any time for any reason, but will certainly do so should I prove negligent, incompetent, or abusive toward my hawk. In this case, I agree to not seek any other sponsor. To “hop sponsors” due to my error would be to demonstrate disdain for the wellbeing of the raptor, and I am better than this.
The undersigned agree to all above conditions and acknowledgements.
_________________________ _________________________
Apprentice Sponsor
_________________________ _________________________
Apprentice’s Significant Other (if applicable) Date of agreement
Sponsor’s Commitment to the Apprentice
This agreement represents my commitment to my apprentice. It is signed with each apprentice, as I agree to work with them, in order that they understand what they can ask of me. It represents my respect for the thousands of years of falconry that have come before me, and the deep honor and respect for the raptors, as well as for my apprentice who is learning an incredibly challenging activity.
Commitments to the Apprentice
- I will remain patient and calm, never taking out frustration on the apprentice.
- I am ultimately responsible for the success of my apprentice, and their hawk, and will make myself available at any time, day or night as needed, to assist them in their falconry.
- I will provide hands-on instruction as often as possible
- I will tailor my instruction as best I can to the needs of my apprentice
- If I do not know an answer, I will say “I do not know, but I will find out for you.” And then do so.
- I will assist in the trapping, manning, training and hunting of the raptor, hands on, as often as possible, for each apprentice I take on.
- I will not take on any more apprentices than my current commitments allow for; recognizing that if I take on an apprentice, it is out of the sincere belief that I have enough time to devote to that apprentice’s falconry that I will not detract from any other current apprentice.
- I will not operate alone but seek the aid and support of other experienced falconers in teaching my apprentice. This will, in turn, foster an involvement in the larger community which is essential for my apprentice.
- As often as possible, I will demonstrate hunting with my own raptor for my apprentice.
- I will ensure my apprentice conducts themselves ethically and lawfully, including responsible posting to social media, the treatment of landowners, wildlife and other falconers.
- I will always conduct myself ethically and responsibly.
The undersigned agree to all above conditions and acknowledgements.
_________________________ _________________________
Apprentice Sponsor
_________________________ _________________________
Apprentice’s Significant Other (if applicable) Date of agreement