Not really a "pet"...

[falconpuff]

This is a picture of my Redtailed Hawk. My life revolves around him from September to March. He was just put up for the moult. I truly admire the predator/prey relationship...probably what led me to the world of puffers.

[J-P]

OMG ... OMG... OMG..!!!

When my wife and I moved to Canada our hopes were to take a falconry course with the prospects of adoption..

+10 on that guy!

I am in love again!!

[falconpuff]

Thanks J-P. He's a really good hawk. He was a late trap, so we didn't have a very long season together, but I'm keeping him through the moult and flying him at least one more season.

I'm not entirely sure how falconry works in Canada, like requirements for licensing, etc. It's definitely not a hobby, but a lifestyle.

[falconpuff]

Here's a picture of my old Gyr/Peregrine...taking his time to leave the fist:

[L!$A]

Now that's something you don't see everyday!
Thanks for sharing.

[J-P]

here it is a weekend course for locals and a 1 week course for internationals. The main problem was the time... taking time off work to get the lic was not an option at that time. An now I have the time but not the $$ Catch 22

Also, in my area if you have a small game hunting lic.. you are allowed to use birds of prey

ohhhhh those pics... my heart throbs

[falconpuff]

here it is a weekend course for locals and a 1 week course for internationals. The main problem was the time... taking time off work to get the lic was not an option at that time. An now I have the time but not the $$ Catch 22

Also, in my area if you have a small game hunting lic.. you are allowed to use birds of prey

ohhhhh those pics... my heart throbs

Falconry has a huge time and money commitment. During the season, I fly my bird(s) several times a week, which gets difficult when you work, go to school, have a family, etc. The initial cost of getting started is pretty high end, you have to have all of the necessary equipment, a place to house your raptor (a mews), food, etc. Then with the fuel cost of finding quarry, it adds up. I don't have the hybrid anymore, because once our duck ponds were frozen, I'd have to drive 5 hours roundtrip to find pheasants. It quickly got old.

When we get our licenses, there is a "built in" small game license, but you still have to buy duck stamps, etc.

I have a very understandable husband that is used to/ and tolerates birds in the house, dead critters in the freezer, and my lack of time at home during the season. That can be hard to find! Plus, now that I have a puffer, he tolerates the container of blackworms in the fridge, and frozen bloodworms/brine shrimp in the freezer. (He never had pets growing up, so he doesn't know what's normal)

[J-P]

feeding is not a problem .. housing may or may not be a problem. Before we got out 2 cats, we were thinking of adopting a puma but then found out it wets the bed and the neighbors objected (even though we are on 75 acres).

We were targeting an Owl that could be kept in the house (a barn owl or other smaller species) but that plan got waylaid. Time and $$ those are life's difficulties.

[pufferpuggirl]

That's absolutely awesome falconpuff -- those birds are so pretty and so elegant! I'd say you are very blessed being able to be a part of something like that. Very cool.

[Pufferpunk]

He's a really good hawk

Sounds weird... Great "pet" you have there!

[Dandee]

A gorgeous bird!
I sit out in my pastures and watch the hawks we have around here. Exceptional birds to watch.