If I see you at blade, remind me to tell you the rooster story.. its a good one!

Lest anyone thinks "pics or it didn't happen" ;0



Free climbing pines to spook a squirrel out of a nest,, can you spot the RedTail waiting close by?

Not just because I'm a squirrel, but isn't it illegal to manhandle raptors? Federally protected I thought. Or are there exceptions?

I think you have to have a license (in some states) for captivity and propagation of raptors/birds of prey.

I bet secret squirrels promoted the licensure of falconers....

Its a very regulated sport.
I had to take a written and verbal exam, then get licensed by the State, and the Federal government.
Then after that you have to find a sponser, who has been licensed and practicing falconry for over two years.
You have to also build a 'muse', which is basically a large shed that then needs to get inspected by a government official to ensure you have proper housing for the raptor.
THEN... you go with your sponsor and legally trap from the wild an immature Redtail, or Kestral. Thats a whole other very cool experience.
From there you can only hunt with your sponsor for two years before applying for your General Permit.

Its a very cool and fun sport, at the time, I think there were only 8 other licsensed members in Massachusetts.

Much like Deer hunting, the sport is misunderstood, and actually helps the population, Falconry is very beneficial to the well being of Raptors and Birds of prey (see Peregrine Falcons, that almost were extinct).
The well-being of the bird was always the TOP priority.
It also takes a lot of time! You need to hunt the bird at least 2-3 times a week, and once I had kids that time went out the door.
My bird was released to a wildlife preserve in Mass, they revert back to the wild within a few days.

I will say, squirrels are some of the toughest, smartest little buggers out there, I gained a lot of respect chasing them through the woods.

And they are quite tasty!

Tom, Shhhhh.....DT is lurking around and might hear you!

Its ok... pony up and take a bite.

hahaha,, no thanks!
Squirrels and I get along just fine now,, tough lil guys.

Just remember.....D/T is a SuperSquirrel!!!