Falconry in Michigan - Cost of Hawk?

OOOH, I did this once. A orphan little Sparrow Hawk. I say that cause this was a small bird, not large like most would have. I did this cause no State officer or department would help. The game warden said he would come pick it up, then the bird would be used for educational purposes. WHAT ? they wanted to use this grand little hawk as a dis[play ? The thing would live in a cage, or would it be educationally dissected ? NO WAY, he said if I wanted to keep it I must build a facility, to their specifications, and have it approved by them. AND get a license to do it.

Well, I decided to take my chances, I was renting a place on a farm. I made a room at the top of the steps, that was lined with windows my aviary. When to the library and got 14 books about Falconry and raising birds of prey. They can not eat just anything, that was a problem. I had to go in one of the barns and shoot a mouse, or sparrow with a BB gun for food each day. I made a perch out of a broom stick in front of one of the many windows, and put " Jesses " on the birds legs.

This was an amazing experience, one I will never forget. I taught the bird how to fly, made him a strong flyer, and taught it how to hunt using a decoy. When full grown, we had a " Release Day " celebration. I fed him a chipmunk, took some final pictures of my grand little friend and released him with good wishes on the farm.

I tell you this, BIRDS ARE MESSY. Doo, feathers blown all over the place from exercising their wings, the cleanup stuff needed, there is allot of work to keeping a bird. Let alone a large one. Release Day was a load off for me too. I have great pictures of the experience.

Michigan Falconry

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Falconry in Michigan - Cost of Hawk?

I am interested in getting involved in falconry in my home state of Michigan. I have read quite a bit and plan on attending one of the beginners workshops soon. I have alot of space available at my home plus farms and fields at my disposal, and room for the mews. My question is what would I be...