Becoming a falconer is no easy task

Want to become a falconer? It’s not as easy as it might seem, according to Mike Mitchener, chief of wildlife for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.

“Some people read or see something about falconry, and they think they can go out and do it right away,” he said. “But it’s more involved than that.

“Some people don’t realize the time investment required.”

For Kansas, the requirements are:

▪ Potential falconers must serve an apprenticeship under a licensed falconer, a process that takes up to two years.

▪ Falconers must pass a written test, and have a permit from the state.

▪ They can hunt ducks during the regular shotgun seasons and, in every zone except the High Plains, during an extended season from Feb. 24 through March 10.

▪ There is a daily bag limit of no more than three migratory birds in aggregate, including waterfowl, doves, rails, coots, snipe, woodcock, crows and others. For example, a falconer could take one mallard, one snipe and one rail or other combinations.

▪ Falconers can hunt other small game such as quail, pheasants, squirrels and rabbits.

This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 2:50 PM with the headline "Becoming a falconer is no easy task."