I think I am sponsored!!!

Today I met with a Master falconer in my area. We talked for a long while and discussed what I need to do after the test to prepare for my license. I am looking at books now to learn to make the anklets and jesses.
I have gathered things from the garage, My husband's left welding glove (hope he won't miss it!), some nylon twine for a creance, and his leather working tools.
My mentor gave me a few grommets and loaned me his setter, so I can get going on that. I found a sizable scrap of leather that I think is of the appropriate weight, and I will begin that project sometime tomorrow I hope...although I will have the test tomorrow, as well!!
I was fortunate enough to be loaned his copy of NAFHH, which is rather hard to come by!! So, I am skimming it's pages and trying to calculate in my head how to not get ahead of myself, yet, get the job done right!!! It is easy to get caught up in reading and research and forget that there are things to be done to prepare and elsewhere!!
I am going to start sketching out the mews/weathering area, and begin gathering the legally required and necessary tools of the trade...so it seems we will be progressing much faster than I have anticipated!!
And I will be needing to make a GH, soon, if we intend to trap a hawk.
Let the trial by fire begin!!!
More soon!

Testing

I have scheduled my test for this Monday, and I am very nervous and excited about it. I hope that I have studied enough to get through it! But no matter how much you know, there is always more to learn. I have been writing emails and letters to local falconers in hopes of finding someone who will allow me to hang out with them.
I have made contact with only one out of four people I wrote to, via snail mail.
He seems nice, and has invited me to come visit him and his peregrine falcon. I can't begin to describe my excitement, and everyone close to me wants me to shut up, because I am so excited about this meeting. A sponsorship may follow, but at the very least, a friendship and hunting buddy would be great too. I am nervous about it all and I am considering rethinking my idea to wait until next fall to trap a hawk. If all turns out well, it may happen long before that!!!
I am planning in my head what the mews will look like and what kind of equipment I will need to procure in order to be legal and licensed. I have some budget constraints, since Christmas is coming up and my son's 8th birthday shortly after. But I will try to do what I can with what I have and upgrade later. I will bring my camera and take pictures if my new friend allows. I can't wait till this weekend!!!