Finding a Sponsor
You can’t become a falconer without a sponsor. Here’s how to find one—and how to be the kind of apprentice that experienced falconers want to mentor.
The sponsor-apprentice relationship is the backbone of falconry tradition. For centuries, knowledge has been passed down through direct mentorship—one experienced falconer teaching one dedicated beginner. This is not a formality or a bureaucratic checkbox. Your sponsor will shape how you think about birds, how you approach hunting, and how you handle the inevitable challenges of your first years. Finding the right sponsor is worth the wait, because a strong mentorship lays the foundation for everything that follows in your falconry career.
Why This is Hard
Finding a sponsor is often the longest part of becoming a falconer. There are far more aspiring falconers than available sponsors, and sponsorship is a significant commitment. Expect this step to take months—sometimes over a year.
What a Sponsor Actually Does
Before searching for a sponsor, understand what you’re asking of them:
- Time commitment: Regular check-ins, answering questions, possibly hunting together
- Responsibility: Their name is on your license; your mistakes reflect on them
- Emotional labor: Watching a beginner struggle (and sometimes fail) is hard
- No compensation: Sponsors don’t get paid; it’s pure mentorship
A good sponsor invests hours of their life helping you succeed. Understanding this will help you approach them with appropriate respect and gratitude.
Where to Find Sponsors
1. Falconry Clubs (Best Option)
State and regional falconry clubs are the single best place to find sponsors. Most clubs welcome prospective falconers to attend meetings as guests.
How to Find Your Local Club:
- Search "[Your State] Falconry Club"
- Check the NAFA website for affiliated clubs
- Ask your state wildlife agency for club contacts
- Look for regional clubs (they often cover multiple states)
Attend meetings, introduce yourself, and be genuinely interested in learning. Don’t ask anyone to sponsor you at your first meeting—just listen, learn, and make connections.
2. NAFA Events
The North American Falconers Association hosts an annual meet and other events throughout the year. These are excellent opportunities to meet falconers from across the country—including potential sponsors.
3. State Wildlife Agency Lists
Some state wildlife agencies maintain lists of falconers willing to sponsor apprentices. Call your agency and ask—they may be able to provide contacts directly or point you toward local resources.
4. Online Communities
Falconry forums, Facebook groups, and subreddits can connect you with falconers in your area. However, online relationships rarely lead directly to sponsorship—use these to find local contacts, then meet in person.
Popular Online Communities:
- Falconry forums (Nafex, The Falconry Forum)
- Facebook groups (search "Falconry" + your state/region)
- Reddit: r/birdsofprey, r/falconry
- Discord servers dedicated to falconry
5. Raptor Education Programs
Nature centers, wildlife rehabilitators, and educational programs that work with raptors sometimes have connections to the falconry community. Volunteering with these organizations can lead to introductions.
How to Approach Potential Sponsors
Don’t Lead with "Will You Sponsor Me?"
This is the most common mistake. Imagine a stranger asking you to commit hundreds of hours to them within minutes of meeting. That’s what you’re doing when you ask for sponsorship too early.
Instead, focus on building a genuine relationship. Show up consistently. Ask thoughtful questions. Demonstrate that you’re serious about learning—not just about getting a bird as quickly as possible.
❌ What NOT to Do
- "I’ve wanted a falcon since I was a kid. Will you sponsor me?"
- Asking for sponsorship in your first conversation
- Messaging multiple falconers with copy-paste requests
- Acting like sponsorship is owed to you
- Arguing when given advice you don’t like
- Focusing only on the bird, not the craft
✅ What TO Do
- Attend club meetings regularly (at least 3-4 before asking)
- Read recommended books and mention what you learned
- Ask specific, thoughtful questions about falconry
- Offer to help (cleaning at meets, carrying gear, etc.)
- Show up when you say you will—reliability matters
- Be patient and humble
When to Ask
After you’ve attended several meetings, had conversations with multiple falconers, and demonstrated genuine interest, you can start asking. But do it right:
"I’ve been coming to meetings for a few months and I’m really committed to pursuing falconry. I’ve read [books], I’m studying for the exam, and I’m starting to look at what I’d need for facilities. Would you be open to discussing what sponsorship might look like—either with you or someone you might recommend?"
This approach shows preparation, commitment, and respect for their time. It also gives them an out (recommending someone else) if they can’t sponsor but want to help.
What Sponsors Look For
Put yourself in a sponsor’s shoes. They’re going to invest significant time in someone. Who would you choose?
The Ideal Apprentice:
- ✓Shows up consistently: Reliability is the #1 trait sponsors value
- ✓Has already done homework: Reads books, studies regulations, asks informed questions
- ✓Accepts advice gracefully: Doesn’t argue or get defensive
- ✓Has realistic expectations: Understands the timeline and commitment
- ✓Cares about the bird first: Not just excited about "having a falcon"
- ✓Lives reasonably close: Easier to mentor someone you can meet with regularly
- ✓Has time and resources: Can actually commit to the demands of falconry
What If You Can’t Find a Sponsor?
If you’ve been searching for over a year without success, consider:
- Expanding your search radius: Some apprentices travel 1-2 hours to meet with sponsors
- Attending regional/national events: You’ll meet falconers from other areas
- Continuing to show up: Sometimes it just takes time for the right match
- Honest self-reflection: Are you being the kind of apprentice sponsors want?
In some areas, falconers are genuinely scarce. If you’ve exhausted local options, reaching out to your state’s falconry coordinator (often through the wildlife agency) might help connect you with sponsors willing to mentor remotely—though this is less ideal than local mentorship.
Red Flags in Potential Sponsors
Not all sponsors are good sponsors. Watch out for:
- Demanding payment: Sponsorship should be free
- Pressuring you to rush: A good sponsor emphasizes patience
- Poor bird care: If their birds look unhealthy, find someone else
- Bad reputation in the community: Ask around discreetly
- Unwilling to meet in person: Remote-only sponsorship is a red flag
- Doesn’t actively hunt: You want a sponsor who practices falconry, not just holds a license
Once You Have a Sponsor
Congratulations! Now the work really begins. To maintain a good relationship:
- Communicate regularly—don’t go silent for weeks
- Ask before making major decisions (trapping, equipment purchases, etc.)
- Accept criticism gracefully
- Show up when you say you will
- Offer to help them, not just ask for help
- Express genuine gratitude
A good sponsor-apprentice relationship often becomes a lifelong friendship. These are the people who will celebrate your first catch, help you through lost birds, and become your community in falconry.
Start building your local network today, even if you are months away from needing a sponsor. Join your state falconry club and attend at least three consecutive meetings before bringing up sponsorship. Between meetings, read widely and prepare specific questions to ask experienced falconers—this demonstrates genuine curiosity rather than impatience. Keep a notebook of what you learn at each meeting. If your area lacks an active club, contact your state wildlife agency for a list of licensed falconers willing to mentor, and consider attending a regional or national NAFA event to expand your reach.