Falconry Readiness Calculator
An honest assessment of where you stand — and what to work on next.
What This Quiz Measures
Our readiness assessment evaluates four dimensions that experienced falconers and wildlife agencies consider essential for success in the sport. The first dimension is time availability: falconry requires a minimum of one to two hours of daily attention for feeding, weighing, and basic care, plus additional time for training sessions and hunting outings during the flying season. The quiz helps you honestly evaluate whether your current schedule can accommodate these demands without neglecting your bird or burning out.
The second dimension is financial preparedness. Getting started in falconry involves meaningful upfront costs including mews construction, equipment purchases, exam fees, and licensing costs that typically total between $1,500 and $3,000 depending on your state and how much you build yourself versus buying ready-made. Ongoing costs include food, veterinary care, replacement equipment, and license renewals. Our assessment helps you understand these financial commitments before you invest time in the licensing process.
The third dimension measures your knowledge foundation. You do not need to be an expert before starting your apprenticeship, but having a solid understanding of raptor biology, training principles, and regulatory requirements demonstrates the seriousness that wildlife agencies and potential sponsors look for in applicants. The fourth dimension evaluates your support network, including access to experienced falconers, proximity to suitable hunting land, and whether your living situation can accommodate raptor housing.
Why Readiness Matters
Falconry is one of the most regulated outdoor pursuits in the United States, and for good reason. You are taking responsibility for a wild animal that requires daily care, specialized housing, and a commitment that spans years rather than weeks. Falconers who begin before they are truly ready often struggle with the daily demands of bird care, rush through training steps that require patience, or find themselves unable to provide the hunting opportunities their bird needs to thrive. These situations are stressful for both the falconer and the raptor.
Taking an honest readiness assessment before you begin the licensing process is not about discouraging anyone from pursuing falconry. It is about ensuring that when you do start, you are set up for a rewarding experience rather than an overwhelming one. Many experienced falconers waited months or even years before they felt ready, using that time to study, visit falconry meets, build relationships with potential sponsors, and prepare their finances and living arrangements. That patience is consistently rewarded with smoother apprenticeships and stronger partnerships with their first bird.
How to Interpret Your Results
Your quiz results will place you in one of three tiers: ready to begin, nearly ready with specific areas to address, or not yet ready with a clear action plan. A high score does not guarantee success in falconry, and a lower score does not mean you should give up the idea entirely. The assessment is designed to highlight the specific areas where preparation would make your eventual entry into falconry smoother and more enjoyable.
If your results indicate areas that need attention, treat them as a roadmap rather than a rejection. Someone who scores low on financial readiness might spend six months saving specifically for falconry expenses while simultaneously studying for the exam and attending local club meetings. A person who scores low on the knowledge dimension can use our educational guides to build a strong foundation before approaching a potential sponsor. The goal is to enter your apprenticeship with confidence and preparation, not to rush through the door before you are ready.