Falconry

Practice of Training

Birds of Prey

Falconry is the practice of training Birds of Prey – hawks, falcons, eagles – to hunt wild game in partnership with human handlers.

1. A Bird-of-Prey

Is not a Pet

Different birds are used for different hunting styles and terrains:

• Peregrine Falcons
• Re-Tailed Hawks
• Harris Hawk
• Golden Eagle

A falconry bird remains a hunting animal with strong natural instincts.

2. Falconry Daily Care

Bird of Prey

Falconry is a daily hobby:

1. Fresh food – mice, quail, other whole prey
2. Fresh water – drinking and bathing
3. Housing cleanliness
4. Flying time outside the enclosure
5. Cleaning equipment
6. Weight monitoring
7. Daily health checks for injuries or parasites

Birds of Prey cannot be left alone for a weekend like smaller bird pets.

3. Falconry Training Process

Bird of Prey

Bird of Pery falconry training relies on trust and conditioning  not human dominate over bird – using common steps – example:

1. The bird must become accustomed to human presence
2. Teaching the bird to step onto the handler’s glove
3. Recall training involves food rewards
4. Begins flying short distances in enclosure
5. Free flights outdoors practice
6. Begin live game hunting in the field

Patience and consistency is needed.

4. Falconry Specialized Protective Gear

For Trainers and Handlers

The necessary falconry gear includes:

• Proper-for-use heavy leather gloves
• Proper comfortable hoods for bird of prey
• Jesses – leg straps
• Lures
• Telemetry /GPS trackers

Handler and Bird of prey are paramount.

5. Bird of Prey Handler

Falconer Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship program includes:

1. Safe handling of birds of prey
2. Bird weigh management
3. Conditioning and flight training
4. Hunting techniques for your bird of prey
5. Veterinary care
6. Stress and injury prevention

Most falconers training period is 1-2 years apprenticing under a licenced expert falconer.

6. Falconer and Bird-of Prey

A Hunting Partnership

It is bird-of-prey that chooses to return to the falconer – depending on:

• The bird must recognize the falconer as a reliable hunting partner
• Careful prior timing training and conditioning is essential
• The falconer must respect the bird-of-prey’s natural hunting instincts

Warning: a poorly treated bird-of-prey may just fly away to relieve the stress.

7. Falconry is a Demanding Sport/Hobby

Falconry is demanding:

• Predator/Raptors remain a highly wild animal
• Falconry standards are necessarily/very strict
• The hunting commitment is constant/ongoing
• Laws are complex
• Specialized veterinarian bills are expensive
• Training mistakes can be dangerous for your bird-of-prey

Consider volunteering a a falconry facility.

8. Falconry

Legal and Licensing Requirements

Many nations require bird-of-prey facilities inspection and permits including:

1. Falconer passing written exams including raptor biology, laws and specific are needs
2. Municipal building codes met for bird housing facilities (mews)
3. Obtaining specialized equipment
4. Serving and apprenticeship under a licenced falconer trainer/instructor
5. Know national and local wildlife regulations
6. Know proper hunting and breeding seasons
7. Keep accurate records and permits for each bird-of-prey

Apprentices may be advised/regulated against starting with a large of endangered species.

9. Falconry

The Ethical and Conservation Roles

Falconry organization support:

• Predator/Raptor preservation programs
• Habitat preservation for birds
• Captive breeding for endangered species
• Rehabilitation programs for injured birds

Falconry has deep historical roots dating back thousands of years and is recognized by UNESCO as an important cultural tradition.

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