What is falconry?
Falconry is defined as the sport of taking game with trained raptors and the keeping and training of such birds. Commonly referred to as the sport of kings (along with horse racing), the art of falconry has been around for around 4,000 years and has changed very little since that time.
Falconry birds are not pets. They are wild animals that have been accustomed to humans and trained to hunt in tandem with us. They are illegal to own without the proper permits and can be dangerous if trained incorrectly.
How do you do it?
In a nutshell: operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, and weight management. Raptors tend to be lazy and opportunistic hunters. They hunt when they are hungry. We use that tendency in their training and in hunting them. We reward desired behavior with food. We never, ever punish the bird. Weight management is done through regular weighing of the bird and measured amounts of food. There has to be a balance. A bird that is too heavy won't have the motivation to hunt. A bird that is too hungry won't have the energy. There is a sweet spot wherein the bird is just hungry enough to seek out food but not underweight. We never starve our birds.
In order to become a falconer, one must find a sponsor, pass a written exam, have facilities to house them and equipment for them, and pass an inspection to get the required permit. All falconers begin as apprentices and remain in that status for at least two years. During that time, you are restricted to one bird at a time and can only possess specific types of raptors. In Alabama, we are allowed red tailed hawks or red shouldered hawks. Other states vary. If you're interested in becoming a falconer, contact the club in your state, the Department of Conservation for your state, or a licensed falconer if you know one. Do research and learn on your own. The Modern Apprentice is an excellent resource to get started.
When you talk to a falconer, don't immediately ask them to sponsor you. They may not be able to or may want to ensure that you are serious and know what you're getting into before considering it. Instead, ask to go hunting with them and, if they agree, go! Don't wait for them to call you. Show initiative. Call and ask if they're hunting today or this weekend or whenever and if they would mind you tagging along. Don't get offended if they say no. Some falconers prefer to hunt alone. Some birds can only be hunted alone. Instead, ask if they know anyone who would be willing to let you go with them. In addition, don't get any preconceived ideas of how long it will take to get a sponsor. There are more would-be apprentices than there are available sponsors in many areas and it may be a year or two before someone is available and most will want you to hunt with them for a season before they will sponsor you. Even then, this person will be making a two-year commitment to you and they are under no obligation to do so. Don't just accept the first person who offers. Get opinions from others on the quality of the falconer and his or her skill, evaluate their birds, ensure that their teaching style is one that you can learn from, and it helps if you like each other as individuals as you'll be spending a lot of time together.
It took me a year and a half of active involvement before I was able to get my permit. During that time, I hunted with everyone I could, learned about the birds, read tons of books and websites, attended events with my state club, prepared, and waited. It was difficult to be patient sometimes and I remember spending opening day of last trapping season watching others trap birds and wondering if my turn would ever come. Be patient!
Why do you do it?
For love of the animal! Falconry is conservation and the ultimate in communing with nature. Up to 80% of red tail hawks do not survive their first year. The reasons include predation, disease, collisions, electrocution, and starvation. As falconers, we can prevent most of these things. We provide the bird with safe shelter and protection from other predators while on the ground with their prey, we protect them from exposure to disease and get them veterinary treatment when they are ill, we fly them in areas where the risk of collision with vehicles and aircraft are minimized and out of areas where they could be electrocuted. We also help in teaching them to hunt successfully so that when they are released back into the wild, they are able to provide for themselves efficiently.
When we hunt with a raptor, we assist them in finding game but don't give them an unfair advantage over the prey. We also ensure that the prey once caught is dispatched cleanly and as painlessly as possible rather than having to struggle against the bird. We are part of the hunt, but we are simply helping them do what they do in the wild.
The feeling when a bird flies free and chooses to return to the falconer is one of the most amazing experiences!
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