FAQ

Q: Is it a sport?

A: Yes

Q: Are there any types of bird that you have to release?

A: Yes after a hunting season, the Peregrine Falcon because it is on the endangered list.

Q: Can you breed the birds?

A: You would need a different license to breed falcons.

Q: Can you only hunt with falcons because it’s called falconry?

A: Nope, you can hunt with loads of other raptors, Red-Tailed Hawks, and even Ospreys!

Q: How many birds can you keep at a time.

A: That depends of the rank of falconer you are as a Master you can have three, a general can have two and an apprentice can have one.

Q: How do you get started?

A: Find as many books as you can on falconry and learn the basics, then go out and meet with falconer, which is where you can meet a sponsor. Plus follow this blog J.

Q: Are there certain types of birds you should start with?

A: As the lowest rank/ Apprentice you only have the option to have an American Kestrel or a Red-Tailed Hawk.

Q: Do smaller birds hunt smaller prey?

A: Nope like jungle cats the small birds tend to hunt prey that is bigger then they are.

Q: What are some good books to read?

A: Modern Falconry by Frank Beebe, and A Hawk in the Hand by Phillip Glasier.

Q: How long is the test and what are some questions on it?

A: The test is fairly lengthy, and questions include identifying a bird by its shadow.

Q: Can you hunt owls?

A: Yes, but only Great Horned Owl, and you can have a Snowy Owl in Alaska.

Q: Does the type of bird you catch depend on the location?

A: Yes different birds live in different places, like Red-Tails are fond of road-sides.

Q: Can you only catch migrating birds, or birds that are resident?

A: You can only catch a migrating bird as an apprentice.

Q: How do you make sure the bird you catch is migratory?

A: Weathering on the feathers.

Q: How long to falcons live?

A: That is dependant on the type, Peregrine’s live 12-15 years, and Red-Tails are 14-17 years.

Q: What do they eat?

A: Rabbit legs, quail, rats, mice, and just about any small animal.

Q: Do they eat what they kill when they hunt?

A: No you make a trade for their kill so you monitor what they eat.

Wow! Watch this peregrine falcon dive!!!!!!

Basic Falconry #5: Equipment



Hood

Another important aspect of falconry is the equipment. First is a hood, hoods were mentioned in previous paragraphs, they are leather blind folds for the bird. Hoods are difficult to make because each birds head differs depending of its sex, and age. Next is the glove, gloves are the easiest equipment but one of the most imperative tool. The glove is again made of leather and rises to a little passed the elbow, serious falconers will have theirs tailored for them specifically. Gloves are used to protect the arm of the falconers from the sharp talons of the raptor. It also provided a secure perch for your hawk, it is not a legal requirement to own one, but more common sense. Next is the Aylmeri Jesses, they have two parts, the leather bracelet which wraps around the hawks leg and has a long leather strap attached to keep the bird from flying. The leather straps are called the jesses and are kept in the falconer’s hand until the bird is about to be flown. The bracelet is not snug against the bird’s foot but it is not permitted to slip through. Perches are also another requirement, there are many different types of perch and some are better suited to different birds. Perches include: a bow-perch, a block perch. Each are fairly easy to make. Another item needed is a leash; a leash can be leather, nylon rope, or bungee cord. Leashes are used when a bird is sitting on a home-made perch. They are often tied to the perch itself. Finally another thing is a lure. Lure are extremely important, because they are the tool that teaches hawks what animal they should be hunting. It is also where the hawk will eventually learn to go to get their tidbit. The lures are especially helpful when training falcons to hunt other smaller birds. There are countless other equipment required for a falconer including: swivels, bells, record book, mews, bath pan, hawking bag, a giant hood, and scales but the majority of fairly self-explanatory. The equipment is all necessary but the amount of work the falconer puts in out-weighs how nice his/her stuff is. Falconers must be extremely careful when monitoring a birds weight. Birds such as the Kestrel can die in a instant if their weight is not perfectly maintained. Their weight must be checked almost every five hours within the first two weeks. Birds are also extremely susceptible to disease. If the mews are not cleaned they can get bumble foot, this is several infections on the hawk’s feet, Or Sour Crop where the food in the stomach starts to decompose instead of being digested. The birds are all in danger of getting these, so it is the falconer’s duty to ensure the hawks health.

A map of Nesting Peregrines in Washington.

Basic Falconry #4: Taking the test

After all Requirements have been fulfilled, you are now ready to take the falconry test! The test is fairly long, and everything in it is not something you can guess on. The some of the questions are a tad outdated but it is all to make sure you have done your research, and is trying to keep the birds away from incompetent falconers. You must have a sponsor before taking the test there is a place for them to sign off on you on the form you send in. You are expected to get at least a 80% on the test to pass. Assuming you pass there are still many MANY steps you must take before even trapping the bird. Falconry in an amazing and complex sport but it is not for the procrastinators.

Try your luck on a practice test http://www.onlinefalconry.com/USFederalFalconryExam.htm

Basic Falconry #3: Sponsorship

Every falconer, is now required to find something called a sponser.You must have a sponsor before you are permitted to trap your first hawk. A sponser in an individual who takes on moral and ethical accountability for an apprentice falconer and closely observes the care and the handling of the apprentice's first hawk. Sponsorship lasts a minimum of 24 months. Sponsors are also required to sign off one you becoming a general, to say they believe you are ready. Sometimes Apprentices switch their sponsors.

Look at this article!

I will be following this story and sending updates, such as pictures and maps. http://audubonportland.org/issues/endangered-species/peregrine-falcon/portland-peregrines/fremont

Look at the this amazing Red Tail Hawk hunt!

A super neat video!

Basic Falconry #2: Regulations

There are lots of different rules and regulations that all falconer must follow one of the many the rules mentioned include, that to even trap a bird, they must first pass an exam. These exams are given out by, the Fish and Wildlife of that state. Each state has a different exam, but generally it tests: knowledge of raptors, the care and first aid for raptors, identifying birds. It asks questions on the few, well-known falconry books, to check that the “tester” has read them/ done their research. Assuming the test is passed at an 80% score, the falconer must now find him/herself a sponsor.

Click for Offical State Laws

Basic Falconry #1: Levels

One of the basic concepts of falconry that everyone should know is about levels/ ranks. Apprentice is the first level, and each rank gives you new freedom and the opportunity to fly different birds. As an apprentice you are only permitted to catch and fly a passage (a raptor in its first migration) Red-Tailed Hawk or an American kestrel. After (a bare minimum) of 2 years of flying either of these birds you have the opportunity to become a General, they must be 18 years old to become a General, the sponsor writes in to the State to confirm that the apprentice’s abilities are General worthy. As a General falconer, they are able to hunt with the following birds: Merlins, European Kestrel, Alpomado Falcon, Prairie Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Saker Falcon, Gyrfalcon, Lanner Falcon, Harris’ Hawks, Great Horned Owl, Osprey, Sharp-Skinned Hawk, Red-Shouldered Hawk, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Coopers’ Hawk, Swainson’s Hawk, and Ferruginous Hawk. These birds are not legal in all states and the are restrictions on which (age-wise) hawks you can take. Again this is all depended on the states laws. Also as a General, they are permitted to have two birds where the Apprentice can only have one. Lastly the highest rank of falconry is a Master Falconer. To become a Master falconer, they must have 7 years of experience in all, and 5 years at General level. As a Master they may fly Goshawks (one of the largest birds of prey) and Golden Eagles. Also as a Master they are expected to take on a Apprentice (this is called sponsership...) 

Welcome to Falconry...

What is falconry? It is a wonderful question really, many people have seen it (movies/TV shows) but are unaware that it is a sport, or even that it has a name. The purpose of this blog is to inform the uninformed to the wonderous, and complex world of Falconry.