There are three common questions most asked by people inquiring about falconry:  (1) What are the regulations against keeping a raptor, (2) Where and how do you obtain birds for use in falconry, and  (3) What are the details on how to become a falconer?  People that ask these questions are usually those who have recently read an article on falconry in a newspaper or a popular magazine.  Some may have watched  television mentioning falconry.  Some of these people may actually have seen a trained bird in flight.  Few, if any, know any falconers, however, and almost none have any idea of the space, effort, cost, facilities and most of all the amount of time  the sport of falconry demands. 

Responsible falconers and falconry organizations almost always try to discourage newcomers to the sport, particularly when their interest is kindled in this manner.  Newspaper, magazine and television coverage of falconry are frequently inaccurate, and they tend to stress the sensational aspects of the sport.  For example, success in taking game may be grossly exaggerated, and little emphasis may be given the fact the falconer’s reward is the beauty of the flight itself, whether successful or not.  Flight demonstrations themselves may make falconry look easy, but they cannot possibly give you any idea of the long hours and hard work the trained raptor represents. 

Of all of the hunting sports in America, falconry is the only one that uses a trained raptor.  The falcons, hawks, eagles and owls are essential elements of our wildlife.  The competent falconer recognizes this and takes care to follow sound conservation principles in pursuit of the sport.  Because of this, falconry activities represent no threat to the raptorial species.  However, the casual and uninformed novice, by attempting to satisfy a passing fancy; may do harm in many ways and cast discredit upon falconry itself. 

Therefore, before falconers will aid anyone newly attracted to the sport, most will require proof of serious dedication.  Falconers feel that anything less is not worth bothering with, and that birds which fall in to the hands of those who are not as deeply motivated should be restored to the wild without delay. 

Serious dedication is normally demonstrated by reading anything and everything available on raptors and falconry, by demonstrating a sincere interest in all aspects of wildlife and the outdoors, and by a consistent effort to learn the fundamentals of the sport, all before any attempt to obtain a bird.  Most successful falconers began in this manner, and today’s newcomer must expect a similar period of apprenticeship.  This will lead to a reasonable expectation that a bird may be safely entrusted in your care; before you can expect any help.  If you are unwilling to do this, you should not try to become a falconer. 

However, if you are convinced that your interest in falconry is more than superficial and are willing to undertake the necessary studies before you obtain a bird, you must then be prepared to fulfill certain additional minimum requirements. 

You must have sufficient time and patience to devote to training and flying a bird.  The trained raptor requires an absolute minimum of one hour per day, 365 days a year.  A bird in training requires substantially more time.  Neither can be hung up and forgotten, like a hunting rifle when not in use.  If this time is not available, if school studies, family responsibilities or employment interfere -- it is far better never to begin.   Also, this is a physically challenging sport.  The best falconers are also quite physically fit.  Walking for hours in a field in inclement weather looking for a lost hawk requires good physical conditioning.  Required walking or running in uneven terrain, to flush game for the trained hawk is normal exercise. Falconry ethics require that locating a wayward or lost hawk is of highest priority.   Falconers have crossed spring swollen streams, to retrieve a hawk on game across a creek.  One noted falconer located and retrieved his lost goshawk on a duck kill in this manner:  In cold winter weather, he crossed to the sandbar at the center of a lake, walking in chest deep water, to retrieve his hawk on a duck she had caught.  

You must have the funds to obtain food and basic materials for falconry equipment or the time and skill to make everything you need.  A hawk in captivity requires a whole animal diet to remain healthy, when some form of natural prey items are  not available.  At current prices for whole quail and rodents, the cost can be substantial.  If you feel that you cannot accept and ‘stomach’ the fact that these birds eat other birds and animals to survive, then you should not consider becoming a falconer.   In addition, leather, metal, lumber and the necessary tools to work with them may be expensive.  These are needed for shelters (mews), perches, weathering blocks, leashes, jesses and hood.  Other items which must be purchased are scales, radio telemetry, swivels, falconer’s glove and bells.    Also, falconers know how to dress for being outdoors for long hours at a time.  Although outdoor clothing is not cheap, good quality outdoor gear is essential to one's comfort and enjoyment in the field. 

You must be able to provide suitable facilities for keeping a bird in fair and foul weather.  Captive hawks and falcons must be protected at all times from cats, dogs, racoons and other predators, including humans, as well as extremes of heat, cold and dampness.  They must be provided a weathering place where they may be kept outdoors in good weather during winter and summer, and opportunity to drink and bathe.  They must have sheltered perches at night and in bad weather; be kept dry and protected from the wind.  While raptors adjust well to cold weather,  they suffer in the heat, and must never be left in the direct rays of the afternoon summer sun. 

You must have access to an adequate and reasonably convenient area for flying.  Accipiters, or short winged hawks, should be flown in the enclosed, wooded areas which make up their natural habitat.  Falcons, or long-winged hawks, need open space, preferably at least a mile across; where they may be flown from a position high over the falconer.  Casual hunters, curious passersby, or other interferences which could scare a bird, or which might cause it to be killed when straying from the sight of the falconer, will make an otherwise satisfactory area unacceptable.  The permission of the landowner must always be obtained when flying on private land. 

You must be at least 18 years of age to obtain a General Falconry license, which allows you to practice the sport without supervision; or at least 14  years of age to obtain a beginners or Apprentice license, which requires supervision by either a General or Master falconry license holder.

There are other requirements, but space does not permit more detail, and some requirements vary by state.  I hope I have convinced you that the ancient “art and practice of hawking” may not learned overnight or in a single lesson, but only after years of hard and time-consuming work. 

Whether or not you eventually become a falconer, I hope that you will retain a friendly interest in raptors, falconry, and the conservation of birds of prey.  They need your help in eliminating needless persecution at the hands of those who know no better.

North American Falconers’ Association and Kitty Tolson Carroll of Accipiter Enterprises

Phone  386-776-1960

Email:  Hawkmom74@birdsofprey.net

Web site www.birdsofprey.net