So do you Really want to become a falconer?

You may have recently read about this ancient art in a book or periodical, learned about it through television or radio, perhaps a movie, or may have even seen a trained hawk in action. Whatever the case, you were obviously impressed enough to want to learn more about the sport of falconry, and we appreciate your interest.

However, few people thrilling at the magic of a trained hawk in flight realize what demands are placed upon one who aspires to be a falconer. Even fewer would be willing to make the sacrifices. There are the stringent, long-term demands of time, effort, and money.

The media often sensationalizes falconry, because the sport can be exciting to watch and carries with it the intrigue of antiquity, but public media frequently is inaccurate in its representation of what it takes to be a falconer.

Of all sports in America, falconry is the only one that utilizes a trained wild creature. Falcons, hawks, eagles and owls are essential elements of our wildlife. The competent falconer takes care to follow sound conservation principles in the pursuit of the sport. Even though the federal government's environmental assessment states falconry has "no impact" on wild raptor populations, a careless, uninformed individual, attempting to satisfy a passing fancy, can do great harm to  one or more birds and cast the shadow of discredit on the sport of falconry itself. Most falconers, therefore, before they will agree to help anyone newly attracted to the sport, will require evidence of a serious, committed interest in falconry. They feel that anything less is not worth bothering with.

A serious commitment to becoming a falconer is often evidenced by an individual's ravenous appetite for literature on the sport of falconry, a sincere interest in all aspects of wildlife and the out-of-doors, and by a persistent effort to learn many fundamentals of this art--all before obtaining a hawk. Most falconers had similar beginnings, and today's newcomer must likewise expect a period of apprenticeship. If you are still convinced that your interest is more than casual and you are willing to undertake the study of falconry before getting a hawk, you must also be prepared to fulfill the additional requirements of  becoming a falconer.

TIME:
Time and patience devoted solely to training and flying a hawk are among the most important demands. The trained hawk requires a minimum amount of time, 365 days a year. A bird in training requires substantially more time. Raptors, unlike a rifle or a bow, cannot be hung on the wall and forgotten until the next hunting trip. If you cannot make the time to accommodate the hawk's needs for any reason, it is far better never to begin.

MONEY:
You must be able to provide food, shelter, equipment, and travel as a falconer. Hawks have very specific requirements for fresh, lean, raw meat. There are the housing and equipment requirements--most of them mandated by law--that require metal, leather, lumber, and the necessary tools, as well as your own skill in working with these materials. A library of falconry-related books is not required, but most falconers  spend considerable amounts of money on books as a source of vital information and enjoyment. You must be able to travel--obtaining a hawk, visiting other falconers, and the training and flying of a hawk will put many miles on a vehicle.

Saturday, June 09, 2001 06:05:41 AM