Soaring High: A Complete Guide to Training Your First Falcon

Falconry, the ancient art of hunting with a trained raptor, is a deeply rewarding but immensely challenging pursuit. Successfully training a falcon requires dedication, patience, understanding of avian behavior, and a significant time commitment. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in training your first falcon, from acquisition to the thrill of the hunt. Please note that falconry is heavily regulated. Before embarking on this journey, research and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including obtaining the necessary permits and licenses. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional instruction.

Is Falconry Right for You?

Before even considering acquiring a falcon, honestly assess if you have the resources, time, and temperament for this demanding endeavor. Falconry is not a casual hobby; it’s a lifestyle. Consider the following:

* **Time Commitment:** Falconry requires daily attention. You’ll need to dedicate time to feeding, weighing, training, and flying your falcon, often multiple times a day.
* **Financial Resources:** Falconry involves significant expenses, including the cost of the bird, equipment (gloves, bells, telemetry, perches, etc.), food, veterinary care, and potential travel for hunting.
* **Space:** You’ll need adequate space to house your falcon, both indoors (during molting or inclement weather) and outdoors (a secure weathering area).
* **Knowledge:** A thorough understanding of raptor behavior, health, and training techniques is crucial. Seek mentorship from experienced falconers.
* **Emotional Resilience:** Training a falcon can be frustrating. Birds are individuals with their own personalities and learning curves. Patience and perseverance are essential.
* **Legal Requirements:** Thoroughly research and understand the legal regulations governing falconry in your area. Obtain all necessary permits and licenses.

If you’ve carefully considered these factors and are still passionate about falconry, the next step is to prepare for the arrival of your falcon.

Step 1: Obtaining the Necessary Permits and Licenses

This is arguably the most important step. Falconry is strictly regulated to protect wild raptor populations and ensure humane treatment. Contact your local wildlife agency (Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, etc.) to inquire about the specific requirements in your area. Generally, the process involves:

* **Application:** Submitting an application for a falconry permit.
* **Written Examination:** Passing a written examination demonstrating your knowledge of raptor biology, health, training, and regulations.
* **Facilities Inspection:** Having your falconry facilities (mews and weathering area) inspected to ensure they meet specific standards for safety and hygiene.
* **Apprenticeship:** Completing a mandatory apprenticeship under the guidance of a licensed general or master falconer. This is an invaluable opportunity to learn practical skills and gain hands-on experience.

Do not attempt to acquire or train a falcon without the necessary permits. Violating falconry regulations can result in hefty fines, confiscation of your bird, and potential legal penalties.

Step 2: Building Your Falconry Facilities

Your falcon’s health and well-being depend on the quality of its housing. You’ll need two primary structures:

* **The Mew:** An indoor enclosure that protects the falcon from extreme weather and provides a safe space during molting. The mew should be:
* **Secure:** Constructed with strong materials to prevent escape or entry by predators.
* **Spacious:** Large enough for the falcon to fly short distances and avoid damaging its feathers.
* **Clean:** Easy to clean and disinfect to prevent the spread of disease.
* **Well-Ventilated:** Providing adequate airflow to prevent the buildup of ammonia and other harmful gases.
* **Light:** Offering natural light or artificial lighting that mimics natural daylight.
* **Equipped:** With appropriate perches (block perches, bow perches, or shelf perches) designed for the specific type of falcon you’ll be training.
* **The Weathering Area:** An outdoor enclosure that allows the falcon to enjoy fresh air and sunlight. The weathering area should be:
* **Secure:** Preventing escape and protecting the falcon from predators.
* **Spacious:** Providing ample room for the falcon to move around.
* **Sheltered:** Offering protection from wind, rain, and excessive sun.
* **Equipped:** With a bow perch or block perch suited to the falcon’s size and needs.

Consult with experienced falconers or your supervising falconer for guidance on designing and building appropriate facilities.

Step 3: Acquiring Your First Falcon

As an apprentice falconer, you’ll typically be restricted to certain species of raptors. Common choices for beginners include:

* **American Kestrel:** A small falcon that is relatively easy to train and handle. However, kestrels primarily hunt insects and small rodents, which may limit hunting opportunities.
* **Red-Tailed Hawk:** A buteo (hawk) commonly used in falconry. Red-tails are larger and more powerful than kestrels, and they can hunt larger prey, such as rabbits and squirrels.
* **Harris’s Hawk:** A social hawk that is often flown in groups (although you would start with one). Harris’s hawks are intelligent and relatively easy to train, making them a good option for beginners in some regions. Note that regulations on Harris’s Hawks vary depending on the location due to their introduction and establishment in some environments.

Acquire your falcon from a reputable source, such as a licensed raptor propagator or a falconer who is transferring a bird. Wild-caught birds are also sometimes an option, depending on local regulations and availability, but this often requires additional permitting and may involve trapping the bird under the supervision of experienced personnel.

When selecting a falcon, consider the following:

* **Health:** The bird should appear healthy, with bright eyes, clean feathers, and a good appetite.
* **Temperament:** Choose a bird that is relatively calm and receptive to handling. Avoid birds that appear excessively nervous or aggressive.
* **Age:** Young birds (eyasses or passage birds) are generally easier to train than older, more established birds.

Before taking possession of the falcon, have it examined by a qualified avian veterinarian to ensure it is free from disease and parasites.

Step 4: Initial Handling and Manning

“Manning” refers to the process of acclimating the falcon to human presence and handling. This is a crucial step in building trust and establishing a bond with your bird. The goal is to make the falcon feel comfortable and secure in your presence.

* **Equipment:** Before handling your falcon, ensure you have the appropriate equipment:
* **Falconry Glove:** A thick leather glove that protects your hand from the falcon’s talons. It’s usually made of cowhide, pigskin, or kangaroo leather.
* **Jesses:** Leather straps that are attached to the falcon’s legs and used to secure it to the perch or to your glove.
* **Swivel:** A small metal device that connects the jesses to the leash, preventing the leash from twisting and tangling.
* **Leash:** A strong cord or leather strap used to tether the falcon to your glove or perch.
* **Scales:** Accurate digital scales for weighing the falcon. Weight management is critical for training.
* **Initial Handling:**
* **Approach Calmly:** Approach the falcon slowly and calmly, avoiding sudden movements.
* **Offer Food:** Offer a small piece of food (e.g., quail, chicken, or mouse) on your gloved hand. This will help the falcon associate you with positive experiences.
* **Gentle Stroking:** Gently stroke the falcon’s chest or back while it is eating. Avoid touching the head or wings initially.
* **Short Sessions:** Keep handling sessions short (5-10 minutes) and frequent (several times a day).
* **Manning Techniques:**
* **Standing on the Fist:** Gradually increase the amount of time the falcon spends standing on your gloved fist. Start with short intervals and gradually increase the duration as the falcon becomes more comfortable.
* **Carrying the Falcon:** Carry the falcon on your fist in different environments (indoors, outdoors, in quiet areas, and eventually in more stimulating environments). This will help the falcon become accustomed to different sights, sounds, and smells.
* **Exposure to Stimuli:** Gradually expose the falcon to various stimuli, such as cars, people, dogs, and other animals. This will help desensitize the falcon to distractions and prevent it from becoming easily frightened.
* **Creance Flying:** Once the falcon is comfortable standing on your fist, you can begin creance flying. This involves attaching a long, lightweight line (the creance) to the falcon’s jesses and allowing it to fly short distances. This helps build the falcon’s flight muscles and teaches it to return to your fist.

During the manning process, pay close attention to the falcon’s body language. If the falcon appears stressed or frightened, stop the session and try again later. The goal is to build trust and confidence, not to force the falcon into submission.

Step 5: Weight Management

Weight management is a cornerstone of falconry training. A falcon that is too heavy will be reluctant to fly or hunt, while a falcon that is too light will be weak and susceptible to illness. Determining the correct flying weight for your falcon is an ongoing process that requires careful observation and adjustment.

* **Weighing the Falcon:** Weigh the falcon every day, preferably at the same time, using accurate digital scales. Record the weight in a logbook or spreadsheet.
* **Monitoring Appetite:** Observe the falcon’s appetite and feeding behavior. A healthy falcon will eat readily and enthusiastically.
* **Assessing Crop Fill:** After feeding, check the falcon’s crop (a pouch in the bird’s throat where food is stored). A properly filled crop should feel firm but not overly distended.
* **Adjusting Food Intake:** Adjust the amount of food you give the falcon based on its weight, appetite, and behavior. If the falcon is gaining weight, reduce its food intake. If the falcon is losing weight, increase its food intake.
* **Determining Flying Weight:** The ideal flying weight for a falcon is the weight at which it is most responsive to training and eager to fly and hunt. This weight will vary depending on the individual falcon and the type of activity you are training it for.

Finding the optimal flying weight requires experience and careful observation. Consult with your supervising falconer for guidance.

Step 6: Training Techniques: The Lure and the Creance

The lure and the creance are essential tools for training a falcon. The lure is a padded object, often resembling a small animal, that is used to entice the falcon to fly. The creance, as mentioned before, is a long line attached to the falcon’s jesses that allows it to fly short distances while remaining under control.

* **The Lure:**
* **Introduction:** Introduce the lure to the falcon by showing it and offering a small piece of food when the falcon approaches.
* **Swinging the Lure:** Begin swinging the lure gently to attract the falcon’s attention. Gradually increase the speed and complexity of the swings.
* **Calling to the Lure:** Call the falcon to the lure while you are swinging it. Use a consistent call or whistle that the falcon will associate with the lure.
* **Rewarding the Falcon:** When the falcon catches the lure, reward it with a small piece of food.
* **Increasing Distance:** Gradually increase the distance between you and the falcon when you are calling it to the lure.
* **Varying Terrain:** Practice calling the falcon to the lure in different terrains and environments.
* **The Creance:**
* **Creance Flying Basics:** Ensure the creance is securely attached to the falcon’s jesses before each flight.
* **Controlled Flights:** Allow the falcon to fly short distances on the creance, gradually increasing the distance as the falcon becomes more confident.
* **Recall Training:** Practice recalling the falcon to your fist while it is on the creance. Use the same call or whistle that you use when calling it to the lure.
* **Landing on the Fist:** Encourage the falcon to land on your fist when you recall it. Reward it with a small piece of food when it lands successfully.
* **Preventing Tangling:** Be mindful of the creance and prevent it from tangling around obstacles. Always keep a firm grip on the creance to maintain control of the falcon.

The lure and the creance are used in conjunction to teach the falcon to fly to the fist, chase the lure, and eventually, hunt wild game. Patience and consistency are key to success.

Step 7: Free Flying and Hunting

Once the falcon is consistently responding to the lure and the creance, you can begin free flying it. This is the ultimate goal of falconry – to fly your falcon free and watch it hunt its natural prey.

* **Choosing a Safe Location:** Select a safe and open location for free flying, away from roads, power lines, and other hazards. Ensure the location is suitable for hunting the type of prey you want your falcon to pursue.
* **Telemetry:** Attach a telemetry transmitter to the falcon’s jesses or tail. This will allow you to track the falcon’s location if it flies out of sight. It is important to have a compatible receiver to track the signal from the transmitter.
* **Initial Free Flights:** Begin with short free flights in a familiar location. Release the falcon from your fist and allow it to fly freely for a few minutes before recalling it to the lure.
* **Hunting Flights:** Once the falcon is reliably returning to the lure, you can begin hunting flights. Flush game (e.g., rabbits, squirrels, or birds) and allow the falcon to pursue it. Be prepared to assist the falcon if it is having difficulty catching its prey.
* **Post-Flight Care:** After each flight, check the falcon for injuries and provide it with fresh water and food.

Free flying and hunting require a high level of skill and experience. It’s essential to work closely with your supervising falconer and to progress gradually. Remember that the falcon’s safety and well-being are paramount.

Step 8: Ongoing Maintenance and Care

Falconry is a lifelong commitment. Once your falcon is trained, you must continue to provide it with proper care and maintenance to ensure its health and well-being.

* **Daily Care:** This includes feeding, weighing, checking for injuries, cleaning the mews and weathering area, and providing fresh water.
* **Regular Veterinary Care:** Schedule regular checkups with a qualified avian veterinarian to monitor the falcon’s health and prevent disease. This includes fecal exams, blood tests, and vaccinations as needed.
* **Feather Maintenance:** Inspect the falcon’s feathers regularly and address any damage or breakage. Damaged feathers can impair the falcon’s flight and hunting ability.
* **Molting:** Falcons molt (shed old feathers and grow new ones) annually. During molting, provide the falcon with a quiet, stress-free environment and a diet rich in nutrients.
* **Equipment Maintenance:** Regularly inspect and maintain your falconry equipment, including jesses, leashes, swivels, and telemetry. Replace any worn or damaged items.

Ethical Considerations

Falconry is a privilege that comes with significant responsibilities. Always practice falconry ethically and responsibly.

* **Respect for Wildlife:** Treat all wildlife with respect and avoid causing unnecessary harm.
* **Sustainable Hunting Practices:** Only hunt in areas where it is legal and sustainable to do so. Avoid over-hunting or depleting local prey populations.
* **Public Education:** Educate the public about falconry and its role in conservation.
* **Compliance with Regulations:** Always comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

Conclusion

Training your first falcon is a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. By following these steps and seeking guidance from experienced falconers, you can embark on a lifelong journey of learning and discovery. Remember that patience, dedication, and a deep respect for these magnificent birds are essential for success. Falconry is more than just a hobby; it’s a partnership, a tradition, and a profound connection to the natural world.

**Disclaimer:** This guide provides general information about falconry. It is not a substitute for professional instruction. Always consult with experienced falconers and comply with all applicable regulations before attempting to train a falcon.