Falconry training and technique

Anyone in the USA who is interested in flying raptors must seek out a state and federally licensed falconer to sponsor them through an apprenticeship period lasting two years at a minimum, and often considerably longer.

A good reference on these jesses is "Care And Management of Captive Raptors" by Lori Arent & Mark Martell, published by the University of Minnesota: this guide is very popular with zoos and wildlife centers, though it is not a traditional falconry book.

In order to form the loops the swivel or clips will attach to, a nylon parachute cord is hollowed out, threaded up through itself using an awl, and knotted.

Most importantly, hunting/flying jesses do not have the slit which can often get caught on a branch or bush, leaving the bird hanging too high up in the tree to be retrieved.

Above that range of weight, the bird will be unresponsive in the field, lacking in motivation to hunt or return to the falconer in timely fashion.

These laws ensure that the facilities meet what is required to safely and humanely house a bird of prey.

The laws and regulations generally prescribe characteristics that would allow a captive raptor some measure of security and health maintenance in the absence of an attentive experienced falconer.

Much depends on the species of raptor, the housing of the falconer, the weather, and the style of keeping, training and hunting.

In the UK the only law concerned requires the bird to be able to spread its wings in all directions, however in practice a much greater space is needed to avoid conditions such as bumblefoot and depression.

If pure meat is fed, falconers must feed additional roughage, such as fur and feathers, as most raptors require them to digest properly.

Alternatively, falconers feed their birds whole food such as mouse or quail, reducing the need for supplements and additional roughage.

The better manned a falconry bird is, the more calm and less likely it will be to engage in a fight or flight response around people.

Since many of these birds would otherwise die (estimates run from 30 to 70 percent) within their first year, the taking of juvenile hawks by falconers has no noticeable effect on raptor populations.

This results in eyass hawks sometimes becoming 'food-aggressive', constantly screaming for food or attention or being unnecessarily 'footy' (to grab aggressively at the falconer).

Today experienced falconers know how to rear an imprint so that it has few or none of these undesirable behaviors, but it is time-consuming and requires unswerving dedication for a period of about three months.

This provides the imprint eyass with an opportunity to learn to use its wings and develop musculature as well as the ability to fly in adverse conditions—advantages that the chamber-raised bird does not have.

Sometimes a mount for it may be attached to one of the center tail feathers by very careful application of a small drop of Superglue.

By listening to how the signal gains or loses strength a practised person can gauge if the bird is sitting still, if it is flying, and what direction it is going in.

Many people who have not trained under a truly qualified master falconer have the impression that falconry is easy, simple fun and is an excuse to live with wild animals.

Websites or blogs featuring uninformed individuals buying several newly fledged captive bred hawks and then turning them outside to "hunt" are as far from the sport of falconry as can be imagined.

They are ready sparrow hunters, and as they are so small one must pay close attention to their weight and training to avoid hurting them.

Owls can be extremely difficult to hunt with, as they find prey more by hearing than their diurnal (daytime) counterparts.

Throughout the United States, for example, the falconer will be required to pass a written exam, build facilities, have them inspected, serve a two-year apprenticeship, and keep diligent records on his or her birds.

These restrictions may not apply to the keeping of raptors for purposes other than hunting (such as wildlife rehabilitation), but such activities are not considered falconry.