Advice Page

When most people talk about falconry they only refer to the birds being used or what they have caught up to that point. What about the falconer? Don't they have needs that should be covered too? Topics like appropriate weather for flying or proper amount of land that is needed to hunt a certain kind of bird. Well that is just the kind of advice that will be addressed in this section. It can't really be referred to as a FAQ page because these are questions that are not asked that frequently or are overlooked all together.

William Oakes, Master Falconer and Author, has agreed to help out with his advice on questions. I will also be drawing from other resources such as books and online research. When ever possible I will include links to where I found my answers.

If there are any questions that you might have just drop me an email and between Mr. Oakes and myself we will do our best to answer it as quickly as possible. Remember that every question will have several possible answers to them. Plus not every answer that is given will be the one you are hoping to see. If there is a disagreement or suggestion, drop me a line on that as well. This is supposed to be for information and learning so I will post all applicable responses.

Q: What are items that are normally not mentioned that an apprentice might need to purchase for hunting?
W. Oakes: Things you might not readily find in your closet are good boots, a warm jacket that can withstand briars and thorns, possibly some chaps, a hunting bag or vest and a good walking/beating stick.
Cabela's is a great place to find almost everything you might need.

Q: What equipment would you advise just buying and not trying to make?
W. Oakes: leather, Sampo swivels, bells, leash, perch, scale and whistle
Northwoods has everything on this list.

Q: Is there a certain kind of whistle that is preferred?
W. Oakes: Not really, just as long as it is plastic. Plastic ones will not freeze to your lips in the winter time.

Q: what do you think about the "bungee" type of leash? Does it actually save the birds at times when they bate?
W. Oakes: I do think the bungee leashes are good for the newly trapped passager. They help relieve the strain on the tarsi during a bate, and they bate a lot for the first few months.

Q: Is there a basic guide as to the amount of land that is needed to fly a specific type of bird?
W. Oakes: The answer has to do with the 'size' of the huntable situations. Let's say that I have ducks in my area. Is that enough to warrant getting a gyrfalcon or peregrine? When might I wish to opt for a goshawk rather than a large falcon to hunt ducks?

If the ducks I have are on small streams and along woodlots ... rather than out in ponds away from trees a bit, then I am better off with the goshawk. Falcons can't really catch ducks if flown from the fist. They have to be waiting on, and the more trees and cover there is close by for the ducks to hide in, the less successful the falcon will be. The goshawk, on the other hand, is a direct attack specialist, directly from the fist, in tight cover situations.

Another consideration is range. If you have your gyrfalcon waiting on at 500 feet, how far can it see? What might it see? If it were to fly after ducks that are on a pond on the other side of a huge woodlot, you would not see the flight, not see the kill (if any), and be in a mad scramble to get over to her. All because you were flying in an area of small clearings with a high flying falcon. Remember, a stooping falcon needs the duck to be out in the open for a while. So it can't be too close to cover. Try as you might, you won't be able to provide the types of slips on quarry that your falcon needs and deserves.

Maybe that is what is meant by having enough space to hunt in. In any case, these are important considerations.