Yes it is a passion even a love of the birds themselves that is the initial reason that some one searches out a way to be closer to them. With that love comes a respect as well. A level that is rarely achieved by any human that is not family related or hero-worshipped. The birds are given an almost godlike status at times. The effort and commitment that has to be given even before the first bird is acquired would attest to nothing less.

Back in the medieval times falconry was seen as a way to hunt and very little more. There was some stature that went with it in that you could afford to keep such a bird. Other than that it was seen as a means to an end. With the invention of the bow and ultimately the gun, the call for falconry died off rapidly. It soon reached a point of an elitist’s sport and at one time was in danger of dying out as an art form completely.  The ease of grabbing a gun to go hunting was much more appealing than all the time it took to get a good hunting bird.

Here is just a very quick glimpse of what has to be done by the practicing falconer to maintain his or her bird for hunting. Proper housing must be built in order to keep the bird healthy as well as safe from other predators. After “manning” the bird a daily routine must be maintained to keep the bird well exercised and accustomed to the falconer. This regimen usually takes no less than an hour a day, longer if the bird is still newly acquired. Within this routine there is weighing to be done to make sure the bird is keeping a steady weight and ultimately good health. Exercise is done by flying the bird to and from certain points picked by the falconer, thus also maintaining the bond that has been developed between man and bird. This is also the time for feedings and any extra care the bird might require such as repairing feathers, trimming talons and checking beak condition.

Now with the fact this must be done on a daily basis you must also take into account the fact that the falconer is “wed” to the bird. This means that there are no long vacations or even quick weekend trips with out planning on taking the bird with you. Federal regulations are as such that you may not just “drop off” your bird with a friend for the weekend and go hopping off somewhere.

Oh by the way, did I forget to mention the fact that this is all federally regulated. You must first pass a test that demonstrates your knowledge of raptors, their care, housing and recognizing known illnesses. Then once you have spit that on to paper for all to see you must find some one to apprentice you for at least the first two years you are practicing falconry. Plus you must have your equipment checked by a federal agent, U.S. Dept. Of Fish and Game. After all that is done then you can try to catch your first bird. Yep you have to catch your first bird. Can’t just go and buy one at the local pet store. The last part is that you have to send out your invitation to the U.S. Dept. of Fish and Game to come on over and search your house whenever they deem appropriate. Filing all your new bird’s registration paperwork properly does exactly this.

So now you have your first bird and have gone through the first month’s time with it getting used to you and training it to fly to your fist, a very tough month to say the least. Yet when all is said and done you feel very fulfilled. There are a few points in time that you will remember over all others. The first time you touched your bird and looked into its eyes. The first time it sat on your fist with out wanting to jump off and hang by jesses now attached to its legs. More than any other though, is that first time your bird flies free and returns to your fist. With that very moment the bond is complete between falconer and bird. This bond grows through the flying season and on into the early spring. When a very difficult decision must be made. Whether you should keep the bird through the molt or to release it and catch another the next year.

Even though this seems like lots of work the pay offs are many and the experience is one that can never be replaced. Now this is by no means a complete listing of all that is involved with the art of falconry. I do hope that it gives you a small glimpse at the surface though of the dedication and actual love that is put into the keeping of a raptor.

This is only the most direct way that a falconer interacts with and helps raptors. Through conservation and propagation efforts huge strides have been made towards removing several species from the endangered list. The Peregrine falcon and the Bald Eagle being the most notable. It was believed that both of those raptors were beyond saving. As of 1999 the Peregrine was removed and four years prior to that our nations symbol was removed. This was not entirely due to falconry or its practitioners. It was a combined effort between the governments of the world and those who cared about the preservation of these two raptors.

It is an ongoing effort too. In many farming communities, Red Tailed hawks, Prairie falcons, Cooper’s hawks as well as several others are seen as nothing more than vermin, like rats and mice. Even though they are still federally protected, they are shot on site and caught in pole traps almost daily. This does not even take into account the natural predation and survival rates.

Most raptors only lay clutches of three or fewer eggs. Of which only one third survives. The others are kicked from the nest and the bigger one lives on. This is natural selection in its purest form. On top of this there is the hunter becoming the hunted. Many a hawk and falcon are lost during the twilight hours to other raptors, owls. It is not only restricted to those hours though. You can imagine the joy on a falconer’s face as he watches the bird he spent so much time bonding with making a kill. Turning to horror as he watches the same bird get killed in less than fifteen seconds Then very unceremoniously being eaten by the larger hawk that was circling overhead.