Any Falconers on the board

[jcoosi]

Just curious have a good friend that is in his apprenticeship and has been working with his redtail hawk. I went out and seen it the other night. He has him coming to him from 100 ft away. He said he was going to hunt him when the leaves fall of a little more. Very interesting hobby for sure. The hawk is very calm now I was standing within arms length of him and he didn't seem bothered a bit.

[TrickyNicky]

Two words.

Freakin Bad A$$!!

[rugerla1]

Two words.

Freakin Bad A$$!!

^^^^ THIS! That is so awesome!!

[DaveS]

Two words.

Freakin Bad A$$!!

Nicky, that's three words in this part of the state!

I've always been interested in Falconry, just never knew where to start. Watched a fella rabbit hunt with one last year and it was amazing to watch!

 

DaveS

[TrickyNicky]

Nicky, that's three words in this part of the state!

 
DaveS

Pfft, rules. I don't care for rules. My grammar is like water Dave, it goes where it wants and does as it pleases.

[.357SIG]

I am not a falconer but I have worked at Reelfoot Lake State Park. It is a bird of prey rehabilitation facility. It was definitely the coolest job that I have had, i mean who wouldn't enjoy working with Bald Eagles. I was able to rehabilitate and do programs with the majority of the birds of prey native to the state. I learned a lot working there and will probably look at getting into falconry in the future.

[DaveS]

Pfft, rules. I don't care for rules. My grammar is like water Dave, it goes where it wants and does as it pleases.

I hear ya Bro!

 

DaveS

[NRA]

I drove a Ford Falcon in High school, does that count?

[10-Ring]

I looked into it at one point in time when I had a lot more time and money.  I think tha falconry is more of a way of life than it is a hobby.  After great consideration I decided not to get into it as I didn't feel comfortable making the commitment required to take care of the birds.

[peejman]

My wife volunteered and then worked at the Bays Mtn Park Raptor center for a number of years.  Since we've moved she volunteered at the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge for a while and now she's volunteering with the birds at the Knoxville Zoo.  It's a lot of work, but she really enjoys it.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I drove a Ford Falcon in High school, does that count?

 Did you use it to catch any foxes or to get any beaver?

[E4 No More]

I have always been fascinated with the Red-tailed Hawk. Beautiful creatures, they are, (in my best Hagrid voice).

[reed1285]

I looked into it at one point in time when I had a lot more time and money. I think tha falconry is more of a way of life than it is a hobby. After great consideration I decided not to get into it as I didn't feel comfortable making the commitment required to take care of the birds.

This. Ive read its a huge commitment that takes many many years to master. iirc you have to be an apprentice for a couple years before going all in. Most definitely a way of life. I could never do it but would love to watch it at some point.

[jcoosi]

You are correct it is a several year apprentience program.

[TripleDigitRide]

Are you required to keep them caged and/or tied up? Will they fly away, or will they always come home, similar to homing pigeons?

[10-Ring]

They are kept on a stand, tetered by their jesses.  A raptor can leave at its own will during a hunt and never come back if it chooses.  Normally they will return to the falconer as soon as they get finished hunting.