Questions to ask before getting into falconry...
Falconry is a difficult sport when you start out. Just buying the common items needed for yourself and your bird is extremely difficult, and knowing that you stay at the bottom of the sport for two years or more is always a challenge to behold. Nevertheless, out of all of these things, the option of taking up falconry is a big deal. Many think that seeing the bird fly and grow into an adult, as well as hacking and releasing it back to the wild, can be an interesting and lovely feat to admire and do.
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CAN YOU KILL AN ANIMAL? A simple question, really. Yes, or no. When hunting, if your bird takes down an animal, you will have to look at the gross scene before you. But what if the job’s not done? You have to be willing to finish the animal yourself. This is the one question I say before we begin.
DO YOU HAVE THE TIME? Another thing to consider is how much time you have. During the first three days of manning your bird, you’ll need to spend most of your time in the mews, and handling your bird (which includes feeding, holding, etc.). Afterwards, you’ll need 2-5 hours a day or more to train the bird, and at least an hour after training is done for physical conditioning, not to mention going out on hunts every week or two for practice.
CAN YOU MEET THE COMMITMENT OF RELEASE/CARE? Releasing a bird usually happens 1-3 years after the initial capture and manning. This starts with a hack and ends in complete release. Are you willing to let go of that bond? If not, are you able to care for the bird and keep up with the time management for the raptor passed the lifespan it could reach in the wild? This could be over twenty years in some cases. Are you able to do this?
ARE YOU SUITED TO BEGIN THE COMMITMENT FALCONRY BRINGS? Falconry starts with studying (which you can use this page for, once it’s started up), from weight management to species differentiation, to how to properly set up a mews, to properly training the bird. After this, you have to take an exam and score at least an 80% (in most states), or find a sponsor. In certain states, taking the exam could be your second step, as a sponsor would help you study, but the exam could be your first step, to show you’re dedicated. After this, you have to spend up to two years for a few months each year as an apprentice before you become a general falconer. Are you sure you’re ready for this?
CAN YOU AFFORD FOR THE COST OF THE BIRD? Not only will you need to pay for a trap (or the materials to build the trap), but also materials for mews, equipment, vet fees, and food. In total (for the first year of buying equipment and such), it could be up to $5,000.
