Falconry, the ancient art of hunting with birds of prey, requires more than just ‘interest’ to start with. It requires discipline, commitment, and understating the bird’s behaviour to embark on the journey. For Beginners, you need to develop a strong connection with the bird remaining calm and composed throughout the training.
Once you understand the bird well, rest becomes a bit easy to get along with. In this article, we’ll shed light on useful tips for beginners to get started with the sport of falconry.
1. Discipline and Persistence is the key in Falconry
Falconry is a sport and lifestyle. It requires patience, discipline, and persistence to master this art. You need to be prepared to work consistently with your falcon even when the progress seems slow. Spend time with your falcon, understand the behavioural patterns and be calm as raptors are sensitive to your emotions.
Falconry requires time and patience to ace the training and build your grip. It doesn’t happen overnight. Try to spend time with your hawk or falcon to understand them in a better way.
2. Seek Professional Guidance
If you want to master the art of falconry, it’s crucial to seek professional guidance from experienced falconers. They have years of knowledge and experience that can help you understand this ancient art of hunting and make your journey easy.
In addition, read books on falconry and gain more knowledge before you get started. The more knowledge and awareness you’ve, the easier it will be to start your journey.
3. Build Trust and a Strong Connection
When you bring the bird home, make sure to spend ample time with it. This will help you understand each other and make you used to each other’s presence. Before the falcon can take any command from you, it must feel safe around you and see the owner as a non-threat entity.
Building trust and a strong connection can enhance the falconry training progress. In addition, choose quality falconry gloves and protective equipment to ease the training.
4. Monitor Falcon’s Behaviour and Health
Falcons are wild animals and are way different than traditional pets. They need proper care and attention to stay well and active. Monitor their diet and meat-consumption, try to maintain the optimal weight to function well. In addition, they need regular training and exercise to keep them healthy.
However, restrict to short sessions as short sessions are more engaging and it prevents boredom in the bird. Monitor before and after falcon’s behavior to spot any health issue and address it timely.
5. Fulfill the Legal Requirements
Obtain your falconry license to practice it freely. In most jurisdictions, you need to pass an exam administered by your state to check your grip in the relevant field. For instance, in the United States not only do you need to pass the exam but also complete an apprenticeship under a licensed falconer to get a falconry permit.
Therefore, fulfill all the legal compliances to avoid any inconvenience later in your falconry journey.
In a nutshell, with proper professional guidance, learning falcon’s behavioural patterns, and fulfilling the legal aspects, you can embark your journey as a falconer. It is a journey of knowledge, patience, and persistence that can teach you alot in the long run.