his website is provided as an introduction for those who are interested in the sport and art of falconry. Falconry is an ancient form of hunting involving the use of a raptor such as a hawk or falcon. In order to become a successful hunter, a significant amount of management and training of a bird of prey is required. Becoming a falconer is a long process involving state and federal licensing, an exam, facility inspections, and a minimum of two years as an apprentice. Each step of this system is in place to ensure the health and safety of the bird.
There are other ways to become involved in falconry if you are not currently in a position to care for a raptor. Joining a local falconry organization and attending functions such as picnics or meets is one way to enjoy being around these magnificent animals. You can also support falconry and conscientious hunting by voting on related legislation. If you are interested in becoming more involved as a hunter now, read through the recommended materials on this site carefully and assess the criteria that you will have to meet.
ovember 11 - Various updates, addition of images for mutes, x-rays, and commentary from many contributors. Added a few images from this year's hunts.
ebruary 17 - Due to the misunderstanding on the part of some state authorities, the perches page has been updated for clarity. If regulators, law enforcement, or other authority would like further clarification on any positions or subtleties put forward here, I am always available for comment. The key to equipment, facility, and management is to find the combination which works for the particular climate, falconer, and falcon - and this varies greatly.
ecember 31 - Last updates of the year! Some new images and links. Added new mews for the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center's mews and flight cages.
ovember 25 - Various updates, particularly the mutes page. The General Health http://mybirds.ru/health/rap_health/ page and the Mutes page http://mybirds.ru/health/rap_health/mutes.php are now available in Russian.
ctober 21 - Various updates, created the new uropygial gland page, trachea page, ear page, and choanal page.
eptember 9 - Various updates; new mews added to mews page.
ay 5 - Various updates; new page to list all web pages and video clips.
pril 29 - Updated all videos on the website, including adding some new ones.
Note: If video clips do not launch automatically on your machine, right-click the link and select Save Link As... to save the video clip locally. The clip can be saved to your desktop, double-clicked, and played from there.
arch 24 - The US Air Force Academy falconry program kindly hosted me for an afternoon. Some of the images from this visit have been uploaded.
anuary 21 - Various updates around the equipment pages.
ecember 23 - Various updates, New page for raptor mutes.
ovember 6 - Various updates, particularly a new mews featured on the mews page.
ctober 25 - Various updates, created the new Horse and Hawk Connection.
uly 24 - Various updates, updated the Bookshelf considerably.
uly 18 - Various updates, added a bit on the swinging perch.
une 24 - Various updates, especially on the Legal page, added a page on chaps.
ay 15 - Added a quick set of instructions on casting your bird.
ay 14 - Added a quick section on anklets.
ay 1 - Added a section on Proper foot care.
pril 21 - Added Population Pools of Native Raptors, an amateur research paper about the current population pools, the impact of falconry, and the trends of our wild populations. Also added sprinkled videos throughout.
pril 15 - Added temporary possession template to help you hand your raptor over to another permittee for short-term care and include the necessary information.
pril 11 - Added Glossary of all terms used throughout the site and sprinkled touch-ups and additions.
arch 20 - Added new hoods and a section on coping and a few scattered updates.
arch 13 - Added the Publications section and a few scattered updates.
ebruary 27 - New hoods uploaded on hoods page. Neck bell photo added on bell page. New pictures added on photo gallery.
anuary 18 - Updated the page on mews.
anuary 10 - Added a page on how to tie a Falconer's Knot.
anuary 9 - Updated nutrition page with a short piece on rangle.
ecember 21 - Updated training pages with more extensive descriptions of operant conditioning techniques in raptor training.
ovember 25 - Added perch wrapping instructions.
ovember 7 - Overhauled the site; added a section on raptor electrocution, more on biology, and equipment. Place holders added for training pages, but these are not loaded up yet.
eptember 12 - Added hood information.
ugust 22 - Added biology and frequently asked questions as well as organized the links.
ugust 15 - Added pictures for various species.
ugust 8 - Added perch information, tire perch instructions, and more avian diseases.
uly 25 - Added hawk box instructions, avian first aid kit information, and disease page.