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Although falconry, or hunting with trained
raptors, has been practiced for centuries, first by the Chinese, then
by the Arabs, and then worldwide, it was only legalized here in the New
Jersey in 1980. Teddy explained that it is a highly regulated activity
which requires, among other things, that prospective falconers find a
Master Falconer who is willing to accept them as an apprentice for two
years. They also need to build the required housing for a raptor prior
to acquiring a bird (the housing is inspected to ensure that it meets
certain standards).
An immature goshawk. Its eyes will turn
a deep red color when it matures. |
After obtaining a legal bird (one bought
or received as a gift) he or she must prove that they can keep it
alive and well (in adequate housing) for one year under the supervision
of the Master Falconer before obtaining a hunting license for falconers.
They must also pass a written test administered by the state. Depending
on where they are in the process of becoming a falconer they can only
possess certain species of raptors as each species has unique characteristics
that help the falconer better understand the art of training these
birds for hunting. He or she is subject to many government regulations
and laws (both state and federal) and they must be prepared for periodic
unannounced inspections to ensure that the bird is being properly
cared for.
Teddy's slides gave us a glimpse into
the various raptor species such as the harpy eagle, screech
owl, Coopers hawk, American kestrel, various kinds
of buteos, gyre falcons from the Arctic, peregrine
falcons and the Bateleur eagle from Africa. One interesting
fact about all birds of prey is that their feathers push down to
replace old ones so that they are never without a full body of feathers.
The other is that a raptor's ears, located under its eyes, are not
symmetrical but rather one is placed higher than the other which
contributes toward their ability to hear.
She also pointed out that falconers
don't limit their activities to hunting but some concentrate their
efforts on rehabilitating injured raptors such as the hawk shown
on one of her slides whose tail had been bitten off by a cat. Others
focus their attention on banding. While doing so, information such
as wingspan, age and gender of the trapped bird is written down
and voice recordings of their cries are made; this is important
because every raptor has its own unique voice. Once finished, the
bird is released.
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According to Teddy, a falconer may use a
wild-caught bird (an immature or passage hawk trapped in the months of
October thru December) or one that has been bred in captivity. In either
case manning, or acclimating the bird to being around people and
their world, and dogs, can take about three weeks from the day it is captured.
Teddy said that wild raptors typically have parasites, worms and lice
that the falconer eradicates. Once in captivity, the bird begins to view
the falconer as an easy and reliable source of food; this forms the basis
of their partnership in hunting.
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Within two or three days of capture,
the falconer will begin training the bird to come to her. She places
a piece of meat on her protected wrist and waits for the bird to
fly to pick it up and eat it. The falconer will gradually increase
the distance in which the bird must fly to obtain the food. This
first step takes place inside with the bird attached to a tether;
once accomplished the bird will be taken outside to be trained in
the same way. During the months ahead the bird will be kept at what
Teddy described as conditioning weight, neither overly hungry nor
overfull.
In preparation for actual hunting the
falconer will attach furniture (bells) with a leather strap
(jess) around each of the bird's legs; the different pitches
of the bells are used to alert the falconer of the bird's location
when out in the field. The hood, which serves to calm birds while
they are in captivity, is removed from the bird (called striking
the hood) prior to hunting as well as the tether giving the bird
the chance to fly free. Most people think that falconers hunt in
rural areas, and although many do, the fact that they use a hawk
to catch game rather than a firearm means that they are able to
hunt in areas that have lots of buildings and people, such as in
industrial parks.
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Hoods are used to help keep birds calm.
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Teddy shared with us that on a number of
occasions, while out hunting with the hawk and Suli, well-meaning individuals
nearby become anxious and want to rescue the dog from the hawk. They don't
see Teddy and are at first unaware of the reality of the situation until
she comes into view.
Suli, a long-haired dachshund that Teddy
uses to flush game for Odessa. |
Teddy began the "show and tell"
part of her talk by introducing us to Suli, a longhaired miniature
dachshund and an integral part of her hunting team. Because of his
short legs (their height is 1/3 the length of his body), he is well
suited to getting into the brush, tracking and flushing out game.
As stated before, Suli is a field champion
and has been bred specifically for this purpose. When out in the
field hunting, it's Suli's job to track and flush out game from
the brush; the hawk who has been untethered and above in the trees,
zooms down to capture it. When a bird captures game, the hawk will
receive its reward of food (a piece of meat) she pulls from one
bag in exchange for the catch, which she surreptitiously puts in
another.
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The first raptor Teddy brought out of its
mews was a wild-caught red-tailed hawk that was in adult plumage
(a haggard) and had been loaned to her for her presentation. It
is the most common bird of prey and adept at catching squirrels. It has
a life span of 20 - 25 years and weighs about 3 pounds. In the wild only
1 of 4 eggs actually makes it to maturity.
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Teddy then brought out an immature
Goshawk. It had been taken out of its nest when two weeks old and
raised on the dining room table. So far it has caught 30 - 40 ducks
for the person who has been training it. She could be aptly named
Miss Personality because of the interest she showed in everything
that was going on and in all of the people in the room.
Teddy then brought out her own hawk,
an adult Harris hawk named Odessa that was bred in captivity.
What a beauty she was with her dark feathers which those in the
audience had the chance to stroke if they wished. Something unique
about Harris hawks that Teddy shared was that in the wild they often
hunt in family groups. They are especially cooperative with people.
In the wild their prey is predominantly frogs, lizards, and small
birds. Their range extends from the southwest United States down
into South America, though it appears that it is extending north.
She also pointed out that falconers
don't limit their activities to hunting but some concentrate their
efforts on rehabilitating injured raptors such as the hawk shown
on one of her slides whose tail had been bitten off by a cat. Others
focus their attention on banding. While doing so, information such
as wingspan, age and gender of the trapped bird is written down
and voice recordings of their cries are made; this is important
because every raptor has its own unique voice. Once finished, the
bird is released.
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Teddy shows off the beautiful color
of a red-tailed hawk's tail feathers. |
We really appreciate all of the time and
effort Teddy put into exposing us to this fascinating world. It is easy
to see how the passion that falconers the world over have for the sport
can, as Teddy said, border on "obsession".
Thank you again, Teddy.
- Sandy Norman
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