Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!uokmax!munnari.oz.au!metro!grivel!gara!rjacobs
From: rjacobs@gara.une.oz.au ( ABRI)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: Info on Falconry
Message-ID: <4699@gara.une.oz.au>
Date: 15 Nov 90 23:47:02 GMT
Organization: University of New England, Armidale, Australia
Lines: 73



Subject: Re: Info on Falconry
Newsgroups: rec.birds

James,

You are mistaken in your assumption that birds of prey are no longer
used for hunting. Most serious falconers would use their birds for
hunting during sometime of the year. Of course the hunting is NOT only
for recreation, but helps keep the bird healthy and fit. It is very
difficult to keep raptors (at least medium to large ones) fit by only
exercising them with short flights to the fist. The other advantage to
the bird is that hunting provides a variation in the diet which can help
overcome to some extent the limitations of feeding your bird only chicks or
quail etc.

Falconry is not an art, but a science. There is not magic to falconry, but an
understanding of some basic principles and of the nature of your bird. Raptors
are very simple-minded animals and a good falconer understands their basic
instincts and uses these instincts to train the bird. But I have never seen
a raptor that has been tamed, like a dog or horse is tamed. Instead, you
learn to understand their nature and work with that. Nevertheless, a handler
does learn to love and respect his birds because of their nature and despite
the fact that you never become beloved companions (like a dog can be).

There are many books on falconry. Your public library is probably a good
source. The best modern book that deals with traditional methods that I
have read is by Philip Glasser and publ. in 1988 (I think). He was the founder
of the Falconry Centre in Newmarket, UK, but now has passed that job onto his
daughter. Sorry, I can't remember the name of the book (I don't have my copy
with me), but it was published in the UK and was not available in North 
America. However, you local bookstore should be able to locate the agent and
import a copy for you. Another, author I would recommend is Frank Beebe from
Vancouver. He wrote several books that are good, but not as clear as Glasser
for a beginner. However, Beebe talks about some of the North American birds
which some of the UK books do not cover. 

I think you will find it helpful to go to your library and read whatever you
can, but you will find many books which have large sections in them that
are either rubbish or dangerous to your bird. But you will only know this
by gaining experience and thinking about your birds behaviour. I'm sure
there are experienced falconers in the Buffalo area and you may locate them
through a club or through the North American Falconry Association (NAFA).
Perry McGehee tells me NAFA can be contacted via their secretary
Charlotte Freienmuth
354 County Rd 229
Durango, CO 81301

NAFA costs $25/year to join and they publish a regular newsletter and have
conferences periodically.

I know of a falconer who is about 3 hrs from you and who holds classes
for beginners and intermediate falconers a couple of times a year. He is
Wilfred Emonts and lives in Totenham, Ontario (about 45 mins north of Toronto)
and can be contacted on (416) 936-5469. I attended one of his courses and
was very impressed with his knowledge. However, I found him to be an
egomaniac and extremely dogmatic in his views about falconry. But when I
was able to see past the dislike I developed for the man, I found him to
be a brilliant falconer and I learnt a great deal from him. Mind you, his
courses are expensive. I paid $500 for 6 days. Most people don't like Wilf,
because he rubs them the wrong way and also he has been involved in fights
with govt in Canada and US. He also breeds birds and although his birds are
usually more expensive than some other breeders, his birds are top quality
and no imprints. He is probably the most successful commercial breeder in
North America. 

Anyway, I hope that has been of some help. Good luck.

Ross Jacobs