The Complete Guide to Falconry

I bought this thinking it would get me excited to start falconry, and it did - but it also honestly scared me a little straight. The chapter on costs made me realize I needed to save for another year, and the daily time commitment bit was a reality check. I appreciate that it didn't try to sell me a kit. Well-written and very informative for a beginner.

This is the book I wish I'd had before I nearly made a very expensive mistake. I was about to drop $2,000 on a bird and gear based on a salesperson's word, but this guide walked me through the real numbers - the food bill alone was eye-opening. The self-assessment checklist made me realize I don't have the time right now, and I'm so grateful for that. It saved me from a miserable experience.

It's a decent overview, but I felt it leaned a bit too heavy on the 'are you sure you want to do this?' angle. I get it, it's a big commitment, but after the fifth time reading about the early mornings and frozen hands I was like, 'Alright, I get the point!' The cost breakdown and gear lists were helpful, but I was hoping for more of the 'wow' factor of falconry. It's more of a reality check than a romance.

As a single woman who works 9-5, I found the honesty here invaluable. The chapter on 'Is Falconry Right for You?' directly addressed my exact situation and helped me plan. I started scouting for a mentor after reading the chapter on learning, and the typical session description perfectly prepared me for my first week. This guide's realism is its greatest strength - it made me confident I can do this, but smarter.

Finally, a falconry book that doesn't talk down to you or try to make it sound easy. I loved the plain-language explanation of everything from jesses to mews. The sample summer budget was almost exactly what I spent last month after following the beginner's checklist. It's clear the author has been through the grind and wants you to succeed. Highly recommend for any serious beginner.

I rated it 3 stars because while it's certainly thorough and honest, I found the writing a little dry in places. The typical session chapter was good, but the first chapter could have used a bit more energy. A lot of the information is fairly standard stuff you could find online, but it's nice to have it all in one place. It's a solid book, just not a page-turner.

The breakdown of the apprenticeship and the legal steps is the most useful part of this guide. It's very focused on the US though, and the rules are really different where I live in Scotland. I had to cross-reference a lot. The gear list was fine, and the self-assessment checklist made me realize I'm better off volunteering at a local raptor center for a year to see if I'm really cut out for this. Good reality check.

I've been considering falconry for two years, reading forum posts and watching videos, and I always felt more confused after. This book cleared it all up. The budget tables are a lifesaver - I now know I need to budget about $2,500 to start, and the meal prep advice for the bird is already in action. The chapter about a typical session was so detailed, it made me feel like I'd already been out there once. Worth it for the checklist alone.