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The Complete Guide to Falconry
What it really costs, what you really need, and whether you're ready to take on a bird that will change your life
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: What Is Falconry and Why People Love It
Let’s get one thing straight before we go any further: falconry is not a hobby you pick up on a Saturday afternoon. It’s not like buying a kayak or a nice set of binoculars. It is a lifestyle choice that involves a wild animal, a significant chunk of your daily time, and a legal commitment that can last decades. But it is also, genuinely, one of the most extraordinary relationships a human being can have with the natural world.
So what does it actually involve?
At its core, falconry is the practice of hunting wild quarry with a trained bird of prey. You are not taming the bird; you are making a deal with it. The deal is simple and brutal: you and the bird go hunting together, and the bird gets the meal. The bird is not your pet. It doesn't love you the way a dog loves you. It tolerates you because you provide food and a safe place to live, and because you are a useful hunting partner. It’s a business arrangement, but one that, over time, develops into something far deeper - a mutual trust built on consistent, predictable behavior.
The day-to-day reality is where the romance either survives or dies. Let’s look at a typical day in the life of a falconer, say, in the middle of the hunting season. Your alarm goes off at 6:30 AM. It’s probably cold, maybe raining, maybe dark. You