Air Arms Owners Club

Any one on here have and experience with falconry / birds of prey?
I've been asked if I'd be interested in taking on a bird and was hoping for some advice .

Hi Dan, I used to fly hawks and falcons, what do you need to know?

Here is answer I gave someone else a while ago......

Read as much as you can, spend as much time with someone who flys birds, decide what sort of flying you want to do, join a club (there are plenty out there), go on a course, get as much land as possible to fly on (and believe me that's harder than trying to get a permission to shoot), go on a course, sort out telemetry (and that's expensive) find a breeder, go on a course, find a vet that specialises in BoP cos you will need one at some stage, sort out insurance for the birds and your gear, find a good supplier of falconry equipment and food and don't forget you're going to need another freezer because her indoors doesn't like day old chicks and quail in the freezer in the kitchen, and did I mention about going on a course?.......and all of that before you even think about getting your hands on a bird. Make sure you have at least two hours a day to fly the bird and look after it ( the falconry season for hunting is through the winter not the summer as the bird molt through the summer )......and I hope you have a very understanding partner, cos when they decide to bugger off at 5.30pm on a Sunday afternoon when your Sunday dinner is on the table you're going to need one........if you know what I mean!

I don't fly birds now as I do not have the time.....but I really wish I did.

Good luck

Thanks for the good advice mate I really appreciate it . I've been on the phone to a guy today who's offered me some mentoring

nice things here is one . I dont fly them but are great to see.