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Though I agree that falconers can be really hesitant to take on an apprentice, it is for good reason. The sport attracts many people who just want an exotic pet or have watched Harry Potter too many times. People don't realize that Falconry is 100% a hunting sport and takes much more commitment than most people can handle. There are no days off from Falconry, no matter the situation. So someone who is truly interested in Falconry should start off by doing their own research, passing the written exam and going to local Falconry club meetings. Most states have a Falconry organization of some sort. Going to meetings or asking to tag along on a hunt is a great way to meet falconers and potential sponsors.

Before you criticize you should educate yourself on the sport so your comment doesn't come from ignorance. The first thing you should know is that raptors used in the sport of falconry are never treated as "pets".....they are hunting partners. There is no real social bond between the raptor and the falconer. The raptor is also kept very much wild as it continues to pursue prey. Secondly, you should know that many raptors used in the sport of falconry are returned to the wild after the hunting season is over. This is fairly common practice and how I currently practice falconry. This raptor not only has had the best nutrition while with the falconer but they also are a much better hunter at the end of the season. This is due to the fact that they hunt much more frequently (every day in my case) than they would in the wild. It is not uncommon for a raptor to skip a day or two of hunting in the wild after a large meal. Raptors used in falconry not only hunt more frequently than their wild counterparts but they also go after larger prey than usual. This translates to them being a much more skilled hunter. Also, a vast majority of raptors do not make it to breeding age due to a variety of factors, mankind being one of the greatest threats. A raptor used in falconry is almost guaranteed to reach breeding age due to the care of the falconer. Many raptors have increased in population due to the sport of falconry. Research the Peregrine Falcon and how falconers were the major players in preventing that bird from going extinct. Lastly, if you don't agree with falconry, don't be a worthless troll and seek out videos to make ignorant and uneducated comments towards.

@@TheDesertSportsman I'm a scientist with a PhD in environmental science. I have quite a bit of knowledge about falconry and its detrimental effects on ecosystems and species conservation. I work with insects, birds and foxes. I have done my own research and reviewed previous papers on the topic. The reality is, falconry has far more negative effects than positive ones. Especially since it's practice, it's "defended" on the basis of tradition rather than in sustainable practices. So, while I would never claim to know it all, I'm far from being ignorant. You may call them hunting partners, but they are no different than pets.

Feel free to cite your sources that support the above statement. Again, if you look at the Peregrine Falcon it was factually brought from the brink of extinction by the likes of Falconers. At the end of the day, it is ludicrous and completely ignorant to seek out content that you disagree with in an attempt to do what exactly? Stir the pot? That is all you will accomplish here.

The average "scientist" knows only a fraction about true wildlife compared to the average hunter. Real knowledge isn't in books, it's in real experiences. The average hunter has done far more for wildlife conservation through hunting licenses and tags than any "scientist" ever has.

@@TheDesertSportsman Wow, the arrogance behind that statement. We ecologists literally conduct almost all our research in... the field. We often find ourselves deep in the heart of a forest, desert, jungle, and more. But now I know I'm talking to a redneck. Goodbye.

Thank you for the kind comment! Yes our state (Arizona) does inspect the mews when you first build it. Though there are no specific size requirements, they will not approve one that is not appropriately sized. So far I have released each year and started over. Just waiting for the "right" one to keep multiple seasons. Plus I am still fairly new to this (4 full seasons under my belt) so I like the idea of learning from training different personalities each year. Thanks again for the comment and for watching!

About a month from trap to first free flight with this bird. Have had some take as long as a month and a half and some take as little as 2 weeks.

One thing to keep in mind is that birds of prey are not social creatures so they will never get an emotional attachment to you. With that being said, each raptor has it's own personality and some seem better suited for the sport than others. I have had red tails that seemed to never get it so I returned them to the wild and I gave had some that picked up on it right away and almost seemed to "enjoy" my presence. Hope this answers your question. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the support and kind words of encouragement! Yeah I have tried a few methods of recording and agree the head mount can shaky at times. However, with the chest mount it always seemed like I missed the action because turning my body towards the action takes longer (and is less natural) than turning my head. Also I like to have the camera up a bit higher. I will definitely keep it in mind for the future though.

If you don't enjoy it he video feel free to not watch.

Music wasn't that bad. Thanks for putting up this video. It's very cool to see the process.

Thanks for the info! Yeah seems like every time we go hunting at some point he gets a thorn stuck between his toes.

Do you have a falcon ? Thought so

​@user-jx2tl9zh5x Pretty sure she quite literally has a bird of prey in her profile picture.

​@@user-jx2tl9zh5x No, and neither does this guy. But I DO have a red tailed hawk.

Yes most of the time I have to dispatch the rabbit, which I try to do as quick as possible. There are a few occasions that she has slipped a talon through the skull and the rabbit is deceased by the time I get there.