I just finished my first season as an Apprentice Falconer by releasing my first bird back into the wild. Ornery was fed-up and feather-perfect and in no hurry to fly away after the last of the furniture was removed. It was bittersweet and amazing, and I look forward to many more years with many more birds. You have been an amazing mentor through the process, and I look forward to more of your content to make me a better Falconer.
Mane God is Great…I’ve been searching for falconry information and most channels stopped posting information and here you are surviving a heart surgery…Keep up the great work and I’m definitely here to learn as much as I can so I can one day become a falconer…
Ben, excellent post. Just remember old falconers never die, they just walk the highways of life picking up roadkill with their vulture. Keep safe and well 👍
Thank you SO much for addressing this topic. I am an apprentice and I have already been seeing what you are talking about. So many groups out there judging each other. Sometimes it's exhausting. Thank you so much for encouraging others to find one's place in it and appreciate those who do other things with raptors. You are right, we all do what we do because we love raptors and want to be a part of their lives in some way. It's a breath of fresh air to hear what you shared in this video.
Love seeing you back here! Do what you can, when you can. I've never understood the animosity between some rehabbers and falconers. I'd love to do education but I've heard it's a harder license than falconry. That it's better to just be a licensed falconer and do education with your bird.
Great to see you back at it! So i have a question and maybe a video topic request. Question: What species would you recommend for hunting Crane? I've watched some falconry documentaries talking about historical falconry that said Gyr Falcons were used for hunting a type of crane (I don't remember specific) in England until the climate shifted and that species wasn't available in the area anymore. I just want to make sure I'm not trying to throw a middleweight into the ring with Mike Tyson. (Btw, I am in the U.S.) As for video topic, I would love to see you discuss hybridization. As someone who has experience with domestic dogs, Captive Wolves, and a few Wolf/dog Hybrids, I know first hand that "results vary" is a massive understatement. I'm curious if you have personal experience and what opinions you have on the subject.
I'm a volunteer raptor rehabber in Australia and our group are the only allowed to use manning, free flight, hacking and other falconry techniques. The Raptor Flyers Association of Western Australia. Knowing the bird can catch it's prey and evade predators pre release is important for actual success.
So very true!!! It is so great that you have been able to use those techniques to help them. You are right that it is so crucial to use these techniques to help the birds be healthy and successful
Currently mostly doing the photography aspect, have a slight bias towards Osprey actually. The various communities all work together in my opinion or at least it works best when they do such. Have had the opportunity to do falconry experiences and have a bird on the glove which is exhilarating in its own right. Would jump at the opportunity to educate people or even rehabilitation in some fashion even if just rescue/transport/release.
I also Ihad a TBI a hemorrhagic stroke. Working with raptors and the Falconry community I built on FB helped me recover when my doctors said I would be a vegetable. I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself. D.H. Lawrence,
How stupid... I was searching on ways on "how to get rid of falcons attacking my pet fish in the outdoor fountain/pond" and instead I get a video on "how to keep falcons for Falconry and let them kill our aquarium animals"😂
What area of the world do you live? Wondering the best way to help. If you are searching, look up a different prompt. Falcons don’t hunt fish. They typically just hunt birds. Ospreys are the normal fish hunters. How big of a pond do you have? I have seen a few innovative ways before to keep raptors out. Best of luck!
Dude, you are killing it after surgery!!! Keep on trucking!
I just finished my first season as an Apprentice Falconer by releasing my first bird back into the wild. Ornery was fed-up and feather-perfect and in no hurry to fly away after the last of the furniture was removed. It was bittersweet and amazing, and I look forward to many more years with many more birds. You have been an amazing mentor through the process, and I look forward to more of your content to make me a better Falconer.
Mane God is Great…I’ve been searching for falconry information and most channels stopped posting information and here you are surviving a heart surgery…Keep up the great work and I’m definitely here to learn as much as I can so I can one day become a falconer…
Great work Ben thank you, glad to see your recovering. Thank you
One of your most thought provoking videos! I hope you get well soon, you are absolutely killing it!
Ben. Thanks for your message of unity. You are a wonderful asset to the falconry community. God bless you and Godspeed to a full recovery.
Ben, excellent post. Just remember old falconers never die, they just walk the highways of life picking up roadkill with their vulture. Keep safe and well 👍
This is amazing!!! And I’ll be praying for your healthy recovery Ben!
1. 08:10 wildlife rehab
2. 09:15 Public education
3. 10:00 Work in zoo/sanctuary
4. 10:50 bird bander (tracking/gathering data)
5. 13:00 Birder (Observing/photographing)
Thank you SO much for addressing this topic. I am an apprentice and I have already been seeing what you are talking about. So many groups out there judging each other. Sometimes it's exhausting. Thank you so much for encouraging others to find one's place in it and appreciate those who do other things with raptors. You are right, we all do what we do because we love raptors and want to be a part of their lives in some way. It's a breath of fresh air to hear what you shared in this video.
Thank you so much
Good to have you back.
Well said, thank you for your thoughts, always good.
Good to see you are doing well.
Amazing Ben. So glad to see you again.
Good to see you recovering!! Thanks for the great info.
Lets be kind to each other! Great teachings Ben, glad you're on the mend!!!
Awesome video! So glad to hear you're doing well!
A video about Sikra vs sparrowhawks/Sharpies would be amazing.
Love seeing you back here! Do what you can, when you can. I've never understood the animosity between some rehabbers and falconers. I'd love to do education but I've heard it's a harder license than falconry. That it's better to just be a licensed falconer and do education with your bird.
Love you’ve started this discussion. Seeing the many ways things can be done only enriches all of us.
I'm glad you are doing well saw you on Skinwalker ranch Thank you for these video's
Great to hear from you.
You are doing amazing man!
A lot of what was said can apply to living a happy life as well. Thanks Ben
Great video!
So happy to see you back. Your looking great! I prayed for you when I heard the news through the grape vine. Stay strong brother!
I recently got the imprint accipiter and hawking and falconry for beginners
Glad you’re up and running! In all ways! Great video
No body else does this like you! Stick around please!
Great to see you back at it!
So i have a question and maybe a video topic request.
Question:
What species would you recommend for hunting Crane? I've watched some falconry documentaries talking about historical falconry that said Gyr Falcons were used for hunting a type of crane (I don't remember specific) in England until the climate shifted and that species wasn't available in the area anymore. I just want to make sure I'm not trying to throw a middleweight into the ring with Mike Tyson. (Btw, I am in the U.S.)
As for video topic, I would love to see you discuss hybridization. As someone who has experience with domestic dogs, Captive Wolves, and a few Wolf/dog Hybrids, I know first hand that "results vary" is a massive understatement. I'm curious if you have personal experience and what opinions you have on the subject.
I'm a volunteer raptor rehabber in Australia and our group are the only allowed to use manning, free flight, hacking and other falconry techniques.
The Raptor Flyers Association of Western Australia.
Knowing the bird can catch it's prey and evade predators pre release is important for actual success.
So very true!!! It is so great that you have been able to use those techniques to help them. You are right that it is so crucial to use these techniques to help the birds be healthy and successful
Fk me! The bulk of this topic mirrors a video I’m making except about wildlife in general ; great minds hehe.
Great to see you back and looking good
👍🏻
a video on shikra please🥺
Currently mostly doing the photography aspect, have a slight bias towards Osprey actually.
The various communities all work together in my opinion or at least it works best when they do such. Have had the opportunity to do falconry experiences and have a bird on the glove which is exhilarating in its own right.
Would jump at the opportunity to educate people or even rehabilitation in some fashion even if just rescue/transport/release.
that auburn hair and moustache...my goodness you are a handsome man
Yes love over hate!!!! COME ON PEOPLE
Many wildlife centers will not allow volunteers to train or work hands on with raptors .
I also Ihad a TBI a hemorrhagic stroke. Working with raptors and the Falconry community I built on FB helped me recover when my doctors said I would be a vegetable.
I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself.
D.H. Lawrence,
humans used to be kleptoparasites as well
mad respect and best wishes. Just a note: California state flag has a bear on it!
How stupid... I was searching on ways on "how to get rid of falcons attacking my pet fish in the outdoor fountain/pond" and instead I get a video on "how to keep falcons for Falconry and let them kill our aquarium animals"😂
What area of the world do you live? Wondering the best way to help. If you are searching, look up a different prompt. Falcons don’t hunt fish. They typically just hunt birds. Ospreys are the normal fish hunters. How big of a pond do you have? I have seen a few innovative ways before to keep raptors out. Best of luck!