@@MercerFalconryit’s actually what I’ve been taught too. Obviously don’t squeeze so hard as to hurt them but just enough that pressure disorient them while your palm also kind acts like a hood covering the eyes. I also learned from Ben Woodruff that it also works by grabbing the head and pulling back. The idea is to create a sensation of vertigo and confusion.
Thank you for posting this video! As an interested non-falconer in the US, I found this video quite encouraging -- the exam doesn't seem to be as bad as I had imagined. I'm shocked that "grab the hawk by its head and squeeze" was the correct answer to Question 25 -- wouldn't that kind of harsh treatment irreparably damage one's relationship with the bird?
The exam was basically put together 50 years ago by American falconers for the sole purpose of serving as a roadblock for people trying to enter the sport, and I don't think it's been revised much since then.
I am new to this, and I agree that was a dumb question with no good answer. It seemed like it was a bit of a loaded question in that it mentions "serious injury" and I feel like the point the question is trying to make is "if there's ever a decision between a person's health and the bird's health, you should pick the person." Even so, dumb question, and going for the bird's head I assume would put yourself in danger too right? Even if that was the point of the question, I feel like throwing food on the ground is much safer!
Ahh gotta love the state falconry test. The American exam can supposedly vary by state (as some states have more strict falconry laws than others) although when I took one in Florida about 2 years ago there were no state law specific questions. Got a 95. However, I did get a question that was about flying a goshawk with a peregrine. Goshawks are not native to FL and even worse, FL is so hot and humid that owning a goshawk here would be borderline impossible. Temps are almost always above 25 C (and are usually low 30s) with like 70-80% humidity, except for about 1 month at most. At least that's what it's like where I was, which was more southeast than Disney World. Going north the weather is slightly better. Now I'm in Texas and hawking with some people, still looking into getting sponsored (hopefully in the next 2-3 yrs) and I was told to hold off on taking their state test until I get one. It's a major pain to get started, but I will say I've had a blast shadowing the falconers. Thanks for listening to the rant lol.
i'm loving the longer videos! as probably one of your youngest viewers, they're helping me tons during my pre-apprenticeship phase. going through the questions and getting a good ~95% of them correct here already is keeping my hopes up for the upcoming test! i know it's not going to be the exact same, but anything i didn't get correct was something to learn from. even if this video was on the more comedic side, i'm grateful for it nonetheless! your videos have helped me so much. reading and studying with your information in the background on my laptop is incredibly helpful! i hope you're enjoying making these videos as much as i enjoy watching them. keep up the good work, dan, and say hello to kit for me!
Thank you for such a lovely comment, I am really enjoying videos and it makes it even better knowing they help, keep studying and good luck with the exam!
@@MercerFalconry i'm so glad you're enjoying your work!! i appreciate your wish of good luck, and i'll let you know how the exam goes when i'm ready for it! even though you might think the change to being more educational and passive rather than focusing on catching game is a bit of a bad thing, i couldn't be happier about your in-depth videos on behavior, health, and just about everything else! it's helped me realize that falconry isn't all about the hunt, and rather caring for and building a mutual relationship with your bird. i'm sending kit my hopes of an incredible feast to finally satisfy her majesty
Dan you should have positive reinforcement for getting the answer right lol, I'm sure you would have done even better with out answering with hot chilli brains although very funny. It is an interesting subject, the difference between UK laws and others, I often thought it may help if we had similar laws where a test is needed but squeezed birds heads as changed my mind. Please carry on with these tests it's good to see how good acquired practical knowledge stands up. Good luck.
I am planning to do every section of the exam, I have thought we should have something like this in place here but it’s a tricky subject, who gets to decide what’s in the exam when we all have so many different ways of doing things, and then how would you get the thousands of falconers already practicing to take an exam to continue
@@MercerFalconry That’s true , It’s interesting how we can’t take from wild stock, once it was common practice , I appreciate it’s for protection. Other countries trap, I like this because if someone decides falconry isn’t for them at least your trapped hawk can be released again , here they are probably past on or left in the mews.
I live in Massachusetts, US. Most falconry exams in the US are very old and could use an update. That being said, "grabbing" a red-tail's head when they have locked onto you is an accepted way of getting out of a bad situation if you can't pry your way out. I don't think "squeezing" is needed but luckily have not had to test the theory.
@@dimorrissey That’s interesting, I guess the squeezing bit is unnecessary, I wonder how this has been put in a question, I'd like to know the thought behind this question. Iv had a Harris hawk talons sunken through my thumb whilst feeding, extremely painful, once he had eaten he released (: I have straightened the leg to release talons, this can be done on an eagle apparently so should be worth remembering. Its interesting to hear and chat about all techniques, without fully knowing why squeezing a birds head is or was once a way to release talons, sounds like a possible disaster, unless I'm missing something. Iv heard of pigeon being despatched this way. Good luck 👍
I was following this with you, got the nest intrusion one wrong, but I've dealt with some seriously aggressive breeding Red Tails before (But former hunting birds habituated to people is probably a different kettle of fish to a completely wild bird). I shared your reaction to the "What to do if you get footed". The first thing I could think of when seeing the suggestion of squeezing the bird's head is "That's a way to get a dead bird!" I had similar incredularity when it came up. Luckily I've only been seriously footed by a medium to large raptor a couple of times. The "Distract it with food" answer worked on both occasions. I guess if it's in the exam it would work but man alive I wouldn't want to try it. Ever. Gotta admit I did enjoy your reaction to the manning question. That was great. I was also undecided thinking "Buzzards are generally a bit chill" but also "RTs can be evil." I'd quite like to see you tackle the other parts of the exam. Would be interesting to see what's involved and see more perspective on it. I also agree about the "Falconry Karens" thing. I like going out hunting and I'll go out with people in the field for it, but personally I do prefer "Display style" working with the birds. Low stress and can be a lot of fun and I can find it a great way to unwind. Personally I fly a kestrel and will probably continue to fly micros to the lure because it fits around work and the like a lot easier. Merlin's my current dream bird.
Thanks for the comment and for going along through the questions with me, I actually filmed the next section today! And also I do agree with you, I would love a merlin!
Also, looked like you were eating jalapeño peppers which are usually hot but sometimes not. The ribs and seeds are the hottest parts so you just going in and biting into it is admirable! I love spicy food but still wouldn't just chomp into a jalapeño!
Falconry Karen's...If I'd had food or drink in my mouth, it would have been all over my screen and keyboard. That cracked me up. Oh, man, I felt so bad for you eating those peppers. I can handle spicey foods, but I understand the discomfort you're enduring. I think I'd have stopped and finished the test later for safety reasons. :0) Respect though for pushing through. I think I'd have had maybe 28-30 right, but I've not even gone on a hunt yet, so again, I'm just watching too many falconry videos. :0)
Hi Dan nice video hope your doing good, the falconry centre we’re I work is so amazing I’m learning more then ever, I was exspecting an answe like squeeze your bird head cuz it is an American test and they are not very clever 😂😂 great video
I feel so bad for you over those chilis. Your dog was ready to call emergency services. Squeeze your bird's head? Big WTF there- you shouldn't have punished yourself for that one. Were have more English Sparrows here than you do in the UK. We call the maggots with wings. I love the Northern Harrier in my back garden because she keeps them thinned out. I got 29 out of 38. Not a pass, but I'm thrilled I have learned so much. This time I give the credit to my good collection of field guides.
English Sparrows are invasive here and we are encouraged to hunt them! I’m really confused by the “grab the bird by it’s head and squeeze” answer wow!!
I see a ton of comments about squeeze head answer. Without knowing if she’s hungry or not (like assuming she had DIDN’T have an appetite) I think that answer makes since. It is the first I’ve heard of such a technique however, seeing as we use hoods in manning, the head squeeze while applying the hood might be familiar and the question could have been intended to lead the test taker to that conclusion. I’m just pondering …and becoming a bit obsessed with finding the explanation LOL
You didn't take the seriousness of the situation into acct. The question is stated so that the saftey of your hunting partner is paramount to the saftey of your bird. Grabbing the head is like a serious version of hooding that takes the bird from attack mode to life preservation mode. You would only do this in a very serious situation.
“Grab your hawk by the head and squeeze!” I laughed so hard!!
PS we are taught that! Apparently grabbing their head makes them release. Hope I never have to try that! 😂😂😂
Oh that’s interesting, definitely not something I will be trying
@@MercerFalconryit’s actually what I’ve been taught too. Obviously don’t squeeze so hard as to hurt them but just enough that pressure disorient them while your palm also kind acts like a hood covering the eyes. I also learned from Ben Woodruff that it also works by grabbing the head and pulling back. The idea is to create a sensation of vertigo and confusion.
It makes the bird think that something is grabbing it, So it worries about its own life not keeping ahold of you
The dogs facial expressions are priceless 🤣
They thought it was food for them 😂
"Falconry Karens" hah! Loved that😂
I think it sums up most falconers 😂
Get over it😂
Thank you for posting this video! As an interested non-falconer in the US, I found this video quite encouraging -- the exam doesn't seem to be as bad as I had imagined. I'm shocked that "grab the hawk by its head and squeeze" was the correct answer to Question 25 -- wouldn't that kind of harsh treatment irreparably damage one's relationship with the bird?
Yes I feel like I could make an entire video on why I disagree with that, shouldn’t the exam be promoting good welfare
The exam was basically put together 50 years ago by American falconers for the sole purpose of serving as a roadblock for people trying to enter the sport, and I don't think it's been revised much since then.
I am new to this, and I agree that was a dumb question with no good answer. It seemed like it was a bit of a loaded question in that it mentions "serious injury" and I feel like the point the question is trying to make is "if there's ever a decision between a person's health and the bird's health, you should pick the person." Even so, dumb question, and going for the bird's head I assume would put yourself in danger too right? Even if that was the point of the question, I feel like throwing food on the ground is much safer!
Me after the English sparrow answer: “Don’t take that big of a bite!” 😂
It was a mistake 😂
Ahh gotta love the state falconry test. The American exam can supposedly vary by state (as some states have more strict falconry laws than others) although when I took one in Florida about 2 years ago there were no state law specific questions. Got a 95.
However, I did get a question that was about flying a goshawk with a peregrine. Goshawks are not native to FL and even worse, FL is so hot and humid that owning a goshawk here would be borderline impossible.
Temps are almost always above 25 C (and are usually low 30s) with like 70-80% humidity, except for about 1 month at most. At least that's what it's like where I was, which was more southeast than Disney World. Going north the weather is slightly better.
Now I'm in Texas and hawking with some people, still looking into getting sponsored (hopefully in the next 2-3 yrs) and I was told to hold off on taking their state test until I get one. It's a major pain to get started, but I will say I've had a blast shadowing the falconers.
Thanks for listening to the rant lol.
New to this subject - but you’re my go to Falcon guy just for calling out the Karen’s. W creator.
Needed to be said, annoyed a few people I know though 😂
🤣karens, Lol, falconry displays and standup ? its a novel idea , good job mate.
I think some of my most entertaining displays have been when I’m still a bit drunk from a heavy night before 😂
i'm loving the longer videos! as probably one of your youngest viewers, they're helping me tons during my pre-apprenticeship phase. going through the questions and getting a good ~95% of them correct here already is keeping my hopes up for the upcoming test! i know it's not going to be the exact same, but anything i didn't get correct was something to learn from. even if this video was on the more comedic side, i'm grateful for it nonetheless!
your videos have helped me so much. reading and studying with your information in the background on my laptop is incredibly helpful! i hope you're enjoying making these videos as much as i enjoy watching them. keep up the good work, dan, and say hello to kit for me!
Thank you for such a lovely comment, I am really enjoying videos and it makes it even better knowing they help, keep studying and good luck with the exam!
And Kit says “FOOD PLEASE” 😂
@@MercerFalconry i'm so glad you're enjoying your work!! i appreciate your wish of good luck, and i'll let you know how the exam goes when i'm ready for it! even though you might think the change to being more educational and passive rather than focusing on catching game is a bit of a bad thing, i couldn't be happier about your in-depth videos on behavior, health, and just about everything else! it's helped me realize that falconry isn't all about the hunt, and rather caring for and building a mutual relationship with your bird. i'm sending kit my hopes of an incredible feast to finally satisfy her majesty
Yes, it’s an amazing thing to be able to share a bond with a bird of prey, few people get to experience it!
Dan you should have positive reinforcement for getting the answer right lol, I'm sure you would have done even better with out answering with hot chilli brains although very funny.
It is an interesting subject, the difference between UK laws and others, I often thought it may help if we had similar laws where a test is needed but squeezed birds heads as changed my mind.
Please carry on with these tests it's good to see how good acquired practical knowledge stands up.
Good luck.
I am planning to do every section of the exam, I have thought we should have something like this in place here but it’s a tricky subject, who gets to decide what’s in the exam when we all have so many different ways of doing things, and then how would you get the thousands of falconers already practicing to take an exam to continue
@@MercerFalconry That’s true ,
It’s interesting how we can’t take from wild stock, once it was common practice , I appreciate it’s for protection.
Other countries trap, I like this because if someone decides falconry isn’t for them at least your trapped hawk can be released again , here they are probably past on or left in the mews.
I live in Massachusetts, US. Most falconry exams in the US are very old and could use an update. That being said, "grabbing" a red-tail's head when they have locked onto you is an accepted way of getting out of a bad situation if you can't pry your way out. I don't think "squeezing" is needed but luckily have not had to test the theory.
@@dimorrissey That’s interesting, I guess the squeezing bit is unnecessary, I wonder how this has been put in a question, I'd like to know the thought behind this question.
Iv had a Harris hawk talons sunken through my thumb whilst feeding, extremely painful, once he had eaten he released (:
I have straightened the leg to release talons, this can be done on an eagle apparently so should be worth remembering.
Its interesting to hear and chat about all techniques, without fully knowing why squeezing a birds head is or was once a way to release talons, sounds like a possible disaster, unless I'm missing something.
Iv heard of pigeon being despatched this way.
Good luck 👍
Yes I think that’s a massive positive for wild take, if you find out it’s not for you just release it again
Yes we have English Sparrows and they’re an invasive species so we can kill as many as we want 😂
This was great fun to watch! Thank you
I wish I had known that before 😂
I was following this with you, got the nest intrusion one wrong, but I've dealt with some seriously aggressive breeding Red Tails before (But former hunting birds habituated to people is probably a different kettle of fish to a completely wild bird). I shared your reaction to the "What to do if you get footed". The first thing I could think of when seeing the suggestion of squeezing the bird's head is "That's a way to get a dead bird!" I had similar incredularity when it came up. Luckily I've only been seriously footed by a medium to large raptor a couple of times. The "Distract it with food" answer worked on both occasions. I guess if it's in the exam it would work but man alive I wouldn't want to try it. Ever.
Gotta admit I did enjoy your reaction to the manning question. That was great. I was also undecided thinking "Buzzards are generally a bit chill" but also "RTs can be evil."
I'd quite like to see you tackle the other parts of the exam. Would be interesting to see what's involved and see more perspective on it.
I also agree about the "Falconry Karens" thing. I like going out hunting and I'll go out with people in the field for it, but personally I do prefer "Display style" working with the birds. Low stress and can be a lot of fun and I can find it a great way to unwind. Personally I fly a kestrel and will probably continue to fly micros to the lure because it fits around work and the like a lot easier. Merlin's my current dream bird.
Thanks for the comment and for going along through the questions with me, I actually filmed the next section today! And also I do agree with you, I would love a merlin!
Also, looked like you were eating jalapeño peppers which are usually hot but sometimes not. The ribs and seeds are the hottest parts so you just going in and biting into it is admirable! I love spicy food but still wouldn't just chomp into a jalapeño!
The seedy ends are a damn sight hotter!
Falconry Karen's...If I'd had food or drink in my mouth, it would have been all over my screen and keyboard. That cracked me up. Oh, man, I felt so bad for you eating those peppers. I can handle spicey foods, but I understand the discomfort you're enduring. I think I'd have stopped and finished the test later for safety reasons. :0) Respect though for pushing through. I think I'd have had maybe 28-30 right, but I've not even gone on a hunt yet, so again, I'm just watching too many falconry videos. :0)
Too many falconry Karen’s barking at me at the moment I had to say something 😂
Hi Dan nice video hope your doing good, the falconry centre we’re I work is so amazing I’m learning more then ever, I was exspecting an answe like squeeze your bird head cuz it is an American test and they are not very clever 😂😂 great video
I guess squeezing a hawks head is one of the least crazy things they do over there 😂
@@MercerFalconry im glad you dont need a sponsor and all that in the uk
Well done! Also literally whats up with squeezing hawk’s head tho tf it should definitely be revised..
Falconry Karens must have written that.
😂😂😂 those damn falconry Karen’s at it again
What would you do if a falconry Karen was right there in front of you?
Me:release the krak-i mean kestrel
I wouldn’t release an angry kestrel on anyone, that’s just cruel 😂
I wonder if someone did though🤔
Dan this had me crying with laughter. 😂😂😂
I’m happy my pain and suffering gave you some light entertainment 😂😂
You gotta admit Dan, it was funny 🤣🤣🤣
I’m going bigger and better next time, get something really spicy
English sparrow is a misnomer… as others have stated they are an invasive species of weaver finch.. almost cosmopolitan in almost every country
I feel so bad for you over those chilis. Your dog was ready to call emergency services. Squeeze your bird's head? Big WTF there- you shouldn't have punished yourself for that one. Were have more English Sparrows here than you do in the UK. We call the maggots with wings. I love the Northern Harrier in my back garden because she keeps them thinned out. I got 29 out of 38. Not a pass, but I'm thrilled I have learned so much. This time I give the credit to my good collection of field guides.
English Sparrows are invasive here and we are encouraged to hunt them! I’m really confused by the “grab the bird by it’s head and squeeze” answer wow!!
Ah that’s interesting and a good way to try and tackle invasive species, I certainly won’t ever be grabbing my birds by their heads!
Very entertaining Thank you
New York state needs to get help to rewrite their exam! Why would you squeeze your hawks head! Well done and sorry for the pain!
It’s crazy, thank you
I see a ton of comments about squeeze head answer. Without knowing if she’s hungry or not (like assuming she had DIDN’T have an appetite) I think that answer makes since. It is the first I’ve heard of such a technique however, seeing as we use hoods in manning, the head squeeze while applying the hood might be familiar and the question could have been intended to lead the test taker to that conclusion. I’m just pondering …and becoming a bit obsessed with finding the explanation LOL
I’m in pain for…..STOP!!!!!
Thank you 😊
😂 your welcome
Bro turn the gain down on the mic while you’re eating or something 😭🤣
What happened to the ending. You just cut out. We only got 22 questions
You didn't take the seriousness of the situation into acct. The question is stated so that the saftey of your hunting partner is paramount to the saftey of your bird. Grabbing the head is like a serious version of hooding that takes the bird from attack mode to life preservation mode. You would only do this in a very serious situation.
I hate spice food to
i like ur vidio
can two falconers train the same bird
I'd like to see you complete all the sections, but you don't need to eat hot peppers lad!
I am planning to do the rest, just added the peppers to make it more interesting but I don’t want to do that again 😂
@@MercerFalconry I can't fault you for that, you did well though!😉😁
Thank you!
I got a 99 on mine, 1st take.
Eating those peppers self punishment for you? You must Ave a cast iron stomach
Should have eaten one pepper for every wrong answer..... Just saying......
Do the other test.
Falconry Karens! LOLOLOLOLOL!!!! Nice.
Too many of them 😂