Highland Hawking Falconry Courses

 Falconry is not hard to learn and there are no qualifications required

The 6 day Basic Intensive

This is a bespoke course tailored to meet your personal requirements. It is designed for the absolute beginner so no prior experience is necessary.
 

This is an extremely hands on course and you are likely to have a bird on your fist within the first hour. Your speed of progress will only be limited by your own confidence, though you will be shown how to progress through all stages. 

The course contents includes the following: 

1. Getting started – includes learning the falconry knot as well as making & fitting equipment to the bird (anklets, jesses (mews & flying) swivels, bells & leashes)
2. Husbandry – includes the care and management of birds, bird hygiene, weight management and diet principles
3. Handling – includes picking up a bird for the first time, manning the bird and training the bird as well as casting it
4. Flying – includes flying to the fist (on a creance) and (dependent on capability, readiness of bird and weather conditions) flying free
5. Health & wellbeing – basic understanding of the common diseases and pests as well as when to seek veterinary advice
6. Housing – in respect of catering to the bird’s needs, understanding the basic principles of aviary construction, weatherings and travel boxes
7. Buying a bird – some basic principles about buying and advice about choosing a breeder
8. The Law – understanding your rights and responsibilities in respect of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
    

At the end of the course you will be competent to buy, own and train a bird with basic understanding of the bird’s health and care needs.

Hunting and Field Craft (6 days)

This course is suitable for those who have been handling and managing a bird already or those who have completed a basic intensive as detailed above. It is designed for those who intend to hunt with their bird and want to acquire the appropriate skills and competence. (Please note you must have your own bird for this course and  we can only run this from late September to  March)

 

Virtually all of this course will be spent in the countryside at various different locations supporting differing quarry. It is a totally hands on and practical experience

 

The course contents includes the following:

1. Field craft – experiencing different terrain, understanding how different quarry behave and assessing the type of quarry available on different types of land
2. Hunting Ground - understanding how to approach landowners and acquiring consent to hunt
3. Hunting as a team – understanding the use of dogs & ferrets in successfully taking game
4. Entering your bird – readying your bird for hunting, from understanding and achieving its ideal hunting weight and fitness to entering it on to quarry
5. Field first aid – understanding the range of potential situations which can cause injury to your bird and some basic first aid principles which can be applied in the field
6. Bird Maintenance – includes imping and coping

 

At the end of the course you will be competent to hunt with your bird and take and dispatch quarry. You will also have acquired basic skill in administering field first aid to your bird.

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