Hunting with Hawks

It has been called "The Sport of Kings". Falconry, or the use of trained raptors for hunting has been around us for centuries, for the gathering of food and as a pure sport.

You don't have to just watch birds of prey on the television though, by reaching out to your local falconry association, these hunting birds can be within an arm's reach. Most falconer's are more than happy to take anyone out with them into the field so they can experience the amazing hunting styles of various raptors.

Hunting for rabbits is usually done with hawks, such as the Red Tailed hawk or the even more gregarious Harris's. These birds think of nothing once aroused to game, but latching onto a rabbit as fast as possible. A lot of gun hunters are surprised to see just how many rabbits can be taken in a field by a competent falconer and hawk working together. A yield of 6-10 rabbits in a short afternoon is nothing too surprising.

If duck is more to your taste, then pair up with a longwing, such as the fastest bird in the world, the Peregrine Falcon. By diving on it's selected quarry, the falcon hits the duck at over 100 miles per hour, driving it to the ground in a flurry of feathers. This embodies the thrill of hunting in a spectacular fashion, sure to leave an impression on the people lucky enough to view it.

Quail and grouse are easily taken by Goshawks, a long tailed bird with a fierce glare, that cruises through the dense forests in pursuit of prey. The tail helps it swerve around obstacles with precision that can't be matched by anything else on the planet, overtaking even the nimblest of animals.

For a change, hang up the rifle, and visit your local falconer.