Tips & Tricks

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Expert Tips for Falconry

Falconry is an ancient and rewarding pursuit that combines skill, patience, and deep knowledge of birds of prey. Whether you’re a beginner just starting your falconry journey or an experienced falconer looking to refine your techniques, these expert tips and tricks will help you become more proficient, efficient, and successful in this demanding sport.

Getting Better Faster

Start with the Right Species

Choosing an appropriate bird for your experience level is crucial to your success. Red-tailed hawks are excellent for beginners due to their forgiving temperament and adaptability to training. Avoid starting with high-strung species like peregrines or goshawks unless you have mentorship. The right bird-to-falconer match accelerates learning and builds confidence quickly.

Find an Experienced Mentor

Having a seasoned falconer guide you through your first season dramatically reduces the learning curve. A mentor can teach you proper handling techniques, help you avoid costly mistakes, and provide real-time feedback during training. Most falconry clubs have mentorship programs—take advantage of them. The knowledge transfer is invaluable and cannot be replaced by books alone.

Master Basic Falconry Knots

Spend dedicated time learning the essential knots: the falconer’s knot, the arrow knot, and the slip knot. Practice tying them repeatedly until you can do them blindfolded in any condition. These fundamental skills are the foundation of safe, effective falconry. Poor knot work leads to escaped birds and dangerous situations, so invest time early.

Keep Detailed Training Logs

Document everything: flight duration, temperature, wind conditions, prey caught, behavioral changes, and weight fluctuations. These records reveal patterns and help you understand your bird’s preferences and peak performance conditions. Over time, your logs become a personalized training manual that accelerates progress and prevents repeating mistakes.

Practice Manning Before You Need It

Dedicate daily time to manning your bird—simply being present and building trust. Spend 15-30 minutes daily just sitting with your hawk, offering food rewards and gentle interaction. This builds the bond that makes all subsequent training easier. Birds that are well-manned are calmer during emergencies and respond better to corrections.

Time-Saving Shortcuts

Prep Equipment the Night Before

Organize and inspect all your gear the evening before flying. Clean the perches, prepare lures, check your scales are functioning, and lay out bells and jesses. This eliminates morning scrambling and ensures you’re not delayed by forgotten items. A well-organized system means more actual flying time and fewer wasted sessions.

Use Weight as Your Primary Control Tool

Rather than fighting behavioral issues, adjust weight to influence motivation and response. Learn to find your bird’s “flying weight”—the sweet spot where they’re motivated but not desperate. Maintaining consistent weight eliminates many training problems before they start. Weigh daily at the same time and keep careful records to identify trends quickly.

Invest in a Digital Scale

A quality digital scale is worth every penny. It provides instant, accurate weight readings, eliminating guesswork. Inconsistent weights lead to unpredictable behavior and wasted training sessions. A reliable scale gives you precision control and speeds up decision-making about when to fly, train, or rest your bird.

Batch Your Training Sessions

Rather than scattered training attempts, plan dedicated sessions. Fly multiple times per week at consistent times. Your bird will develop anticipation and respond more eagerly. Consistency is more valuable than frequency—three focused weekly sessions beat daily haphazard attempts. Your bird learns patterns, and you develop muscle memory in handling.

Money-Saving Tips

Build Equipment Yourself

Many falconry supplies are expensive when purchased retail. Learn to craft your own perches, blocks, bells, and leashes using quality materials from hardware stores and craft suppliers. Homemade equipment is often superior to commercial alternatives and costs a fraction of the price. Join falconry forums to find DIY plans for everything from weathering areas to training aids.

Source Prey Locally

Rather than relying on expensive commercial suppliers, develop relationships with local hunters, trappers, and pest control services. Many have surplus game or unwanted rodents. Building community connections often yields free or extremely cheap prey. Additionally, wild prey is fresher and provides more nutritional variety than captive-raised options.

Join a Falconry Club

Club membership provides access to shared resources, bulk food purchases, and equipment lending libraries. Many clubs negotiate discounts with suppliers for their members. You’ll also avoid duplicating purchases by borrowing specialty equipment for occasional use. The networking alone saves money through shared knowledge and recommendations.

Plan Veterinary Care Strategically

Establish a relationship with an avian veterinarian before emergencies arise. Ask about preventative care packages and routine checkups that cost less than emergency visits. Learn to recognize health issues early through careful observation, reducing expensive medical interventions. Budget annually for veterinary care rather than being caught unprepared.

Quality Improvement

Study Your Bird’s Body Language

Invest time learning to read subtle signals: ear position, tail carriage, eye contact, and feather positioning all communicate your bird’s mental state. A truly skilled falconer can predict behavior before it happens. This awareness allows you to adjust training before problems develop and respond appropriately to your bird’s needs, dramatically improving results.

Master the Slip Release

A clean, confident slip from the glove is fundamental to successful flights. Practice the mechanics repeatedly: proper hand position, arm angle, and timing. A hesitant or sloppy release transmits uncertainty to your bird and can lead to poor flights. Spend dedicated practice time perfecting this technique—it’s the critical bridge between control and freedom.

Understand Nutrition Deeply

Learn the nutritional composition of different prey items and how they affect your bird’s health and performance. Vary prey types to provide complete nutrition. Understand how weather, activity level, and molting affect dietary requirements. Well-nourished birds are healthier, more responsive, and live longer. This knowledge base prevents many behavioral and health issues.

Document Your Flights Visually

Use video or photography to record flights and training sessions. Review footage to identify subtle technique improvements and behavioral patterns you might miss in real-time. Video analysis reveals body positioning errors, timing issues, and areas for refinement that accelerate skill development. You’ll notice progress that’s invisible during regular flying.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

  • Bird won’t come back to the lure: Check your weight—the bird may be too heavy or distracted. Ensure the lure resembles natural prey. Practice in controlled environments first. Sometimes a break for several days resets motivation.
  • Excessive mantling over food: This is often territorial behavior. Feed at consistent times and places. Minimize distractions during feeding. Some birds are simply protective—avoid forcing interaction during meals.
  • Constant screaming: Typically indicates hunger or loneliness. Adjust weight slightly upward and ensure adequate manning time. Verify the bird isn’t being startled repeatedly. Provide enrichment and consistent handling.
  • Reluctance to fly free: Build confidence gradually. Start with short flights in safe areas. Ensure the bird is at proper flying weight. Sometimes personality matters—some birds are naturally cautious. Never force flights; allow the bird to develop trust.
  • Weak strikes or slow flights: Examine overall health and nutrition. Consider parasites or infections. Verify your bird is at optimal flying weight. Ensure adequate rest between flights. Sometimes your prey is too fast for your particular bird.
  • Escape from the glove: Review your knot work and jess condition. Ensure fittings are snug. Practice the hold until it’s second nature. Some escape attempts indicate a bird that’s not ready for that activity level.