Sky Fishing ... trapping a wild prairie falcon скачать в хорошем качестве

Sky Fishing ... trapping a wild prairie falcon

While my 2024/25 falconry season may be over, I decided to continue to try trap a tiercel passage prairie falcon to fly on Hungarian partridge next season. Here in North America we are fortunate to be legally able to trap a wild raptor under license, providing you meet the criteria to do so. No other field sport allows its practitioners to harvest and keep a live animal from the wild. Big game hunters can harvest but must kill their permitted animal species. Birds of prey however are even more strictly protected and it is illegal to kill them. Each year I apply for a license to trap up to two of a specified species that I may choose to fly, yet most years I do not exercise that right, particularly if i already have birds to fly. It's just an insurance should a need arise. For the benefit of non falconers watching, this practice is a legal activity that licensed falconers are able to do for up to two birds of prey each year. In reality, other than apprentice falconers, relatively few falconers take advantage of this privilege because of the work, time, effort and expense required or they simply wish to fly a species not available in the wild in their area. Preferring instead to buy a captive raised bird from a registered breeder. However what you cannot buy from a captive bred bird is the experience a wild bird has gained over the first several months of its life. The ability to legally to take a hawk or falcon from the wild is a "right of passage" that all true falconers should experience just as our ancestors have done for over 4,000 years. Sadly, some jurisdictions in other countries do not permit this. Globally, falconry is recognized by UNESCO as being of "Significant Cultural Human Heritage". The act of going out searching and trapping a bird of prey, and then tame and train it to hunt with you, is a truly unique experience. A wild bird of prey brings so much more to the table that a captive bred bird simply can't be trained in captivity to do. Providing you take a bird later in the season, you will experience things it has learned to do, that will make you smile and wonder in amazement. All responsible falconers provide their birds with daily care, sheltered housing and food, regardless of its hunting success on any given day. However they do not get to experience true hunger like a wild bird would when unsuccessful in the hunt. Developing trust with a truly wild bird is a real challenge, although varies from species to species. From capture to first free flight usually takes 3-4 weeks, again depending upon raptor species, age and the skill of the falconer. The trick is not to take the freedom away from the bird but rather get the bird to see the advantage of the relationship to the falconer and their dog. Species such as prairie falcons quickly recognize this, although initially they can be a very tough nut to crack. In my province we are allowed to take up to two of a list of a dozen wild raptor species. We specify what raptor(s) on our "collection permit" and can take either sex and any age. However, as falconers we take an ethical approach of only harvesting juvenile birds. The rational is, that for a bird to reach adulthood, it has proven itself to be one of the 25% that make it through their first year. Scientific studies have shown that 3 in every 4 chicks born each spring, do not make their first birthday in the wild. So harvesting a juvenile bird is more likely going to save and prolong its life. Whereas an adult bird has already proved it can survive and represents a future breeder for generations to come. Scientifically it has zero effect on the wild population taking an adult, its a personal choice in our province. Most falconers will fly their wild taken bird for a few seasons and then release back into the wild, as I had done with my last prairie, and was the practice by falconers for hundreds of years before me. This short video chronicling my recent experience in trapping a wild prairie falcon, may be of interested to some who do not have this privilege. You will note that after much searching, I only managed to trap an adult bird so it is immediately released in the same spot and none the worse for wear. She probably won't fall for that trick again. Hopefully this spring and summer she will find a partner, breed and raise a clutch of up to 5 young. Maybe this fall I will attempt to trap one of those instead. I hope you enjoy the video and please try keep an open mind.