How to Become a Falconer

This information pertains to Oklahoma residents only. Residents of other states should check with the proper authorities, and there may also be local city ordinances with which you must comply.

If you decide to become a falconer . . . KEEP IT LEGAL AND KEEP IT HUMANE - YOU ARE SETTING AN EXAMPLE. Legitimate falconers will be the first to call attention to any illegal activities regarding their sport and their cherished birds. We will protect and preserve our sport - our way of life - from being damaged by the loss of confidence by authorities and bad publicity that law-breakers and mar-hawks can generate.

Most of the material we give below is paraphrased from an information sheet published by the North American Falconers' Association in 1988.

To begin with one must ask the question "Do I really want to become a falconer?" You may have read about this ancient art in a book or periodical, learned about it through television or radio, perhaps a movie, or you may have even seen a trained hawk in action. Whatever the case, you were obviously impressed enough to want to learn more about the sport of falconry.

However, few people thrilling at the magic of a trained hawk in flight realize what demands are placed on one who aspires to be a falconer. Even fewer will be willing to make the sacrifices. There are the stringent, long-term demands of time, effort and money. The media often sensationalizes falconry, because the sport can be exciting to watch, and carries with it the intrigues of antiquity. But public media frequently are inaccurate in their representation of what it takes to be a falconer.

Of all sports in America, falconry is the only one that utilizes a trained wild creature. Falcons, hawks, eagles and owls are essential elements of our wildlife. The competent falconer takes care to follow sound conservation principles in the pursuit of the sport.

Even though the federal government's environmental impact assessment states falconry has "no impact" on wild raptor populations, a careless, uninformed individual, attempting to satisfy a passing fancy, can do great harm to one or more birds and cast the shadow of discredit on the sport itself. Most falconers, therefore, before they will agree to help anyone newly attracted to the sport, will require evidence of a serious, committed interest in falconry. They feel that anything less is not worth bothering with.

A serious commitment to becoming a falconer is often evidenced by an individual's ravenous appetite for literature on the sport, a sincere interest in all aspects of wildlife and the out-of-doors, and by a persistent effort to learn the many fundamentals of their art - all before obtaining a hawk. Most falconers had similar beginnings, and today's newcomer must likewise expect a period of apprenticeship.

If you are still convinced that your interest is more than casual and you are willing to undertake a study of falconry before getting a hawk, you must also be prepared to fulfill the additional requirements of becoming a falconer.

Time

Time and patience devoted solely to training and flying a hawk are among the most important demands. The trained hawk requires a minimum amount of time every day, 365 days a year. A bird in training requires substantially more time. Raptors, unlike a rifle or a bow, cannot be hung on the wall and neglected until the next hunting trip. If you cannot make the time to accommodate the hawk's needs for any reason, it is far better never to begin.

Money

You must be able to provide food, shelter, equipment and transportation as a falconer. Hawks have very specific requirements for fresh, lean, raw meat. There are the housing and equipment requirements, most of them mandated by law, that require metal, leather, lumber and the necessary tools, as well as your own skills in working with these materials, or the money to purchase them. A library of falconry related books is not required, but most falconers spend considerable amounts of money on books and falconry club memberships as a source of vital information and enjoyment. You must be able to travel - obtaining a hawk, visiting other falconers, and the training and flying of a hawk will put many miles on a vehicle.

Access to Land

You must have permission to enter adequate and convenient locations with sufficient game on which to fly a hawk. The short-winged hawks are best flown in the woodlots, hedgerows, and briar patches that make up their natural habitat. The falcons, or long-wings, require wide open expanses of land where they may be flown high over the falconer. Areas that are gun-hunted may render an otherwise suitable location unusable because of the potential threat to the safety of the hawk.

Permits

Because all raptors are protected by federal and state laws, all potential falconers must obtain the necessary permits before obtaining a hawk or practicing falconry. There are other requirements that space does not permit to include here.

It is hoped, at least, that you now realize that the art and practice of hawking may not be learned overnight, or in a single lesson, but only after hard work and essentially devoting one's life to the subject. Whether or not you eventually become a falconer, it is hoped that you will retain a friendly interest in birds of prey, their conservation, and the sport of falconry.

What Do I Do Next?

The next step is to write or phone BOTH the federal and state wildlife agencies for copies of their current falconry regulations and permit application forms and procedures. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be contacted by writing to:

Or the Federal Falconry Regulations may be viewed here. (Note that there are 2 linked pages of Federal Falconry Regulations.)

To request the current state regulations write to:

When you receive their information, study the regulations carefully and further consider if you want to continue your interest in the sport while meeting the many stringent requirements to become licensed.

For Further Information

Join the national North American Falconers Association (NAFA) and the Oklahoma Falconers Association (OFA) for current falconry information, and to join fellow falconers in keeping the sport legal and of the highest quality. There are also some falconry related homepages and e-mail lists on the sport. There is a list of "FAQ's"(frequently asked questions) concerning falconry put together by Andrea Chen.

On some websites you may see advertisements to buy falconry raptors, but beginners (apprentices) cannot buy birds. Keep in mind that there is a lot of junk on the internet, as elsewhere. Use your discretion and get expert advice, as in all endeavors.

Additional information on falconry can be found through these sites, forums and e-mail listservers:

The North American Falconers Exchange

The International Falconry Forum

Canadian Falconry Listserver

The North American Falconers Association

If you are accepted for NAFA membership, you will receive three newsletters (Hawk Chalk) and one NAFA Journal each year. These publications contain a wealth of information on the sport.

To join the Oklahoma Falconers Association, request a membership application form from the OFA Treasurer, or print an application from the Join the OFA page on this site.Voting membership is available only to licensed Oklahoma resident falconers.