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Y2K falconry presents a snap-shot of falconry at the start of the 21st century. Subject areas covered are wide-ranging and divided evenly between long and short-winged raptors. The imprinting of both generic groups has been covered in some depth, as has the development of successful hunting strategies for several species. Also included are chapters from several successful UK and international falconers relating to their hunting experiences and observations on the sport.
Well, if I'd realized 18 years ago that a hobby could dominate my life so completely it's doubtful I'd ever have got involved... an addiction describes it better. How can something so frustrating be seen as pleasurable? Lost birds, dead birds, expense, stress... the list extends yet we continue.
In recent years I've concentrated on waiting-on flights with falcons. From my experience the frustration and stress multiplies as a function of our bird's height. With Buteo's and accipiter's, problems, when encountered are generally less severe; it's when you start craving neck aching elevation that you truly appreciate the full spectrum of problems that nature can throw at you.
Retrospectively, the amusing part is that we keep at it. Somehow after all the kicks, knock-backs and frustration, the following season finds the same faces back in the fray. I guess the consolation is in understanding that with each small improvement, nature losses her grip until that neck-ache becomes familiar.
On the other side of the coin when everything combines without issue it's an experience that transcends words, something you have to experience to appreciate, something worth craving for.
Falconry has drawn many parallels, from extreme bird watching to fishing and hunting... it's all these and then some.
The function of this book is to provide a working manual for the greater understanding of both imprint and parent raised falcons and short-winged hawks, more importantly providing instruction on how to extract more performance from them. It assumes a working knowledge of current falconry terminology and techniques, with few concessions for the beginner.
The concepts and ideas discussed have been formed over years of personal experimentation with a view to pushing the limitations of what is possible with trained birds of prey.
I have been fortunate in having a network of experienced and dedicated individuals across the globe who have contributed to my greater understanding of the "life-style" we call falconry.
As an individual I rarely take anything at face value comments such as, "always and never" rankle, as our world is a place of few absolutes. I guess I'm an unremitting sceptic, show me the proof and you'll get my attention, demonstrate its effectiveness and you'll get my respect. In common with many other complex subjects, continuation brings the realisation that "the more you know, the more you realise how little you know".
Since acquiring my first hawk in 1990, the falconry world has been propelled forward and exposed to an expanding stream of technical innovation and revolutionary training methods at a rate that I could never have dared imagine. There's hardly a facet of falconry that has not been touched or reconfigured by this force.
During my involvement in the sport, imprints have moved in status from being totally misunderstood to the choice of many. This has aided artificial insemination, expanding production of the many hybrids we find available today.
One of the biggest struggles encountered when compiling a reference book is ensuring you include enough detail to instil understanding, without over burdening the reader with information, necessitating the requirement for a stream of comments in the margins.
To aid this process you will find "recap" sections of important points at the end of relevant sections.
The text has not been designed as a definitive set of rules, but more a guide to what I and the other contributors have found to be successful. I have no
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