In our travels we encounter many individuals who express the desire to ‘get close’ to the feathered-ones. Universally, we’ve heard “I can’t believe I’m this close to him/her/a hawk/a falcon”, or, “I can’t believe how calm he/she is with all these people/all this activity going on around us”. Inevitably I’m asked “how did you get into working with birds-of-prey?”, to which my response has become “That’s…not a short story.”

Here are our course offerings for individuals interested in satisfying a curiosity, answering a secret, close-held wish, or living a dream, albeit for a few hours, or a few days, (and we’ll never ask you to run a garden-hose!).

We look forward to meeting you soon…

The Half-Day Intro-to-Raptors program:

What is it like to work with a bird-of-prey? What’s involved with their care? What does it feel like to have one fly to my glove?

This four-hour session introduces the curious to a few of the basic skills –  and the privilege — of being with raptors. We can’t make an expert out of you in such a short time, but we’ll teach you the Falconer’s Knot, explain the value of “manning” by actually having you do it, and finish the session with an exercise session with ‘Mohave’. A wonderful gift for animal-loving teens, or a special experience for the bird/raptor-enthusiast in your family.

Course fee: $80 (HST included)

Introductory Falconry Program:

You’re a birder, a wildlife enthusiast, or someone who has “always dreamed of working with raptors”. You’re thinking about whether you can make the commitment to having a bird-of-prey, or you really wish you could…but there’s no time for it in your life — right now. Either way, this full-day session develops all the fundamental handling skills needed to either start you on your journey, or satisfy a few of those questions you’ve longed to answer.

This eight-hour day will be one of skill-building; after “setting the scene” with some of what is known about Falconry’s inception, we’ll roll up our sleeves. The nuances of approaching, picking up and tying off to the glove using the Falconer’s Knot is how we start. Then weighing — contrasted with the historical method of daily weight-assessment (ie: feeling the keel). We follow this with ‘manning’, and ‘casting’, then we’ll discuss some of the more common health ailments encountered in the stewardship of raptors — which will include the experience of cleaning our Companion’s feet!

You’ll see video footage which directly contrasts and compares falcon vs hawk flying (in the wild), and footage from the National Geographic team who established once and for all the accepted top speed of the fastest living being on Earth: the Peregrine Falcon.

If there is time, (after all, you’ll be wanting to see them fly…provided the weather is cooperative), there’ll be a coping (ie: “raptor dentistry”) or equipment-making demonstration (ie: jesses, aylmeri). Then its time to head to the outdoor “Classroom” to get in some flying where you’ll cap off your day by trying your hand at lure-swinging, and flying our Red Tail to the glove.

This makes a fantastic gift any time — we’ve even had couples come to the full-day course to celebrate anniversaries or to surprise each other with a wonderful “mystery date”. This is a tremendous experience for young people considering careers in veterinary medicine, an excellent adjunct experience for those all ready involved in veterinary care or rehabilitation work, (we’ve been honoured to have several vets take our program), or anyone drawn to birds-of-prey.

Course Fee: $140 (HST included)

Two day Intensive Falconry Program:

This is an expanded version of the one-day course; after a review of the previous days’s skill set, all aspects of equipment making and application onto a bird-of-prey is covered. Basic first-aid techniques and a full coping demonstration are included before heading to the outdoor “Classroom” again for an expanded flying-training session. The second day of the two-day program runs approximately six hours in duration.

Course Fee: $200 (HST included)

Apprenticeship Preparedness Program:

This full-week program intensively covers all aspects of raptor stewardship, and includes lecture-time from a veterinarian and BC Fish & Wildlife biologist/policy-maker, in-situ studies of wild raptor behaviours led by established birding enthusiasts, a visit to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and plenty of skill-building “face-time” with Team Feathers. And we still won’t expect you to operate a garden-hose, (with a straight face).

It is an intensive course for individuals determined to have a bird-of-prey of their own, and who wish to establish solid skills to offer an experienced Falconer or raptor-breeder in BC who is willing to continue mentoring them. We firmly believe no one should take on any bird-of-prey before putting in at least one-year’s consistent study with a highly experienced individual — it is, sadly, too easy to cause a tragedy through ignorance of the basics, or through a lack of serious concern for a bird-of-prey’s welfare.

Due to the depth of planning and scheduling involved in running this program, a minimum of four students, (maximum of six), is required with full, non-refundable deposits of half the course-fees submitted. We are open to running The Falconlady’s inaugural Preparedness Program in the Spring of 2012. Please contact us at: The Falconlady with your inquiries.

Course Fee: $700 (HST included)