Please check these out if you are an aspiring Falconer, Rehabilitation Student etc., in the mid-west. Either facility has fantastic classes and will also accept First and Second year Apprentices, Generals and Masters that would like to further their education.
"Falconry is not a hobby or an amusement; it is a rage. You eat and drink it, sleep it and think it. You tremble to write of it, even in recollection. It is as King James the First remarked, an extreme stirrer up of passions." --- T.H. White
Just a note on this: I attended the first of the 5 classes from SOAR recently, and it was great! They open the class to anyone, licensed, interested, etc, and several people who already have their general or master's licenses were there too, for repeat courses and to socialize. The atmosphere was very casual and friendly, and they were happy to answer questions from anyone during breaks etc. Since they do education and rehab as well as falcory, they have several birds of different species there, and it was great to get to go up and see them in the weathering area. I am looking forward to the next 4 classes, and think this is a great deal for anyone in the area (I am about 2.5 hrs away, but thats close enough!) - its not expensive (I don't have lots of $$ ) and the people are really nice and knowledgable. Good contacts!
I'm not here to tear apart SOAR's desire to train the public, but after taking their courses for two years back in the late 1980s I do have some reservations. Mixing rehab and animal husbandry while calling it falconry leaves people with some confusion about what exactly the sport is all about.
There have been several SOAR graduates that have been pushing an agenda of public education to the falconry community for some time now. (it sounds like a good thing) When we as falconers start bringing the public out to see raptors sitting on perches or flying to creances AND we call it falconry we distort the sport. The idea of several of these folks is that hunting emphasis will turn off the public and they will oppose falconry.
I counter that the above approach using rehab and displays indeed will harm falconry. Showing birds harvested from the wild tied to strings for purposes of husbandry removes the hunting and fair-chase elements that separate falconry from pet keeping or rehabillitation. Many members of the public would be more upset by the sight of birds tied to perches with no obvious purpose than if they were forced to walk through the weeds for 6 hours chasing rabbits with a little well earned success in the end.
While keeping this factual, a few years ago this organization sponsored a Lady Hawkers meet that had over 30 people yet only one raptor was flown. To some, this could imply that falconry isn't about hunting, using healthy wild birds in a natural setting to kill game...but rather that the point is something else.
If there is another point that is fine...but please don't consider it to be falconry. Under such logic and distortion of definitions I would be forced to call myself a skydiver when I collect butterflys.
If you want to learn about raptors these types of courses are probably a very educational experience. On the other hand, if you want to learn the art of falconry it is best taught in the hunting field with a qualified falconer in the abscence of bird displays or rehab birds.
Excellent post. You've raised some very important points about the blurring of the lines between falconry and raptor rehab. I'm glad to see you post this information on this forum as it's very important (especially for newcomers to the sport of falconry) to understand the difference.
...but after taking their courses for two years back in the late 1980s I do have some reservations.
I'd like to respond to some of Troy's comments.
Troy was 13 year old -- just out of grade school -- when he attended our seminars. At that time, he claimed he was an occasional rehab/nature center volunteer, and that he was interested in falconry and rehab. The program addressed both. If he had reservations about the seminars, one wonders why he attended for TWO years.
Originally, the seminar program was created (by me, the GLFA Education Chairperson) at the request of our state falconry club - as a much-needed annual wannabe and apprentice workshop offered free to members. For years, my husband and I volunarily opened our home to strangers interested in falconry, arranged topic speakers, served beverages and snacks, photocopied articles and class outlines, and personally taught NINE classes each year. Troy benefited from our efforts. By his criticism, he gives new meaning to the saying "no good deed goes unpunished." After I resigned from the GLFA Board, the club couldn't find willing volunteers to continue the seminar program. My org (SOAR) began sponsoring it.
Mixing rehab and animal husbandry while calling it falconry leaves people with some confusion about what exactly the sport is all about.
Husbandry and rehab (unfortunately) are integral parts of good falconry. One needs to know how to properly maintain a healthy bird (husbandry). Should that bird become ill or injured, one needs to know how and when to manage its treatment to recovery (rehab). This knowledge is pertinent to all raptor handlers and keepers, be they rehabbers, educators, zoo managers, or falconers. FALCONRY techniques apply to ALL raptor-related fields.
There have been several SOAR graduates that have been pushing an agenda of public education to the falconry community for some time now.
It appears to me that Troy is suggesting that falconry's light should be hidden under a basket. It should be a secret society reserved for a privileged few - like in the old days. How many here had their passion for birds and falconry sparked after seeing a 'public' program?
I counter that the above approach using rehab and displays indeed will harm falconry.
I've seen many zoo and nature center raptor displays. I can't see how they "harm falconry". Likewise, I've been to many rehab centers and heard their ed programs. Again, I can't see the connection with harming falconry. From my observations and experience, bad falconers harm falconry... just as bad rehabbers harm rehab, and bad teachers harm education, and so on.
While keeping this factual, a few years ago this organization sponsored a Lady Hawkers meet that had over 30 people yet only one raptor was flown. To some, this could imply that falconry isn't about hunting, using healthy wild birds in a natural setting to kill game...but rather that the point is something else.
Troy doesn't know the facts. Seventeen years ago, our first Lady Hawkers meet had only three women attending and one hawk flying -- mine. Back then, there were VERY few women flying birds in falconry. That's changed. Last year, 25 women attended, and six women flew their hawks and took wild game. Those women falconers who didn't fly birds had already put their hawks up for the season - the meet being in March. The meet is by SOAR invitation only - a private hawking party for outdoor and hunting women - not just exclusively for falconers. Who or how many I invite, or who or how many fly their hawks, is none of Troy's (or anyone's) business.
If you want to learn about raptors these types of courses are probably a very educational experience. On the other hand, if you want to learn the art of falconry it is best taught in the hunting field with a qualified falconer in the abscence of bird displays or rehab birds.
Without question, observing and participating in several falconry hunts with different species IS the best teacher. We definitely encourage this, and invite women seminar students to Lady Hawkers, and all students to our New Year's Day meets. We also encourage them to attend state club meets. The unreleasable ed birds, and our falconry birds, we use in our seminars offer the novice an up-close and hands-on experience they'll never forget. Two in this thread recommend the program. One has 'reservations'. I invite Illinois newbies to sign up for the first class - and decide for themselves if it's of value to them.
I know it's been a while since much was posted on this. Just wanted to say "I've been there, it was great, I am now an apprentice actively pursuing falconry and, thanks to SOAR, I may have received a head start in my learning path!" thanks~