Falconry is legal in both jurisdictions in Ireland, but a completely different set of laws and restrictions apply.

To make a start you should first contact the government agency with responsibility for falconry and tell them that you are interested in becoming a falconer.They will send you information accordingly. This information should include the laws regarding falconry and application forms for the various licences. It is well worth buying copies of the relevant wildlife act for your particular jurisdiction and reading through them at length.

In the South: Duchas, 7 Ely Place Dublin administers the Wildlife Act 1976 and amendments.

In the North: Environment and Heritage Service, Commonwealth House, 35 Castle Street, Belfast operates the Wildlife (N.I.) Order 1985.

You must understand all of these regulations fully before going any further.You should try to contact a falconer living in your area who is willing to help you. Even experienced falconers value the help of other falconers - beginners above all need that help.

The IHC will help you find someone. Read about falconry. Learn from other peoples mistakes, not just your own. Go into the field on hunts with your experienced falconer. Dedicate at least a year to observation and reading only. If you are still convinced that you want to become a falconer, go through the final phase and build your mews and weathering area and acquire equipment with care and before acquiring a hawk.

The following are all needed: a good weighing scale, suitable leather and tools to make jesses, hoods etc., a block or perch, bells and a telemetry system. IHC Newsletters contain ads from specialist suppliers.

Meet the local Wildlife Ranger who has to approve your licence. Only after all these are done should you think about getting a hawk. There is a lot to know and a lot to learn.

>>IMPORTANT: Many people start out on the road to falconry and find they cannot dedicate enough time to owning and flying a hawk. Provided they discover this before they get a hawk there is no problem. If they discover it after they get a hawk then they will have spoiled one. You do not have to keep a hawk to be a competent falconer. You can still enjoy falconry as a spectator, even as a skilled one if you go out with a friend who does have the time to fly a hawk as it should be done.