LEGISLATION

BEGINNERS

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 (Refer to Legislation Section).  

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 – the IHC will try to assist you. Even experienced falconers value the help of other falconers - beginners above all need that help.

Beginners should read extensively 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 apply for the relevant licenses, build your mews and weathering area, and acquire equipment with care and before acquiring a hawk.

It has been said that falconry is a sport for the very rich or the unemployed!  The key point here is that it requires a significant amount of time. For any falconer to do justice to his/her bird, they need to be able to dedicate a significant amount of time to training, flying and hunting their bird.  If you do not have time, you are likely to spoil your bird of prey.  You can still enjoy falconry as a spectator and member of the Irish Hawking Club.

People who intend to keep a falcon or hawk as a pet, should be discouraged from taking up falconry. Hunting is important for both the physical and mental well being of the bird. In order to hunt with a bird of prey, one will need to ensure that they have adequate access to suitable hunting land, with sufficient numbers of quarry species (i.e., rabbits, crows,etc.).  Each species of bird of prey has evolved and is finely tuned, over thousands of years, to pursue different types of prey species through a variety of hunting and flying styles.  Therefore, an appreciation of the natural habitat and behaviour of wild birds of prey provides a good  foundation.

BEFORE GETTING A BIRD YOU SHOULD

• have read a number of books on falconry;

• be familiar of the relevant legislation in your jurisdiction;

• have carefully considered the land/habitat available to you to hunt (with appropriate permission from landowners, gun-clubs, etc. in addition to adequate transport facilities);

• have spoken to a number of falconers (so that you are well informed and can learn from others mistakes), and ideally have witnessed falconry in the field (through the club you will develop contacts and can attend field meets)

• You might also want to consider undertaking an introductory course on falconry at an established bird of prey or falconry centre (this can be particularly advisable to beginners who do not live close to an established falconer and mentor).

Then you can think about what species of bird to get.

Before you obtain a bird, though, you will need to ensure that you -

• Possess sufficient falconry equipment – perches, gloves, swivels, anklets, jesses, bells, etc. and ideally telemetry (all falconers flying non-native birds of prey or hybrids should have a transmitter and receiver; you should also know how to make standard traditional falconry equipment and therefore should have suitable leather, tools and equipment such as punches, eyelets, etc.)
• Have adequate facilities to keep a hawk or falcon (aviary/mews of generous size with suitable weathering facilities; freezer for storing food, first aid kit);

• Insurance is also recommended (available at a discount rate from the IHC)

The IHC has produced a beginner’s leaflet and guidance on the housing of birds of prey, which can be made available on request from the Treasurer when making your application for membership.