Falconry Information
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Robinette Sculpture Falconry Information
Man, Birds, and Falconry
Kurt Robinette became fascinated by birds at a very early age. He began with parakeets, pigeons, pheasants, and moved up the food chain to raptors. Becoming a falconer came naturally; it was something he felt he was meant to become. As a licensed falconer he would be able to enjoy these special birds up close and personal. By “living” with them, he could study his birds in all the moments of their lives and carry his knowledge, appreciation, and admiration of them into his art. His study of birds of prey became a passion.
Falconry is the ancient art of training birds of prey to hunt in cooperation with man. It is not known when falconry first began. Many estimate that it began around 2000 B.C., possibly in China. It spread across the East from Arabia, through India, and over to Japan. Falconry came to Europe and was well established there by the 13th century. It was avidly practiced in Russia, England, France, Germany, Austria, Holland, Spain, and Italy. Though not a practical method of acquiring great amounts of wild game, this method of hunting is dramatic and full of high intensity.
Falcons were trained to fly off the fist of a falconer and circle a hunting party while ascending to heights up to a thousand feet or more. Once the bird acquired its proper position overhead, the falconer, hunting party, and dogs would flush the wild game. The falcon would fold her wings and dive straight down, reaching speeds in excess of 200 miles per hour. She would grab her prey with her powerful feet or crash into it in classic style. Though the food was enjoyed, falconry quickly became more of a spectator’s sport for nobility. Kings and Emperors would use their status to acquire birds from other countries, often trading birds with other nobles. Many falconers were employed as they raised and trained birds for royalty. A master falconer was very experienced and would often train an apprentice in the art of falconry. Ancient techniques became traditions.
Falconry provided opportunities for Kings and Lords to host other nobles for grand hunting parties. The King of England, France, Russian Czars, and Holy Roman Emperors all maintained extravagant falconry establishments, often using the skills of hundreds of the country’s finest falconers. For the nobility, falconry was practiced on a magnificent scale and became an essential element in establishing and maintaining personal and national prestige. The birds you were allowed to own depended on your status in life. For example, a man carrying a gyrfalcon was a king, a man carrying a golden eagle was an emperor, and a man carrying a female peregrine was a prince.
Falconry in North America was not practiced until the early 1900's. With all the modern and much more practical methods of hunting available, it is not surprising that there are few falconers practicing this ancient method today. Not unlike someone who chooses to hunt with a bow, falconers hunt with raptors for the experience and not for the quantity of quarry.
Falconry is not a hobby, it is more of a life style. It is unlikely that there is any hobby or recreational activity that requires more regular attention than falconry. Handling wild birds requires a great deal of time and patience. Falconry is not really about taking quarry; falconry is not keeping a bird for show or having a “pet” hawk. Birds of prey cannot be made pets or tamed from their wild instincts. At best, a raptor learns to “tolerate” man but with conditions. A falconer must know how to work with those instincts in cooperative form to allow mutual respect between bird and man. Falconry is a deep and abiding interest in the outdoors and nature. Falconers have a love of life and of living creatures. Falconers are people with a deep love of birds and take very good care of their raptors. They work very hard and give a lot of energy for a comparatively small amount of reward. Falconry is essentially “specialized” bird watching. Falconers enjoy watching raptors do what they do best, hunt. There are tremendous risks in flying birds of prey. Because the birds are released and are completely free as they capture their game, birds can, and often do, fly away. Because of the intensity hunting brings, many birds have accidents. Electrocution on power poles, gunshots by ignorant persons, predation by other birds of prey, and disease all take their toll.
Practicing falconers in the U.S. are required to obtain several licenses and permits. Proper care and techniques are strictly enforced by Wildlife agencies. There are several classes of falconers. An apprentice falconer can only practice falconry under the tutelage of an experienced falconer until proper time, education, and experience are acquired. The next class is “General,” with the most experienced class being the “Master” class.
Falconry is also not a sport to be entered into without proper funds. Birds require large quantities of food in the form of frozen whole animals. Other significant expenses include purchasing captive bred birds of prey, gas and vehicles to drive around looking for suitable areas to fly the birds, dogs, large buildings to house the birds, supplies, and electronic transmitters to help track an errant bird. These transmitters are a “high tech” addition to ancient falconry.
Kurt Robinette is a master class practicing falconer who is deeply committed to this life style. He knows the birds well because he lives with them, studies them, and by proxy, “flies” with them.