From: srh3@Ra.MsState.Edu (Steven R. Hollis)
Subject: Re: A word on falconry, from an expert
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 16:38:06 GMT

     I would just like to take a moment to publicly thank Dr. Conway for
his article.  I am an apprentice falconer and bird-lover (though that`
sounds like an oxymoron I assure you it is not.) He has given me very sage
advice over the past few months about care and habits of raptors even though
his personal views and mine did not always agree.  Now if you will, a little
supplication to his article.

    There has been a lot of flak given to the falconer about disrupting
nature and the natural order of things.  While I see the point and in some
ways agree, let's look at the flip side of how falconry can BENEFIT nature
and the raptors as a species.
    I will use the red-tail as an example simply because it is a common
falconry bird and the one with which I have had my experiences with.
    Yes, the bird is taken from the wild.  Agreed.  But look at the usual
pattern.  A bird is taken flown for a few seasons (the number varies from
falconer to falconer) but from what I have seen and read, most are eventually
released back into the wild.  The falconer is taking an immature bird (if
he is following the law) and is giving it food and shelter through its first
winter (any animals hardest) .  The falconer does not train the bird in the
sense that they are learning something new.  The hawk already knows how to hunt`
What is happening is the falconer is IMPROVING the bird's skills and also
teaching it to capture bigger quarry with greater success.  The average lifespan
of the red-tailed hawk is anywhere from 20-30 years.  When, no, for arguments
sake I will say "if" the bird is returned to the wild, his skills are better
than his wild reared brothers if his trainer did his job.  I can say
that there is an honest sense of pride the true falconer can enjoy knowing
he has helped strenghten the foothold the raptors have.  
    As far as "hacking" or releasing birds back into the wild.  If the bird
is a first-year bird instead of a nestling, this helps.  That is why the
law will not let the apprentice take a nestling.  If he screws up or the
bird gets away......no real harm is done.  A red-tailed haw released with
a full stomach will normally regain his fear of man, even his trainer, 
within 24-48 ours IN MY EXPERIENCE.  I am no authority on this.  I have heard
of some released birds that hang around.  THis may be.
    As a last note, I have refrained from using the word "master" in referring 
to the falconer, because he is not.  I tend to look at it as more of a 
partnership.  I flush game for the bird, he gets to kill and eat.  The
bird can terminate the partnership at anytime when out in the field.  I 
have never heard of a falconer who has hunted for a long period of time 
with the first bird he ever caught.  Falconry is not a sport to put meat
on the table.  It is more than that.  To me, at least, it is an honor and
a privelage to watch, up close, these magnificent creatures doing
what the Good Lord created them to do.

Thanks for bearing my long-windedness
Good birding

Steve

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Steve Hollis---Your friendly          |  "What for you say you monkey, when
neighborhood zoology major/lit minor  |   you got little powder puff tail
srh3@ra.msstate.edu                   |   like rabbit----RABBIT?"