You should connect with a falconer in your area and ask to accompany them on a hunt. This step is critical because it is where you will find out if falconry is truly for you and if your cut-out for the sport. Several things are gonna happen during this hunt that will challenge you physically and emotionally. Hunting with a bird of prey can be physically demanding, you don’t just put the bird up in a tree and wait, you will walk through, at times, some of the thickest willows and alders, and knee-deep snow to flush prey. If you have a good hunting dog this can help but you’re still following the bird and assisting when they drop down on prey. The emotional effects for some can’t be overcome. Birds of prey hunt for food and food means survival. Falconry birds are no different, they have a strong survival instinct and they show no mercy towards their prey. This can appear quite violent to someone who has never experienced it, which is most. So be prepared and understand this is a natural process for these birds. Another thing to consider is what you’ll want to hunt and how far you’ll have to travel to get to hunting areas with plenty of game. As an apprentice, you will most likely be required by your sponsor to trap and “man” a Harlen’s Red-Tailed hawk. A Harlen’s primarily hunt hares so ask around for the best places close to you to hunt them. Note: “Manning” is the process of convincing the bird you won’t hurt them, and to return to you. This is done through weight control which we will cover in another article. Though this process is sometimes referred to as training, these birds are much like a good hunting dog and don’t need you to train them to hunt, they are, by nature, very efficient at what they do.