Most Mississippi athletes who hunt small game birds and rabbits use a modern, properly sized shotgun and it has been that way for nearly three centuries. More than 357,000 Mississippi hunters 16 years of age and older go out into the woods each year, a force greater than that of the peacetime armies of Germany, Britain and France combined. However, of those hunters, only about 25 use a bird of prey rather than a firearm or primitive weapon to hunt.

What is Falconry?

Falconry is hunting wild animals in their natural habitat with the use of a trained falcon. In past times, the term austringer or falconer was used for a hunter who did the same with a falcon or an eagle, however today the term falconer and falconry is used for the practitioner and sport in general. The hobby originated in the ancient world in 2000 BC. C. and predates the use of firearms to hunt in more than a millennium.

Do you have what it takes?

Falconry is time consuming and expensive. One should start out as an apprentice to the sport and work up to being a master or general level falconer. Alan Mumbower, MDWFP’s regional biologist and Falcon Program guru puts it like this on the states website to see if falconry is for you:

“Do you want, can you, dedicate part of your waking hours to a creature that at best will simply tolerate your presence, is as affectionate as a stone, and at worst will cause heart pain and puncture wounds? ? Can you commit to an average of half an hour a day, every day, and two to four hours on a hunting day, regardless of school, family, or work, as long as you have your bird?

Being a falconer takes more time than many other hunting disciplines and is a lifestyle change that affects you 365 days a year. Let’s face it, no matter how dedicated a hunter is, you still don’t have to feed and care for your rifles, shotguns, or bows every day, no matter what. With a bird of prey on the payroll, you will.

How much?

The good news is that the most valuable item that you couldn’t do the sport without is free. You cannot legally buy a bird of prey to hunt and you must catch yours in the wild. However, before heading into the woods to capture your new feathered friend, you must first apply for an apprenticeship. In the application you must pass a certification review and inspection where you must show your Mews (indoor installation for your raptor), your outdoor area where the tied raptor can fly, your jesses (anklet) for the bird, swivel, strap, gloves, bath containers, perches, scales and other equipment necessary to care for and train your animal. This equipment is highly specialized and, like all good hunting equipment, costs money. However, even before you go to buy your equipment, you must pay for setup with MDWFP to take your falconry written exam per federal and state regulations, and pay your permits and fees of not less than $ 100 (valid for five years) plus the cost of your regular hunting license.

Your learning.

Current Mississippi state regulations only allow the apprentice falconer, who must be a minimum of 14 years of age, to humanely catch their new bird during the approved times after all of the above tests, fees and inspections have been performed. An apprentice can only own a red-tailed hawk (the one most used by new falconers) either a red-shouldered hawk or an American kestrel. The new falconer must train his first animal and use it for a full hunting season before becoming a general falconer after two years. During this time you must work and be sponsored by a Master Falconer, by definition an athlete with at least eight years of experience in the sport. General Falconers can possess two raptors and hunt without the tutelage of a master. Master falconers can own three birds.

the reward

The two dozen Mississippi falconers who practice this ancient sport would not have it otherwise. For their time, effort, and money invested, they are modern beastmasters who are literally one with nature. Many Mississippi falconers practice the most extreme bird hunting and use their raptors to catch ducks and pigeons, as well as squirrels and rabbits effortlessly and with great majesty that must be seen to be appreciated.