Nevada falcons can hear the falconer • By Ashley Hennefer
For more information, visit www.nevadafalconry.com.
H
unting is one of humanity’s oldest, most sacred skills. What began as an act of survival also paved the way to the establishment of tribes, and eventually, civilization. In many cultures, to be a hunter means to be self-sufficient and knowledgeable about the environment; to appreciate the sacrifices made to sustain a mutual existence with nature. Despite new gadgets, weaponry and a multimillion dollar industry dedicated to it, hunting, in essence, has stayed largely the same over time. Hunting with animal companions, particularly dogs or birds, continues to be popular around the world. Falconry—hunting with birds of prey—is on the upswing as a new generation of hunters emerge, seeking out a blend of traditional and progressive modes of hunting that link the present to the past.
Early bird
"My favorite birds to fly are Harris' hawks," says falconer Corey Dalton. "It's really the only bird of prey to hunt in packs."
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JANUARY 22, 2015
Historians are divided on exactly where and when falconry originated. A PBS report states that people from Mongolia and regions in the Middle East and Asia were said to be prolific falconers as far back as 10,000 BC. Regardless of the various instances popping up throughout history, the report says it’s safe to assume that by 2000 BC, falconry was well-established throughout most of Asia and Europe. Almost every civilization is reported to have used falconry at some point in their history; unique species of raptors are found globally. Falconers make up a small subset of Nevada’s hunters. It helps that many birds of prey are native to Nevada, such as the Peregrine falcon and the Prairie falcon. There are—usually—plenty of small critters, like squirrels and jack rabbits, to hunt, although that fluctuates, according to Corey Dalton, a Renobased falconer and the founder of Falconry Outfitters. He runs the website Nevada Falconry, and while he also hunts with a bow or shotgun “once in a great while,” falconry is his mode of choice. “Falconry is it for me,” he says. “I much prefer flying my bird than
running around with a gun. It’s more fun, it’s cleaner, I don’t have to worry about any accidents, and I can bring anyone with me.” Dalton trains his birds so that they are comfortable and acclimated around other people. Dalton has been a falconer for about 10 years. Although his interest began as a child, he didn’t delve into the hobby until adulthood. “I pretty much got really into birds of prey when I was 12,” Dalton says, mentioning an experience where he helped the Wildlife Department rescue a bird. “I’ve always known about falconry since I was a kid, since I studied history and the Middle Ages ... I thought you had to be some sort of biologist or zoologist or be super rich to be a falconer.” He learned this wasn’t the case, although it’s true that historically, many royals were known to be falconers. Rather than money, he says time and space are key to becoming a falconer. The Nevada Department of Wildlife offers permits, and amateur falconers should begin as apprentices and shadow experienced hunters before going solo. While it’s a relatively inexpensive hobby, gear and materials are still needed to establish habitats for the falcons. They require frequent practice and room to fly. Being a falconer also means understanding and accepting the cycle of life. “People don’t realize that it’s cool to see this bird, but it’s going to eat and kill whatever it catches,” he says. “People get uncomfortable with that aspect of death. You can’t be squeamish about it.” The risk of losing a bird is also a reality; no matter the relationship between bird and owner, they can occasionally fly off or be killed by other wildlife. “You can’t be timid to let it go free,” he says. “They need to be out flying.” Dalton says he’s never had one fly off, although he has let some go free again or had them die of ailments or diseases. “It’s hard, but you have to be prepared to deal with death,” he says.
