A Falcon’s-Eye View of Extended Tame Hack
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by Jason Jones
here have been several articles written regarding the benefits of and techniques for hacking and tame hacking falcons. This article is not meant to recap what has already been reported. Rather, I wanted to provide some insight into the daily activities of young falcons while at extended tame hack with the hope that others would see that it may just be worth the risk. This is not an account of the whole project, just some highlights. My falcons were also wearing high-definition video cameras while they were at tame hack. Reviewing hours of video from the backs of these falcons provided some surprising data regarding their daily ventures. I’ve included a few still photos that truly illuminate the inaccessible perspective which every falconer has dreamed of since before the days of King Frederick II – a falcon’s-eye view of the world. The clarity is not perfect, but I hope you appreciate the angle. Even after twenty years of falconry and falcon breeding, last summer’s project ranks as the most entertaining and enlightening experiences I have had with raptors. I think it is fairly well accepted that the physical abilities, socialization, and mental development of a young falcon are jump started by a tame hack period. The criticisms of tame hack methods often relate to the tendency of young falcons to spend more time sitting than flying. This is true early on, but the young falcons soon start covering the sky after about three weeks of freedom. Unfortunately, this is usually about the same time that the hack period is brought to a close and formal training begins. The obvious reason for limiting the freedom period in the young falcons is the inevitable onset of the dispersal instinct. Nobody wants to see their new hope for a great falconry season head permanently south on a warm August breeze. A brief account of the highlights from my experience with the prolonged tame hack of a group of five imprint falcons leads me to believe, that under the right conditions, the benefits of a prolonged tame hack can outweigh the risks. 56
NAFA JOURNAL 2011