Falconry: Are merlins the easiest raptor to enter?

This falconry video discusses what makes entering a hawk or falcon easy or difficult. It describes what factors make entering a challenge for falconers, and how merlins may be the easiest falcon or raptor for falconers to enter into the hunting stage. Micro hawking is becoming an increasingly popular form of falconry in our changing and urbanizing world. Understanding the merits of merlin falcons can help new falconers make wise decisions.
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[@justiceforpyropes]

Start off by saying I love your videos, I'm located in Ontario Canada and I've been interested in the sport for over 7+ years. I was looking a bit into merlins as a "starter" once licensed so this video was great to watch! Keep on being one of the big names in the sport and a wonder educator and person in the community!

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Merlin is an awesome choice. John Griggs and I are going to be doing a lot more Merlin content this fall and winter. So be watching for it.

[@thegg5097]

Do they allow you take a falcon as an apprentice in Canada? In our state we have to begin with RT hawk. It's a very rewarding sport

[@justiceforpyropes]

@@benwoodrufffalconry That's awesome! I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the videos to come!

[@justiceforpyropes]

@@thegg5097 Here in Ontario it is very much recommended to start with a RTH or a HH but I believe it is legal with the apprentice license to obtain any native bird we have listed. I'm hoping to start with a passage RTH myself and work my way into different birds like the gos and merlin once a general falconer :)

[@adityavaibhav4941]

Your videos are so informative and we are lucky to have access to your years of experience.

[@habalq8111]

Hello Ben can you do a video about how to introduce car hawking to your bird

[@mynorthernlife]

I have been watching many of your videos and deciding which raptor I would like to obtain. I went to bed last night wondering why you did not have a video on Merlin. Then I just awoke from my sleep and it appears you just posted this video - thanks!

[@davidirving2006]

Easiest BOP to enter for me Sparrowhawks, they seem to switch on to prey before they are even hard penned. As soon as they are flying free the first kill normally comes quickly after that.

[@richardthompson3296]

Between imprint female Merlin and imprint female sharpie. The sharpie took two wild bird's before hard penned. The Merlin took a month to get our first. She spent a month getting her moves down but was pure joy the whole time. Love me some Merlin's

[@thecggames]

Ben, can you do a video on rough-legged hawks? I'm just starting out as an apprentice and am interested to learn more about them. Why don't people typically fly them? Are they difficult to man?

[@mamiiicab9184]

Super video! Merci beaucoup! 😊👍👍👍

[@jshlyrad]

Your size comparison voices almost made me spit out my coffee 😆 🤣

[@mixedup72]

I think you have to get lucky as well. My red tailed hawk trained and entered on game quickly with no baggies being used.

[@joseartola4517]

Enter a hawk, specially a goshawk to wait on would be a theme i would apreciate your suggestions

[@ConorLeonard-jo4ym]

What do I do to get my first bird and how do I start

[@gecko2738]

How about the otus scops owl? Would they make a good beginner bird?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Harder to get them hunting than other Raptors. But they definitely can be trained to hunt. Usually people recommend a diurnal raptor first to get the hunting and training fundamentals down, and then switch to owls. As far as handling though, scops are pretty cut and dry with regular training.

[@gecko2738]

@@benwoodrufffalconry yeah, though I don't have any plans on owning a bird as a pet or hunting companion, the eurasian otus scops owl is so adorable! I don't even know if any zoos in the US even have them. From what I read they mostly eat insects, and sometime small mammals/ birds, so it would be interesting if someone managed to train one as a falconary bird.

[@52bulls]

are you in utah ben?

[@megaball-ps8tq]

Honestly, I was wondering what the rarest bird used in falconry is. If you know, feel free to tell me. Either way, nice video (even though I’m not a falconry guy myself)

[@MrShami99]

Can you please help me to make anklets of AK?

[@lohikarhu734]

I was thinking that a Merlin in the USA is probably about the size, approximately, of the European Kestrel?

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

European kestrels are actually typically bigger than USA merlins. But the proportions are different. Merlins are built for more speed and momentum-driven hunting styles. European kestrels, even though bigger than merlins, are still built basically like an American kestrel, with proportionately smaller toes meant for pouncing on rodents. So similar and at the same time, so different.

[@lohikarhu734]

@@benwoodrufffalconry Thanks Ben; we have a pair that nests in one of the church towers in our village...indeed, the German name for them is "Türm Falken" / "Tower Falcon"... We sometimes see them diving on some kind of prey right between the house in the village, and also in their hovering mode above the fields nearby...they are sure pretty!

[@jameswych8030]

How do I get my bird to stop baiting? 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

[@kristensorensen2219]

#176👍💖👏👏

[@barnabyandanthonysofficial1497]

j

[@geoffhirschi803]

none of your comments apply to chamber raised or eyass merlins

[@jacygreen9520]

Male merlin silver back.