Falconry: Can owls be used in falconry?

In this falconry video I briefly discuss the pros and cons of using owls in falconry. I discuss what a falconer should do before acquiring and training an owl, and what is needed to have success hunting with an owl. I also explain why many falconers shy away from using owls.
Here are links to some of my other videos discussing owls:
• Falconry: Rethinking m...
• How to make jesses for...
• Owls: Can they really ...
• Falconry: Hunting with...
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[@Toothandtalon]

When I was first starting to research falconry I contacted a falconer and said. “Hey I want to do falconry but I want an owl and want to do education”. He basically said “yah this sport probably isn’t what you are looking for. Owls aren’t really used. Hawks and falcons are way more reliably used and hunting with them is a requirement” I didn’t even know that falconry ment hunting with your bird and I instantly thought “that is way cooler that what I was originally thinking!!” Anyway he let me join him on a hunt a week later and within 6 months I got my first redtail and hunted with him like crazy. 4 years later I still hunt with my birds 5-6 times a week and I’m absolutely addicted. Falconers, please be nice to those who start by saying they want an owl. Take them on a hunt and their perspective on falconry is likely to change.

[@frog1204]

I’ll admit I do tend to write off people who immediately bring up owls. I appreciate your perspective and will try to give those people more of an opportunity to see why hawks and falcons are a more practical choice for at least the first few years of falconry.

[@TerraOblivion27]

Perfectly described. Barn Owls are probably one of my favorite animals. I was ignorant and did not know that they are not used in falconry. When I was learning to fly helicopters, I got laughed at for my minimal knowledge of aerodynamics. I was ignorant, not foolish. All it takes is a person like you said to take you underwing.

[@TerraOblivion27]

@@frog1204Hey there. As I replied to the other person, us who are not falconers are just ignorant. We think owls are wicked, but just don’t know that they are not used. Like using a rifle to hunt ducks is a poor choice compared to a shotgun. Just takes a nudge in the right direction.

[@girlbuu9403]

Honestly that people don't realize falconry is a form of hunting says a lot about modern people. I've heard them say cats are just pets and useless too, when they definitely had value as pest control historically. Same with smaller dog breeds- have you ever seen a yorkshire terrier go after rats or rabbits? They're little murder machines. I wonder if in the future they'll start saying similar about horses and larger dog breeds.

[@eleeshafisher3998]

I’m actually looking at a saw whet or eastern screech. Both VERY tiny species. Not traditional by any means BUT I still plan to hunt them. A friends barn (she’s also a falconer) has a mouse problem and I have deer mice that come in to my basement every fall and winter so it would be indoor barn hunting, which would practically eliminate the biggest concern falconers have expressed with those species, which is predation by larger owl species, but we also do educational presentations at a local small zoo which I would like to also have an owl to show and talk about. I also have a red tailed hawk and our group has red tails, a hybrid falcon, and multiple Harris hawks, and all 3 of us are interested in a smaller owl species, but I work 3rd shift so I’m often up at night anyways. I’ve had falconers try to steer me away or tell me that if I want to do an owl that larger species (one specifically suggests a barred owl would be best, mainly saying they’re super easy and docile) but I also have to work around what my husband will let me get (size wise) and until we can get some acreage, I can only have a second bird if it’s a micro type species. Either way though I’m more than willing to do the work for them.

[@finngrace8727]

Thanks for the video, you don’t see many people taking owls in falconry seriously:))

[@RaptorGirlkathy]

Thank you, Ben!!..As always, Great info!!

[@tyresesp9696]

Ben, please please please do a video on "nano hawking" Using niche species like Shrikes!

[@andrejdragic446]

In our place in croatia people hunt with barn owl egle owl they hunt rabbit small birds an others Because there is no big choseo of hakws but there are so many owls

[@BlackRedneck1]

This is excellent information! Thank you!! 🫡

[@Mikheno]

Had a rehab Pygmy Owl once that I raised until it could fly properly. Absolute pet. It loved sitting on my wife's shoulder in the morning as she was having her coffee. We hated to turn it loose as he seemed too tame to make it in the wild. I went back to check on him for a few days until he left town.

[@alkonost8459]

Way back in old times here in Europe, when list of birds for falconry were limited to only local species. There was common to see people train Bubo bubo females on fox same way as its done with Goldens nowadays. Yet its rare to see now🤔

[@rthfalconer1306]

The only falconers I've talked to who have had success with owls all hunted at night -- can be a real pain

[@brianheaton5521]

When people tell me something can be done but it's not recommended makes me want to do it more.

[@aaronbrown3163]

I'm curious if part of the issue that really put off falconry with Owls is that numerous other birds effectively jump most owl species if they see them during the day like crows and other Raptors. So unless your using a more day time based species then every time you try to hunt the Owls at risk of being attacked.

[@miguelperes5317]

Hey Ben, hope this message finds you well. Would you be willing to have a quick video chat to discuss the topic? I have a GHO that i have been flying with some success and would love to talk with you and share the knowledge I get from it to other Portuguese speakers.

[@francoisquintal2784]

Falconry is hunting. Many newcomers do not understand this... It is already complex to have success with common speicies we use, even on an accessible and aboundant prey that fits your bird... Owls are wired different and are harder to hunt with. To not start with one is a good advice.

[@whaaaaaaap]

I’m just new to anything but dogs and I read Goldrn Eagles aren’t good to start with. So I figured an Owl might be better. Also, I do want to hunt with it on the homestead at night just gotta wear nods.

[@ethanovenell2173]

I actually raised a white face scops owl like the one in the picture.

[@raphlvlogs271]

owl falconry would have been much more successful if humans were a primarily nocturnal species

[@erikm8372]

Could be useful for nocturnal pest control as many rodents come out at night, too. In many cities, there are now groups that get together with their ferrets & terrier dog breeds, & they roam the streets at night to kill rats & mice. City-approved. And it’s using the animals for what they were actually bred for or intended to do in nature. There are even people that train certain species of monitor lizards to do this.. but I could see owls doing something similar at nighttime, or utilize the more diurnal species

[@lanekobel6006]

What is your intro song???

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

It is called “silver lakes”

[@domesdaylines]

Do you think it would be possible for me to contact a falconer to let me tag along for a hunt, if I am not actually intending to become a falconer? I've been a birder for years and I love raptors, and I casually follow falconry-related things, and I would love to just see how it is done.

[@eleeshafisher3998]

It is absolutely possible. I’m in Wisconsin but depending where you are, look into your local falconry club (most states have one, like we have Wisconsin falconers association or Illinois is the Great Lakes falconers association, I attend both) and the meets are a FANTASTIC way to meet local falconers and talk to some about finding a sponsor and most meets are days of group hunting so you can tag along with one. I just had one this past weekend for the local and the glfa meet is next weekend, and our group took out a prospective future apprentice and he loved the entire day of hunting the birds. Otherwise there’s most likely Facebook groups for your state that you can ask around. Regional groups you can ask around too but you don’t always get the most responses.

[@robertfaucher3750]

Burrowing owl for falconry? Also would like to see a video on caracara

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

I have done burrowing owls. They are very much like training a kestrel mentally. Definitely recommend them.

[@robertfaucher3750]

@@benwoodrufffalconry that's lovely to hear since I like kestrels too! I wonder if I'd be able to hunt with one since I live in the Eastern US and if I remember they are only native to the West

[@tarours]

I was just thinking about that. I think they could hunt well

[@dillpickle7199]

What do you think about using a short eared owl for falconry

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

Hmmmmmmm good question. A lot of their hunting style is similar to a harrier which doesn’t lend itself well to falconry (though I have hunter with northern harriers, and New Zealand falconers have mastered hunting with swamp harriers) But on the other hand, they are often diurnal which lends itself better mentally to regular falconry techniques. They are also FAR smaller by weight and strength than they seem. They come across as a medium to large owl in appearance, but they are actually more of a small owl that is extra tall and poofy. I think if you targeted prey smaller than you might think for their size, they could definitely be worth a try. They can be EXTREMELY agile, but aren’t as fast or as strong in flight as other owls. So really figuring out an opportunistic hunting style would be key. But definitely would be fun to try.

[@TheLilRocker2005]

This doesn't change my opinion! I would definitely want to be a falconer using an owl! And I would definitely be willing to learn the ins and outs of hunting with them! I would also love to go out at night. I love doing stuff outside the box, and owls are one of my favorite birds in general

[@shannonspage9360]

Yellow eyed owls do actually prefer to hunt in the day (diurnal) but being an owl they have also have swesome night vision. They will hunt 24/7 if they have a nest full of demanding chicks. The dark yellow/orange eyed owls prefer dawn and dusk (crepuscular) but will also hunt at night. The black eyed owls are almost exclusively night (nocturnal) hunting unless there is a self starvation situation.

[@LenonT-f8e]

Can you speak of other birds of prey that are not good for falconry to.

[@tarours]

Owls are forbidden to hunt with in France except for Eurasian eagle owls, and it's a really recent add to the list ! But I don't think that they make the best specie to hunt with - our way that is- but maybe burrowing owls or other more diurnal owls would do wonder. Especially the ones that catches birds.

[@massmanute]

Are you from France? How many falconers are there in France. (I have a lot of in-laws living in France.)

[@tarours]

@@massmanute Hello. I think there are few like 200 or 300

[@mixedup72]

Speaking of owls, There's a "falconer" from Utah that has a KZbin channel. Instead of hunting with her owl she uses it to get views by dressing the owl up in stupid costumes and parading around with it like the owl is a parrot.

[@Toothandtalon]

Ah the Me and My Owl chick. She drives me crazy. I once asked in a live video of hers “what do you hunt with your owl?” He reply was “Oh we don’t hunt, we are animal lovers” 🤦‍♂️

[@mixedup72]

@@ToothandtalonYep that’s her. I think owls should be used for falconry if you are actually hunting with them. I’ve seen and heard some success stories about hunting with owls. But those are rare and far between.

[@markdanielczyk944]

@@Toothandtalon The yuppie falconer, she drives me crazy also!

[@tudodivino]

Hi Hi

[@tudodivino]

1:02

[@Phuskooz]

OWLCONRY!!

[@lahsmannn1347]

Can kites be used for falconry?. Anyone ever tried?

[@marystohr4870]

Do you do live educational programs and how can I contact you privately pls

[@peregrinesmith1117]

Better question is why would you want to fly an owl.

[@yvonnerogers6429]

😎

[@Porkleaker]

people hate me for my owl shot.

[@sprk11]

I first talked to Frank Beebe about his opinion on owls. He said he actually flew a snowie back in the seventies. He said it was an awesome bird but a liar. You couldn't work on attitude , you had to use keel and weight. You would from attitude it was starving one day and fats as #$%^ the next and be the exact same weight. He actually advised me to look at northern hawk owls if I could get one. We have wild capture in BC but identifying the age of a passage bird is quite difficult and the only time I've seen them here are days I didn't have a trap with me. I haven't given up on the thought but it is back burner at the moment

[@Sinkthefrog]

I am a micro falconer and have been looking at small owls lately. My main issue is that I would want a passage and don’t really want to travel to other states to trap. In WA, we may only take a couple larger species.

[@JaredMichaelSpalding-nh8te]

You'd be better off buying one anyways, trapping out of state is a huge headache.

[@iconicsyn3095]

I would love to have a bat falcon but I’m not sure it would survive in North Carolina

[@eleeshafisher3998]

Washington should have western screech, which are a very small species…I’m told they’re pretty easy and easy to trap. They can become super docile. So long as you’re not an apprentice I think you should be able to work with whatever species minus a select few like eagles, unless Washington is even more strict than most states I’ve looked into. Also, barn owls are a lot smaller than most people think they are as well

[@frog1204]

why not captive bred? Plenty available to us - I’ve seen burrowing owls for sale this year and if you asked around and checked the education classifieds too I bet you could find smaller species.

[@taylorrathbone5638]

Owls make for terrible pets. They require constant maintenance and stimulation, and often imprint on whoever is caring for them. Saying things like "maybe eventually try out an owl to see if you like it" is so incredibly harmful to owls. They're not some fashion trend that you pick up and put down wherever. They're a massive commitment and deserve the utmost respect, and should only be cared for by professionals specifically trained to do so. I was hoping you would at least make some kind of disclaimer like that on your video. Very sad that wasn't the case. I'm sure most people that watch this are probably fully aware of everything said, but you shouldn't make that assumption. Because this is what leads to people buying and abandoning animals en masse

[@eleeshafisher3998]

But they’re not pets. He’s not talking about owls as pets at all, he’s talking about owls as FALCONRY birds. Aka hunting partners. And yes, us falconers ARE trained the care and maintenance of raptors. It’s part of our 2 year MINIMUM apprenticeship. Many species of falconry birds that are a native species and trapped, are done so with the intent of a short term partnership, anywhere from 6 months to 3 years, but on occasion we keep them longer. I personally prefer flying and hunting with a red tailed hawk and I’ve always released at the end of the season in spring and started new each year, but I adore my bird this year so much that I want to keep her and hunt her NEXT season as well, possibly longer if she retains her incredible disposition. Would I like to try my hand at an owl species? Absolutely! Does that mean if I try and find the species isn’t a good fit I’m going to ‘abandon’ it? No. Because it’s not a pet, and it would be released to live its natural life without my care and extra protections. And while yes, some birds ARE purchased, many MANY falconry birds are wild trapped and trained, and can be released at ANY time. They make the decision to return to us each time we go out to hunt.