Falconry: Hooding vs Hood training

In this falconry video I teach the difference between hooding and hood training a falconry bird. Most falconers get through their falconry experience just fine with simply hooding their bird. But hood training is a far better way to build trust and respect the bird you train. This falconry video discusses the principles as well as the steps involved to properly hood train a bird.
This video is a remake of a video I produced several years ago. This version is more concise and has better production values.
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[@clarencelupo7069]

Thanks Ben, that was an informative video.

[@lanekobel6006]

In a future video could you maybe go over training techniques for specific prey? Examples being: How to get a Kestrel to try for birds, Goshawk for turkey vs. squirrel, Goldens for deer. Some of the niche hunting styles. I know many times it is up to the birds themselves what quarry they will take but I know you can train for specific prey or to entice your bird to take specific prey.

[@jasongustafson1824]

Good stuff Ben. Agreed that more effort at good hood relationships with a bird is helpful.

[@falconry.davesharpenatureboy]

Well worth a share; so I will!

[@sinabayatsarmadi8453]

Hi ben Thank u for all ur valuable video Im a big fan Could u please make a video for shy hood birds Im realy appreciative ur work on youtub ❤

[@malikbaratov2010]

Every time I watch a new video I learn something new. Never dissapoints. Thanks a lot Ben! 🦅👍

[@shoaibdevero]

A great effort Ben,thanks for expanding falconry

[@RaptorGirlkathy]

I love this, Ben--Thank you! Your steps really get the bird used to the hood!! I managed to hood a Gyrfalcon, first time out, but someone else was holding it! So it was cheating 🤣 We were treating it's wings with anti bug treatments and filing it's beak!! It was much calmer in a box, with the hood on. I agree that hood training is very valuable! Thanks, again!

[@WildlifeKh]

❤

[@nareeeely]

OMG!! Barely 15 minutes and now she wears the hood like a pro! After months of screaming whenever she sees the hood.

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

I think hooding is a lost art, especially here in the states. I think the invention of the "Giant Hood", just made falconers more lazy. I'm more of a traditionalist, leather hoods, leather hawking bags, leather jesses, leather bewits, leather leashes. That's just me.😎👍

[@matthew-ww6vs]

Hey I was curious what species would you recommend for hunting Canadian geese or if you believe a red tail could be safely trained to hunt them

[@benwoodrufffalconry]

I have done it with female red tails, Finnish goshawk, female Harris hawk, a big female peales peregrine, gyrs, and a male golden eagle. In all cases the key is to be able to get to them quickly. Geese are aggressive and the whole flock will attack your bird on the ground while it is binding to a goose. So the key is to hunt an isolated goose if possible, or to make sure you can get to your bird very quickly

[@JFEnterprize]

Think the trick with this is you gotta work at your birds pace as well not just your own. Don’t irritate the bird to hate or fear it pushing the subject too hard.

[@Muttsist]

I know that owls can't use hoods for obvious reasons so I won't ask. I do wonder though, what about hooding eagles? I know species and individuals vary but in general how easy/hard are eagles to hood train? I mentioned earlier that I want to specialize in owls and ambush falconry, but I'm not against having a do-it-all eagle for daytime pursuit falconry too. I didn't even think about moments where you might need to hood the bird in an emergency like if a dog is lunging at them. Speaking of dogs I've been settling on the idea of having a pair (mating, brothers, or sisters) of wirehaired vizslas for all-around falconry. While I'm on this topic, I saw your cat in the background. I have 3 adult cats. How do you manage training your cat and bird to avoid catastrophic failure? I know they need constant supervision but how did you manage the cats prey-drive? I remember in one of your videos you talked about the steps one should take to fly eagles properly. I don't quite remember the steps. I only remember Red Tail Hawk > some species of "true" hawk > then finally eagles. Is there a similar step by step process to work with owls? I know their psychology is different but I have next to no material to work with save for like two books dedicated to them by falconers and honorable mentions in a few others. Would the steps for owls be something like Barn Owl > Spotted or Great Horned Owl > Eagle-Owl? Sorry for all the questions. I would love to see a follow up video on hood training and hooding an eagle and managing their aggression level when in the field or in public. If you think there are any differences we should be aware of with eagles please let us know. I really appreciate your videos. They're the catalyst for all of my self-study in-between work right now. Cheers from GA.

[@shereesmazik5030]

Please name the books . Thank you .

[@crowhawk6626]

There are good reasons owls are not often used in falconry. Saying that, I once knew someone who flew a Eurasian eagle owl at rabbits, with a lamp at night. I also knew someone who did the same with a Harris hawk but with a lot more success. My advice, for what it's worth, would be to stay away from owls & choose a hawk that is suited to the land & quarry you have available. On dogs, I would only say that training two dogs simultaneously is 10× more difficult than traing one dog to an acceptable standard.

[@0n752]

How are you, my friend? How can I contact you because I need information about eagles, if possible?

[@raysirchang]

Hi, any experience with birds biting their own legs while wearing a hood?

[@massmanute]

You're wearing a different shirt today.