Things you Should be told Before getting a Hawk

[@American-Jello]

I have zero desire to own a bird of prey. I know I am not equipped to properly care and house one. I just enjoy watching falconry content, and that's enough for me.

[@MercerFalconry]

Owning a bird isn’t for everyone but that doesn’t mean we can’t all still enjoy the birds!

[@RyanLolaNala]

Love this responsibility ❤ many people arent as responsible so thank you for thinking ahead 🙏

[@Dragon_master394]

I think I can handle what was said and I love all birds

[@Namib.desert.]

I’m glad I’m not the only one!

[@Tastedblood617]

I know I can’t now but I hope to be able to in the near future

[@lizardteep]

Another thing to consider is that no matter how comfortable or trusting a bird is with their falconer, they will never love you the way a dog does. Birds of prey are not affectionate, the best they do is allow us to be a part of their world. Falconers learn to enjoy the peaceful quiet moments when a hawk puts her foot up on the glove for the first time, or when she decides its safe to jump in her bathpan with you next to her. I think before getting a bird, we have to come to terms with the fact we are entering into a partnership with an animal who sees us as a useful and safe hunting partner, not as her master and not someone she wants to snuggle up on the couch with.

[@MercerFalconry]

That’s a really excellent point, thank you for adding it!

[@dha2323]

What if i imprint a bird from the day they hatch ?

[@imcs1989]

​@@dha2323 i m curious too!

[@pocketoniofficial]

As a parrot owner getting into falconry, this is big to hear

[@PlayusTheGreat]

This is extremely important, when I first wanted to get one it was on a whim, luckily I didn’t get one yet, and after that I learned how time consuming and expensive it can be, thanks for doing this Dan

[@MercerFalconry]

Your very welcome, and thank you for the comment, do you think you will get a bird in the future?

[@PlayusTheGreat]

@@MercerFalconry hopefully

[@MercerFalconry]

What would you like to get?

[@PlayusTheGreat]

@@MercerFalconry I’m hoping to get a Harris hawk or maybe a kestrel in the future

[@MercerFalconry]

Both good options but very different to each other in terms of training and flying style

[@PettieBettie]

Here from Kurtis, Drew & Danny. 🦅

[@MercerFalconry]

Nice to have you here!

[@angelicfrogsss87]

ayyyy me too!!

[@angelicfrogsss87]

kurtis conner, drew gooden and danny gonzalez are big fans of you keep doing hawk things

[@Karma_nt]

Thank you for the video, I've been getting really interested in falconry and did not know what it really involved this helped me determine that I should wait to get into the sport but I still want to try down the line

[@ravageawakened]

My biggest hurtle would be the time factors. I'm a single dad and work 12 hr days 4 days a week. This video has shown me that I need to wait a bit longer before I take this journey. Thank you.

[@borb57JC]

Very well explained 👍. I would love to fly a bird of prey but I don't think I could give one the full filled life they would deserve. Thank you !

[@broagie]

this video is about to get a bit of traffic lol

[@MercerFalconry]

I was very confused when I first saw this comment but I have now seen the video!

[@broagie]

​@@MercerFalconry haha i'm glad you took it well

[@-karimhassan5356]

Honestly Dan you've covered most of the aspects and answered all the questions I have been trying to find answers for, for a long time! Your video was much easier, quicker and comprehensive than any other video discussing the same topic

[@MercerFalconry]

Thank you I really appreciate that and I’m very happy it helped!

[@freebirdofreason1994]

Very good , I do enjoy listening to you and your advice, always helpful and thought provoking, my pet hate is that Harris hawks are seen as a beginners birds , they are then often passed on, or need rescuing, because the mind set is , I need something more advanced. I think people should get a bird and stick with it and get the best out of it, build a relationship that gives your Falcon or hawk the best life. My self I find having a bird of prey is an honour, but hard work flying 7 days a week. Your video is so needed, thanks for sharing.

[@MercerFalconry]

A great point, as much love as we might have for our birds it’s not really reciprocated

[@TheCulturalCompass]

I see it as an honor too and also a responsibility

[@ApexPrimals]

Wow I would kill to have a Harris hawk. Falconry or even hunting in general is illegal in my country. Hate it here so much.

[@czserad]

@@ApexPrimals what country?

[@greggraybadger2966]

One element you omitted is the need to have an accessible place to hunt with appropriate prey. Your choice of the species of your bird of prey should be ruled by the species of available prey.

[@tryptamineodyssey]

I have great admiration and respect for reputable falconers. They have dedication and patience. I love these beautiful animals and one day when I’m a lot older with more time and experience I hope to train one

[@rawanmalek754]

Thank you for advising what goes on behind the scenes, Ive got young kids and I travel so I will have to take it up when theyre all grown up and I have more time. Without this video I wouldn't have realised this and would probably have fallen into some major headache and not given the hawk its proper rights! everyone needs to see this video first before they even start watching the others

[@MercerFalconry]

Thank you I appreciate that and I’m happy it shed some light and helped you out!

[@rickbageard1147]

Thanks for you blunt honesty. Your information very insightful for someone considering this sport .

[@cxk7127]

Just subbed to your channel and loving the content. I absolutely LOVE birds of prey and am researching falconry. While I think they are amazing creatures (and partners if you choose to hunt with them) and looking for associate with local falconers.. I realize that currently, I lack the time these birds and the lifestyle needs. Thanks for the great content!!

[@MercerFalconry]

Thanks for subscribing, I appreciate it and I’m happy you like the videos. Birds of prey really are a huge commitment so it’s great to do as much research before getting into it!

[@pivana]

Oh my goodness, same!

[@falconrywithkai]

I am in the US so its a bit different from there. Fully agree with all of this. Holidays and Vacations arent a thing when you own hawks or falcons. I only keep one at a time and holy cow, TIME TIME TIME TIME! Super important. SO Expensive too! The food is the cheapest part of the project I think. Most expensive parts are definitely vet care and building the Mew and Telemetry.

[@keithlewis8238]

Can you estimate on how much time per day? And besides flying and hunting during the season what time consuming things are we talking about?

[@falconrywithkai]

@keithlewis8238 I personally spend about 2-3 hours out of every day just doing daily cleaning tasks, feeding, weighing food for upcoming days, upkeep on various training types or exposures or spending time in the wethering yard with bird. This would be on the off season. Lately my timeframe has been about from 8:30 till 10:30am or later. Some days it's more than others. Hawks arent an animal you should be just tossing food to and leaving alone necessarily, it's constant upkeep to keep the level of training in place that you did earlier during manning. It takes usual exposure to keep them trained to things well. One example of the exposure is if you stop hooding your bird for a while or box training in the off season you will likely have to retrain them to box or hood because they will decide it's scary again or not do it as easily, which required retraining. Stuff that a simple short once a week session in the off season would fix.

[@keithlewis8238]

@@falconrywithkai thanks for the response, that’s good to know. I definitely have too many irons in the fire to get into another activity

[@ashleighsamantha891]

Danny, Drew and Kurtis send anyone else here 😂

[@MercerFalconry]

They sent a few of you!

[@MGEE-em9qj]

Good Video! The hardest Thing is when Your Bird is sick and you notice it to late. My first Falcon Died after an Infection, my second escaped without Telemetry, but I got Her back by a Friend of my. I can tell You, that are very hard Days!

[@MercerFalconry]

Thanks, makes it very difficult when the birds try so hard to show any illnesses

[@alf9638]

NINE birds of prey - kudos to you for managing those birds. Beautiful creatures.

[@Kestrel2357]

I stumbled upon your video and channel as, I may have an opportunity to assist a falconer so I look for all the basic things I should know from various sources. Thank you for your explanation.

[@Stack4Freedom]

My uncle has been a Faulkner for 17 years, it’s not as hard for him since him and his wife a both passionate about the birds and split the responsibility. I was looking into it and wanted to do get one but he told me I absolutely should not, he told me the bird doesn’t build its life around me I must build my life around it. Got budgies instead. Much better choice.

[@AlleghenyHomestead]

Great information! Thank you! Feeling certain now I'm ready and excited to pursue falconry!

[@MercerFalconry]

Great, good luck on your new journey!😁

[@waterdragon7562]

Very well put together video. Thank you for the information.

[@trevorgorman4844]

Super Video. Packed with bullet point information, straight to the point. Useful and informative for anyone who has never owned a Raptor. Saying that, is it true that very few falconers own a single bird ?

[@MercerFalconry]

I think most own a single bird it many I know do own several, once you get that second bird it’s a slippery slope to a 3rd

[@andrewturner7072]

Thanks for the tips and putting it in a understanding for everyone.

[@MercerFalconry]

Thank you! 😁

[@joelhall5124]

I love watching all these videos across KZbin. Although I'm yet to get a bird (still learning and booking training courses and trying to shadow falconers - easier said than done, the latter) but it's something I'm very keen to add to my repertoire. Especially with the laws constantly changing around shooting.

[@petercollins7873]

Thanks!

[@hilton8830]

I don't agree with all your purpose to own such a beautiful bird but a love this animals no nonsense attitude. This animal when in flight seems to be surveying its kingdom, and it shouts it from it's thrown up in the sky in a loud piercing way; hey you down there, look at me, and everyone thing stops for a fraction of a second to acknowledge it's presence. We all look up for just one second. Don't we? Keep up the good work I like the way you set upon your hobby.

[@MercerFalconry]

My purpose for owning them isn’t just a hobby, it’s my full time job to educate the public about birds of prey and conservation to help protect them in the wild, the first step to conservation is education!

[@Andreas.Miliarakis]

Congratulations! Very useful video

[@MercerFalconry]

Thank you I appreciate that

[@dipbert]

Important video will pass onto others

[@improbablewargaming]

In the State our apprentice ship program (2 year) really help with those kind of problem

[@moritzlaszlo3115]

Very interesting video! Maybe you can do a follow up video? I know it can vary from country to country but can you talk about the rules and laws around falconry? In Germany for example you have to have a hunting license and an extra falconry license. Also you need a permit to own a bird and a license to build an specific aivory every different species of bird. Also you need a permit to hunt (it true Germans love rules). You have to put in a lot of time and money before you even get close to owning a bird. Since I was a child I've been dreaming about becoming a falconer but it is really difficult (at least here) because you need a lot of space for your bird, all the licenses etc.

[@MercerFalconry]

What would you like included in a follow up video?

[@gpaolino]

Incredible. Nothing but heart! Well done young man. What does it mean that I still want to do it?

[@EvilRace]

Thanks for this very useful video. I am 43 years old and always like birds of pray since I saw first exhibition when I was about 8 years old. Now I feel I have the conditions to have bird of pray: 2800 m2 of garden with trees, job with telework, not very rainy or cold city (Madrid), chickens, vet on my street... even an industrial sewing machine and leather for accesories, iron and welder for perchs... But still I am giving me some months-years to decide. I believe than as my children grow, it will be a good way to get them far from tablets and videogames. So do you think I'm ready? By the way, I already have a gps for pets of 56 grams and 28x20x48 cm, do you think it will be suitable for a Harris instead of a radio tracker? Thanks!

[@waynekieft4952]

Falconry is a way of life, and also the best part of your life!😊

[@andycampsall3832]

Love your videos Dan I’m learning so much. I want to start buying all the equipment I need for when I purchase my hawk can you recommend a company where I can buy the furniture I need and also falconers bags thanks mate 👍

[@MercerFalconry]

Definitely take a look at westweald falconry for beginners stuff!

[@andycampsall3832]

@@MercerFalconry thanks for taking the time to reply 👍

[@machinegunlament]

There are so many videos like this, and while yes this is helpful, they don't give you any information on how to go further and actually learn the stuff you need to know, and how to actually start.

[@DepthUnchecked]

Damnnn bro, 9 birds? Save some for the rest of us 😅

[@MercerFalconry]

It’s now 11!!!

[@jllbruce11]

Absolutely brilliant and thank you 👍

[@seancurley3009]

Very well done.

[@kuepasa]

Very good video! It's very odd that homesteading and farming has become trendy and is basically working your hardest physically and emotionally from sunrise to sunset. holiday? Ha! 😅

[@thejamnasium6447]

I'll likely never personally do it, but I can't think of many things cooler than falconry

[@MercerFalconry]

Neither can I!!!

[@HerbysHanz]

Hello. Pigeon flying is fun because the birds of prey r always around. Thnks.

[@rebeccacurran8365]

What an extremely thorough video! But how do you exercise your nine birds of prey every day?

[@MercerFalconry]

My business is my full time job so I am with them all day every day

[@ddraigmon6423]

Really enjoy the videos .. Will you have another channel regarding entering a long wing .

[@MeCooper]

... I think youtube is trying to convince me to get a bird of prey because I watched a video about one... I'm glad this came up in my feed, It's really nice to get a bit grounded hahaha Edit: It really sounds like a wonderful lifestyle though.

[@charlesthomas-w4y]

Excellent job, way better than I could have explained it, it's like a fun job with no pay 😂😊

[@TheCulturalCompass]

This has been a Public Service Announcement. Falconry is a lifestyle

[@terrychandler2042]

Really decent video well done . Described as a her all the way threw . A lot of have males

[@MercerFalconry]

Hawks are always referred to as female

[@blackberrycatcrafts]

Same with boats, and even cars! I don’t know if any other animals are treated in the same way, but unless you’re talking about a specific bird (and it’s a male) it’ll be ‘she’ and ‘her’.

[@BeneathTheGold]

Great video and all info is very accurate which is not always the case with youtube videos. If theres any USA and North American based viewers interested in falconry or interested in getting into falconry you should check out Ben Woodruffs youtube channel. It’s a fantastic channel and theres many differences in how falconry is done in the UK and europe and how its done in the US and North America . Theres different laws, different prey and different methods. Ben covers all these things and aswell as doing videos on falconry equipment, laws, methods etc he also does spotlights on certain species and how they live in the wild and how that relates to keeping said species in falconry . He also talks about species that are rare or even non existent in the world of falconry. I can’t recommend his videos highly enough.

[@raven8694]

I am friends with a girl who has started teaching me about falconry. she does shows at some of the medieval faires i go to and i really want to learn everything i can about falconry. this video has helped so much! but i'm sill open to finding more resources about it and if anyone has any suggestions that would be wonderful!

[@mooseoncracc4892]

Finally had an interest in something other than playing games all day discouraged 👍

[@meagain2236]

I was hoping to do something with falconry for my SAE (supervised agricultural experience). It is for school but I think it would be fun. Watching this video made me rethink what i may want to do. Do you think that it is a good or reasonable idea?

[@marinoserafini8036]

Good art

[@DGraham-i3y]

I bet you miss Prince Philip and his great love for falconry. I think he and I might have been alike in many ways.

[@rajarizwanakhtar8401]

I totally agree

[@MercerFalconry]

Thank you!

[@Eli222_]

Please dont kill my falcon

[@MercerFalconry]

I will find you

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

I just want to know,....can I train Raptor Harpies or Golden Eagles,...to hunt Karen

[@MercerFalconry]

I guess you could train one to a lure then attach that lure to any Karen you want rid of, but I wouldn’t recommend trying this 😂

[@alexandarvoncarsteinzarovi3723]

@@MercerFalconry Yes, but I can blame it on natural selection, mother nature removing unwanted pest,...come on dude work with me, it would take several PhD and decades to train orcas, bears, wolves or crocs for this, raptors hade edge thanks to flight

[@MercerFalconry]

But they can be very lazy and won’t fly unless they have something to gain!

[@JumpdeArt]

Thank you.

[@MercerFalconry]

Your welcome 😁

[@michaelgerowjr.1299]

I am from Arizona, U.S.A.

[@AquilaCrotalusEsox]

I want to know, do American Falconers have to donate feathers to the American Raptor Repository?

[@BeneathTheGold]

When listing costs you missed one of the most expensive necessities- telemetry

[@gw6667]

£500? I just took my cat to the vet. He's 18 and has advanced kidney disease. It's relatively easy to maintain but just the visit and routine blood work was $500, like wtf? When did routine vet visits start costing so much?

[@MercerFalconry]

It’s crazy isn’t it! I don’t often complain about vet prices as I know a lot of vets, it’s expensive to run a practice, all the drugs and equipment cost a lot of money for them to buy in, and they all have 5 years worth of student debt to pay off!

[@gw6667]

@@MercerFalconry Good content, keep it up 👍 Cheers from US

[@jacksonbrown2827]

What are the benefits of owning one or 7 of these birds!? You didn't mention any🤔 i just want 1 for my backyard squirrels blkbirds n rabbits.

[@TheGabsterRadioPodcast]

"If you want to become a hunting falconer" (Dispatching Prey topic) What qualifies for you as non-hunting falconry? educational displays with owls for example? I'm curious since that's the only point that keeps me off from pursuing falconry more deeply, and falconers sometimes are very opinionated on the topic. "ah this or that is not really falconry" "there's no room for you in falconry if you don't like hunting" "Falconry IS hunting" "Owls aren't pets" etc etc.

[@brometheusthefirstbro4302]

I will do what i need to have peregrine. I have never had a pet of my own aside from when i lived with my gf and helped take care of her 3 cats and one dog but i want so badly to have a peregrine as my pet for a good number of years then when they have to move on either in death or in being set free.

[@xplicit408]

Dude I could so do this, I don’t even celebrate holidays anymore 😂

[@MenacingBanjo]

Sorry that you got roasted so hard by Kurtis, Drew, and Danny. Those guys were brutal.

[@MercerFalconry]

I think they where quite nice, very cool to be featured on a much bigger channel!

[@Whydoyallkeeptalkingtokids]

When did they roast him? They weren’t even being mean lol

[@MenacingBanjo]

@@Whydoyallkeeptalkingtokids I was being a bit hyperbolic. Even though really they were just having fun with the idea of falconry in general, they kept apologizing for roasting the guy.

[@MercerFalconry]

I may repay them by making a video reacting to them reacting to me, falconryception 😂

[@DepthUnchecked]

@@MercerFalconryDO IT

[@marcusm9367]

Hello my name is Marcus, I am very interested in starting. I'm 45, and have a career that will allow me to seriously get into it.

[@MercerFalconry]

Great, I hope you have lots of fun on your exciting new journey! 😁

[@pandaa3876]

5:22 find the dog

[@federicofazzio2393]

Buen video

[@JosephAlexanderR.]

This is the 5th one youtube recommended me lol

[@nrthlincspyro8622]

My hawk got electrocuted through her telemitry Spent 2 years everyday with her feel so lost with out her Lack of concentration By me and her naturally following on to a higher hunting point / perch Was out with my lad as well 😞

[@MercerFalconry]

Oh that’s awful, I am sorry for your loss, falconry can be incredibly tough sometimes

[@nrthlincspyro8622]

@@MercerFalconry tough lesson to learn but that's part of working with animals I am on the look out for another Keep up the good work some very intresting content you cover 👍

[@clutchitup8565]

That leash on it kind of sucks though

[@haegi22]

I always wanted a pet I can spent really much time with and I don't wan't to get married anyway so maybe I will get one in the future

[@trevorking-xh2nv]

I rescued a injured older hawk today

[@elijahwilliams1425]

Why is it that you keep saying “her” and “she”…are the birds of prey for falconry all female?

[@KillerPojo12]

a trained bird sounds great to me.

[@onedee81]

I have an issue which I have no idea how to solve it, I was given a changeable hawk eagle from my friend to look after for a week and sadly I had a call from his wife saying he was admitted to the hospital and he passed away, (positive COVID) I was shocked. His wife told me to look after the bird. I have no experience the bird was 4 month old when he gave me now it's two years. I need your advice or tips so that I can look after the in a proper way.

[@onedee81]

Sorry I'm not good at English still learning.

[@MercerFalconry]

You really need to find a falconer local to yourself who can help you, search on Google maps for falconry centres near you and if there are none try searching on Facebook or Google for a local falconry association and contact them

[@penguinclips9551]

👍

[@charlesperkinsjr2]

Hawks in zoos do get to go out flying everyday

[@federicofazzio2393]

Las rapases no son fasiles y llevan tiempo,plata y trabajo .

[@MercerFalconry]

Sorry I only speak English

[@cxk7127]

@@MercerFalconry Rough translation: Rapases are not lazy and they take time, money and work.

[@MercerFalconry]

Oh thank you

[@zackeryshackelford3864]

They seem a bit more hands on than chickens

[@a.o.8527]

I eat hawks. They taste good.

[@WingsOfAzazel]

First and foremost... raptors are NOT PETS. they're wild birds that, for a time, enter a partnership .

[@topazchicken6414]

im in australia so i have no choice, our laws really suck.

[@hammothw4814]

why does he keep saying 'hog' ? hawk has a 'k' at the end, not a 'g'

[@thebushcraftfalconer8584]

Hi. Just found your channel. Fantastic job your doing in explaining falconry. However.... A statement made during this video can be taken in a different view. You said 'If you can't deal with stressful situations, and can't compose yourself. And work rationley & quickly. Then you shouldn't have a bird of prey,'. Well I do beg the different. As a falconer myself and an ex servicemen. I use falconry as a form of therapy for P.T.S.D IVE also helped other ex-servicemen/women through their problems whilst having my own too. Falconry works. So the statement although true in 'Some cases ' but not all. I'd appreciate your feedback. And if you are interested how we operate. Please contact me.

[@zzzzzz-zn1yw]

I want to earn a falconers license so i can become an Owl rehabilitation volunteer I want to help hurt owls get better