Here we offer beginner falconry courses. We offer advanced falconry training for more advanced falconers. You can be part of falconry workshops designed to give you the tools you need to improve your career. Get involved with bird of prey handling to help you prapare. We are offering bird of prey experience days to help tailor your learning. Join falconry classes for all ages so you can gain the skills you need to improve your knowledge. Learn falconry skills which will help you better understand and manage a bird of prey. Falconry apprenticeship programs offered at low prices, available to everyone. Be a part of helping bird of prey conservation through unique oppurtunities in learning. Falconry certification courses recognised by an independent body to improve your learning. These are unique wildlife courses available in the UK. Be a part of hands-on falconry training offered by expert falconers. Improve your learning by signing up to educational falconry experiences tailor-made for you. We are offering bird of prey rehabilitation courses so you can improve your career in the animal industry. Get experience in falconry and wildlife management through our unique learning oppurtunities. You are a part of a community of falconry enthusiasts, all willing to help you learn. Valuable falconry bird of prey techniques only available through falconry course. We offer exciting falconry training for beginners improving your future career prospects. Be a part of interactive falconry experiences brought to you with the use of video learning aides. We are just like other local falconry schools with an online learning element. If you’re interested Write to Dan Mercer for more course information.

Falconry FAQs & Tips – UK Beginner’s Questions Answered

Falconry FAQs & Tips

Falconry FAQs & Tips – How long does it take to train a falconry bird?

Falconry FAQs & Tips – There’s no fixed timeline, every bird is unique. Small hawks (kestrels, falcons) often fly to the fist within a couple of weeks of daily training. Larger birds (e.g. eagles) take longer due to flight power and muscle building. A good rule is: short consistent sessions beat sporadic marathon sessions. Aim for 20 – 30 minutes of focused work each day.

Keep a training log: note weights and flight lengths. With patience, many hawks will reliably fly to the glove or lure in a few weeks, and begin hunting by a few months. Remember to always fly into the wind and never rush a bird beyond its comfort.


Do I need a licence to keep a bird of prey?

No general falconry licence is required in the UK. Simply owning a legally-bred hawk (captive-bred, ringed) is enough. The paperwork you do need depends on the species: common falconry birds like Harris’s hawks and domesticated buzzards require nothing more than the breeder’s ring. More protected birds (peregrines, merlins, eagles, etc.) must be registered with Defra/APHA. If you stick to popular beginner species, you probably won’t need extra permits.

Just ensure every bird you keep is properly ringed (or microchipped) as required by UK law. Falconry FAQs & Tips.


How do I find land to fly on?

Permission is key. Most UK land is privately owned, so you’ll need the owner’s OK before any free flight. Start local: talk to farmers, gamekeepers and shoot managers. Explain you’re a licensed falconer (with insurance) and offer value, falconry can help control pests like rabbits or crows. Often a farmer will let you fly if you agree not to hunt on their game (flushing foxes or vermin is usually fine). Farming communities (e.g. local shooting syndicates) are often the most open.

Persistence and respect go a long way. Always carry written permission and public liability insurance (farmers often ask about it).

If you join a falconry club or BFC branch, senior members may even share their flying fields.


What is the best falconry course for beginners?

Falconry FAQs & Tips – That depends on your needs. Our 5-Day course at FalconryCourse.co.uk is very comprehensive, perfect if you can spend a week fully immersed. We focus on UK regulations, one-to-one instruction, and real free-flight. If you prefer a shorter taster, look for 2 – 3 day introductions at local hawk centres (though we don’t list other businesses here). If you need flexibility, online courses (like Raptor Awards) cover theory at home.

When choosing, check that any course is affiliated with the Raptor Awards scheme or national falconry bodies. Regardless of length, the best course is the one that gets actual birds in your hands under expert supervision.


Ready to Launch Your Falconry Adventure?

Becoming a UK falconer is a challenging but thrilling journey. You’ll start by learning the rules (courses, books, club guidance), securing permissions (birds and land), and slowly building skills with a well-bred hawk. Your path may begin with a structured course, followed by apprenticeship under a licensed falconer. Over time you’ll progress from short tethered flights to full free flight on open land.

The culmination? Seeing your hawk stoop on quarry at full speed, an experience few sports can match.

Ready to join the ranks of UK falconers? Book your 5-Day Falconry Course at FalconryCourse.co.uk today and take the first step. Whether near London, in the Scottish Highlands, or anywhere in between, our expert instructors will get you started the right way. Fair winds and safe flights, your falconry adventure awaits!

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Falconry FAQs & Tips