Falconry or hawking is the art or sport involving raptors (birds of prey) to hunt or pursue game. There are two traditional terms used to describe a person involved in falconry. Firstly, a Falconer, who flies a falcon. Secondly, an Austringer is one who flies a "true" hawk (accipiter). In modern falconry, buteos are now commonly used so a more loosely used term of falconer now applies to all people involved in falconry.

History

---

Traditional views of falconry state that the art started in East Asia; however, archaeologists have found evidence of falconry in the Middle East dating back to the 1st century BC. Historically, falconry was a popular sport, and status symbol, among the nobles of both medieval Europe and feudal Japan, where it is called takagari. Eggs and chicks of birds of prey were quite rare and expensive, and since the process of raising and training a hawk or falcon takes a lot of time and money and space, it was more or less restricted to the noble classes. In Japan, there were even strict restrictions on who could hunt which sorts of animals, and where, based on one's ranking within the samurai class. In art, and in other aspects of culture, such as literature, falconry remained a status symbol long after the sport was no longer popularly practiced. Eagles and hawks displayed on the wall could represent the noble himself, metaphorically, as noble and fierce. Woodblock prints or paintings of falcons or falconry scenes could be bought by wealthy commoners, and displayed as the next best thing to partaking in the sport, again representing a certain degree of nobility.

More on [ Falconry ]

Bassmaster.com

Think Smallie: Float and Fly Q&A
Stephen Headrick Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:11:11 -0800
It's getting to be that time of year — the time of year when I get asked lots of questions about float and fly fishing.
Boyd Duckett: The Fall Trap
Matt Pangrac Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:38:47 -0800
"The Rat-L Trap is definitely one of the most productive baits you can throw in the fall," says Duckett.
Going Ike: Fun fishing on Tuesday
Mike Iaconelli Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:48:22 -0800
Hey, I had a rare experience this week, Tuesday to be exact. I actually got to go fun fishing with an old friend. He's one of the original members of my first bass club, the one I joined when I was in high school.
Zac Brown Band up for American Music Awards
Story Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:04:21 -0800
The Zac Brown Band, of Chicken Fried fame, is up for several American Music Awards this fall.
More than a fish
Ken Duke Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:13:22 -0800
Do you know the story of Leroy Brown? No, not the Leroy Brown in the Jim Croce song from the early 1970s. I'm talking about Tom Mann's Leroy Brown - the fish.
VanDam equally intense about whitetails
Alan McGuckin Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:52:45 -0800
Kevin VanDam captured back-to-back 2008 and 2009 Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles through an intense, passionate pursuit. He takes those same winning intangibles to the deer woods - and the results have been similar.

Subscribe to F RSS feed