Research
Initially you should start at the library. Learn as much as you can about the sport and carefully consider the demands it will have on you and your family, especially in regards to time. Some good introductory books are listed at the bottom of the page:
AGC membership
Contact the membership secretary of the Alberta Game Hawking Club. Membership fee is $25 (no subsequent renewal). You will be sent an "Apprentice" package outlining the requirements and an application form for membership.
Get a Supervisor
Once a member of the association, the club secretary will help you find a qualified member geographically nearest to you who will work with you as a supervisor.
Apprenticeship
As an apprentice you will be expected to work with your supervisor for at least one year. On occasion an apprentice and supervisor may be live in different regions of the province. If this is the case, the apprectice will be expected to keep the sponsor adequately appraised. Once you have met the requirements of the apprenticeship you must pass a written examination in order to advance to the next level.
Facilities and Equipment
In order to obtain a recreational falconry permit you will be required to construct an appropriate facility to house your bird. This facility must be inspected and approved by Fish and Wildlife (Form WA 232). Your supervisor will assist you with this and the acquisition of basic equipment (glove, weighing scale, jesse's, swivel, leashes, perches). You should expect to spend $800-$1000 in start up costs.
Falconry and Capture Permits
A falconry permit costs $20.00 and can be purchased from Fish and Wildlife. When you have trapped a bird you must also purchase a possession permit ($50:00) from Fish and Wildlife. As a novice you will be restricted to flying a Kestrel, Red-tailed hawk or Swainson's hawk. If you find that falconry is not for you, you will be expected to release the bird or transfer it to another falconer.
Recommended reading
"North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks" by Beebe and Webster (privately published). An all time best seller and the most thorough modern falconry book.
"A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato (published by Neville Spearman Ltd.) Difficult to come by, but one of the best books on flying accipiters, particularly the sparrow hawk.
"The Art And Practice of Hawking" by E.B. Mitchell (reprinted C.T. Banford Co. Newton Mass.) An old classic based upon UK falconry.
"The Hunting Falcon" By Bruce Haak. (Published by Hancock House 1995). An advanced book emphasizing the prairie falcon, from eyas and captive breeding and management.
"Hawking Ground Quarry" By Martin Hollinshead. (Printed by Hancock House Surrey B.C.) An advanced book on hawking with shortwing's and eagles.
"Understanding Birds of Prey" By Dr. Nick Fox. (Published by Hancock House 1995). An excellent book covering details on animal biology, anatomy, behavior, captive breeding and management.
"The Falconers Apprentice: A guide to training the passage red-tail hawk". By William Oakes. (Eaglewing publishing, Elizabeth, Colorado). A good guide for the novice and supervisor also covering important philosophical underpinnings of the sport.
"Falconry and Hawking" By Phillip Glasier. (Published by Batsford Press 1978). An excellent beginners book. Covers all aspects of falconry in detail together with equipment making.
"Falconry" By Jemima Parry-Jones. (Published by David & Charles-London). Like her father, Phillip Glasier, Jemima is a world renowned raptor breeder and runs the Bird of Prey Centre in Newent, Gloucestershire, UK. Good book for beginners covering birds used in falconry, housing,management, equipment and captive breeding.
"Dessert Hawking" by Harry McElroy. (Private printing). Getting difficult to find but an excellent book on flying small accipiters and Harris Hawks.
