Falconry Exam - Section 4 - Hunting & Training

35. Cooper's hawks are most commonly hunted . . . a. from power poles b. from a commanding pitch c. from the fist d. none of the above

Ans. c

62. True or false: It is desirable that your bird "crab" after striking a quarry.

Ans. False "Crabbing" is a clash or fight between falcons or hawks. Sometimes it happens in the air, sometimes on the ground over captured quarry.

67. True or false: "Intermewed" described a medieval practice now considered archaic by North American falconers.

Ans. False Intermewed simply describes a bird that has been kept a full year. Literally it means "interval in the mews" referring to the summer period of inactivity in the mews during which time a hawk molts. Hence, an intermewed hawk is a hawk that has been molted in captivity.

48. True or false: Hawks should not be made too tame, but should be encouraged to retain their wild nature.

Ans. False Tameness is a point of refinement in the art of falconry, and should be encouraged at all times. The more well-manned a hawk becomes and the more confidence and trust she has in the trainer, the better will be her attitude, and ultimately her success at later game flights.

49. A passager or passage hawk is... a. any raptor taken on migration b. a raptor taken on its first migration c. any intermewed raptor d. none of the above

Ans. b A passager is a raptor captured on its first southward migration, hence a bird in the immature plumage and therefore of known age. First-year birds captured in nonmigratory situations are also called passagers.

47. Raptors are most effectively trained... a. by a system of punishment (causing fright or pain without injury) b. by a system of rewards (providing food for good process) c. by a system of rewards and punishment d. none of these, raptors do not respond to either

Ans. b Hawks and falcons are not social animals, so the system of reward and punishment will not work. They react favorably only to a system based entirely on rewards. With force, punishment, or the threat of force, the non-social animal can react in only two ways; they can try to escape or fight back.

60. True or false: Yarak is utterly a function of a bird's hunger

Ans. False "Yarak" is an East Indian word that describes a savage state unique to certain birds of prey, which has no synonym in the English language. It describes an extreme readiness to kill. A bird in yarak adopts a certain unique posture that makes it appear especially dangerous. Some birds in yarak will attack anything, including cattle, dogs, and their trainers, but especially game. Yarak is partially, but not entirely linked to hunger. Birds that are put on a regular feeding schedule will, after a time, to come into yarak well before feeding time. Some birds go into yarak after missing a flight at quarry. Falcons and owls almost never go into yarak.

50. True or false: Due to their greater hunting experience, passagers are more proficient than haggards.

Ans. False A passage bird, being an immature first year bird, has less hunting experience than does a haggard which is an wild adult raptor. Haggards are generally more proficient than passage birds but are also generally less trainable. It is illegal and unethical to remove adult raptors from the wild for falconry purposes.

54. True or false: It is advisable to take an eyas Red-tailed Hawk for falconry purposes.

Ans. False Imprinting is transference of identity where the bird begins to think that it is a person or that people are hawks, and specifically the person handling it may be viewed as a parent. These birds develop an aggression and a lack of respect that keeps wild-caught birds from attacking human beings. Carried to its extreme in an intermewed bird, this aggression is married to the normal territorial defense reactions adult birds assume. Imprinted Red-tailed Hawks in particular have been known to attack and seriously injure their keepers, and more often, members of the hunting party or strangers who happen to be in the field. Besides rendering the bird extremely dangerous, it also makes it impossible to hack the bird back into the wild. Imprinting of buteos is to be avoided at all costs.

69. True or false: The scream of an eyas hawk frightens game from the field and forest.

Ans. False There is no evidence that quarry hunted by hawks of any kind associate the sounds made by the hawk with the hawk itself. To a duck or pheasant or rabbit, the cries of a Goshawk, Harris's Hawk or Red-tailed Hawk appear to be no more disturbing than the sound of a passing aircraft. The sound, however, is extremely irritating to humans.

51. True or false: A five year-old bird can never be accurately described as an eyas.

Ans. False. An eyas is a trained raptor of any age or species that was originally obtained as a nestling. The word is also applied to describe the young of raptors while they are still in the nest.

46. True or false: Falconers prefer their birds to be "sharp-set" before they enter the field to hunt.

Ans. True "Sharp-set" means hungry, keen, and sharp. It indicates an alert state, a readiness to kill.

71. True or false: A pheasant takes cover after being chased by your hawk for several hundred yards. The hawk is in a perch above the cover. If you flush the pheasant again, the hawk is likely to take it in the air.

Ans. True Adult pheasants are seldom taken on their first rise and usually pull away from a Goshawk, Harris's Hawk or Red-tailed Hawk. A Harris's Hawk or Goshawk will usually begin gaining on the pheasant if they persist. If the pheasant takes cover again, make every effort to force the pheasant into the air. A pheasant can be flown once and win - twice and it loses almost every time. A Harris's Hawk will learn this lesson very quickly

44. True or false: Some falconers prefer to man wild raptors outdoors to avoid overheating

Ans. True It is always easier to man a freshly captured hawk inside before exposing it to the noise and distractions of the outside world. The initial manning of raptors should generally take place outside or in an outbuilding where it is cool, or even cold, lest they overheat. The birds may expend a lot of energy bating and may be nervous. If at anytime during the handling, the bird shows an uncontrollable jerking or twitching of its shoulder or wings, it should be immediately placed in a cool dark room and left strictly alone to cool off and recover its composure. Accipiters are particularly prone to apoplectic fits.

70. True or false: A cock pheasant is easier for most birds to catch on the fly than a hen pheasant but is more troublesome in a rough-and-tumble on the ground.

Ans. True The cock pheasant is slower than the smaller hen and probably easier for the raptor to follow. However, on the ground it is tougher and will often kick the raptor off and offer to do battle with its spurs in the manner of a fighting cock.

73. True or false: A pursued duck is as loathe to fly into trees or brush as a falcon

Ans. True Trees and cover do not have as much effect on waterfowl flights. As a rule, ducks never attempt to enter cover or hide unless hit or forced out of the air by a near miss. Once down and trying to hide, ducks are good at it and are very difficult to find.

45. True or false: A hungry raptor can be trained more quickly than one that is not hungry.

Ans. True When hungry, a hawk will respond significantly faster than when it is well-fed. Its attention must be focused through the medium of daily feeding. It is during this period that the falconer will make most of his or her progress. Never starve your bird, but get it on the wing quickly so that it can attain its full potential. Use a scale daily and keep a log to monitor patterns.

55. True or false: A good rule for avoiding "screaming" is to "take the hawk to food, not the food to the hawk."

Ans. True With an eyas, the bird should be handled every day but never let it associate you with food. Remove the bird from its box before placing the lure with its meat attached. Return the eyas to its box and leave before it finds the lure. Never let the bird see you with food or the lure in your hand until at least after it is hard penned for a week or two. Even if you are diligent about this, the eyas may still imprint to you, but may not develop into a consistent screamer. If you are raising a single eyas, put an 8"x10" mirror in the nest box with it to keep it company, and hopefully the eyeas will imprint on its own image.

58. True or false. It is desirable that your falcon "binds" after striking quarry.

Ans. True. To bind is to seize the quarry with the feet and hold it either in the air or on the ground.

20. Your objective when training your hawk is . . . a. to make it as tame as possible b. train it to accept you as its owner and master c. show it affection so that it will like you d. none of the above

Ans. a

23. When training your first Red-tailed Hawk, your objective with hooding should be . . . a. be patient, calm, relaxed and give it a good try b. only use the giant hood c. resign yourself to having a hood-shy bird d. a. and c. above

Ans. a

31. Making in to your Red-tailed Hawk on her first kill should be . . a. done deliberately and cautiously b. avoided until she has eaten her fill c. done quickly so you can take the quarry from her and resume hunting d. left to your sponsor

Ans. a

64. The phrase "rake away" is used to mean... a. to abandon the flight and careen away b. a falcon flying low to the ground c. the cutting down of a swift flying quarry by a slashing strike-and-pass by the Goshawk d. none of the above

Ans. a "Rake away" is used to describe a flight at quarry or to the falconer that is aborted. The bird flies toward an intended target and then suddenly changes course away from that target.

72. A falcon at high altitude is more likely to take... a. a female mallard that breaks from the flock in a steep climb over land b. a female mallard that breaks from the flock and drops low over a lake c. a cock pheasant that remains on the ground and offers to fight d. a homing pigeon flying in a small tight flock

Ans. a There are no hard and fast rules about which individual game species a raptor will take, however, falcons tend to attack individuals that break from the flock. (b) is incorrect because falcons are normally reluctant to take waterfowl over large bodies of water. (c) is wrong because aggressive behavior by quarry toward the falcon will often discourage the predator. (d) is wrong because it is more difficult than it is commonly thought for a falcon to take a pigeon. It is even more difficult when an individual pigeon is flying in a flock. There are a few wild hawks that under normal circumstances can take a fullflighted pigeon. A good homer will not out-fly, but can out-dodge the best falcon. Pigeons and doves, as well as shore birds will often deliberately take to the air ahead of a low-level attack by a falcon and contest the mastery of the air with the raptor.

57. During early training, "carrying" can be discouraged by... a. holding or securing the lure b. using a brail c. forcibly removing food from the raptor d. quickly making in to a raptor on its kill

Ans. a Young hawks will often grab the lure and try to fly off with it. The falconer can avert this vice (before it happens) by firmly holding the lure or fastening the lure cord to a stationary object. Carrying should be discouraged.

15. Flying your hawk in April may be risky because . . . a. they are more likely to get electrocuted b. migratory urges may resurface c. they are more likely to warble d. the game is harder to catch

Ans. b

19. The best description of an operant conditioning technique is . . . a. pinching your birds toe after not jumping to the fist b. jump ups to the fist with a varying reward c. withholding food after not jumping to the fist d. none of the above

Ans. b

25. When looking for a duck flight for your new bird you would ideally . . . a. fly larger water to encourage a good pitch b. fly a single or small group of ducks c. encourage your bird to take a duck off the surface of the water d. none of the above

Ans. b

27. The raptor most likely to capture prey in a ringing flight style is . . . a. Goshawk b. Merlin c. American Kestrel d. Red-tailed Hawk

Ans. b

3. Drinking water is also known as . . a. yarak b. bowsing c. warbling d. carrying

Ans. b

34. Jack rabbits make for difficult quarry because . . . a. they seek thick cover b. they are fast and good at dodging c. they are big for a Red-tailed Hawk d. none of the above

Ans. b

38. Entering your new bird is best described as . . . a. serving pigeons to your long wing b. giving your bird an easy chance to chase a new quarry c. an ancient practice now deemed unnecessary d. none of the above

Ans. b

40. After a falcon strikes its quarry it is likely to . . . a. rake away b. throw-up c. cast d. stoop

Ans. b

9. Your new Red-tailed Hawk appears too tame after just one day out of the trap. You should . . . a. frighten the bird to get it back on course b. call your sponsor and follow their instructions c. take it hunting d. release it and trap a new bird

Ans. b

68. It is most useful to "enter" your bird... a. when it is unfamiliar with the surrounding landscape b. when it is unfamiliar with a particular quarry that you wish to hunt c. before it is registering at a falconry meet d. before transportation it in an unfamiliar container

Ans. b "Entering" a falconry bird on a particular prey species is the practice of introducing it to a quarry it has not interacted with before. Usually the falconer attempts to create a situation that maximizes the bird's opportunity for success and, if the bird is successful in taking the game, allows the bird to feed up on it. The hope is to create a good association in the hawk's mind and establish a "search image" of the intended quarry.

59. Your falcon is most likely to "throw-up"... a. following a meal of rancid meat b. following a stoop, particularly after the quarry successfully dodges it c. while sitting on a perch d. while taking a bath

Ans. b In the falconer's vernacular, "throw up" means to rise steeply on outstretched wings particularly after a stoop. The phrase "cast gorge" is used to describe the act of vomiting the content of stomach or crop.

61. The development of hunting skills in all proficient hunting hawks is based upon... a. sentimental attachment and obedience to the falconer b. the development and encouragement of their inherent instinct for hunting c. hunger d. the falconer's mastery of the hawk's inherent savagery called "Yarak"

Ans. b The development in birds of prey (and all predators) of the desire and will to hunt and kill certain species in excess of their own needs is linked to the care of their young. In succoring their nestlings, parents kill for reasons independent of their own hunger. The best falconry birds will hunt their own normal prey when they are high above their flying weight and not in a state of yarak.

74. The live-lure should... a. never be used b. only be used in an emergency c. be used whenever the raptor fails to take quarry d. be used when no wild quarry can be produced

Ans. b The purpose of a live lure is to get the falcon or hawk out of a dangerous situation or to retrieve a bird that is almost certain to become lost (e.g. a wild-caught hawk or falcon gets out of control and ignores a dead lure). It should be used only in emergencies. Repeated or careless use will ruin a game hawk.

56. One method of breaking a bird of the bad habit of snatching food from the fist and bating with it is to... a. feed the bird rangle b. feed the bird tidbits from the fist c. use a halsband to restrain the bird from bating d. conceal small amounts of Tabasco sauce or other foul tasting food in the carcass of a day old chick and allow the bird to bate with it

Ans. b This bad habit reflects poor early training. To remedy it, the falconer should permit their bird to eat only off the fist. Feed tidbits from the fist and never allow the hawk to have large portions. If the bird is offered only very small portions, she will eventually become discouraged from grabbing them and flying off. The use of tiring is also therapeutic.

52. Hacking is a process whereby... a. young accipiters or Red-tailed Hawks are allowed to get fully summed in a large chamber b. young raptors are allowed full flight freedom till they begin to kill for themselves c. haggards and passage birds are quickly manned d. none of the above

Ans. b Wild "hacking" gives eyases exercise and training that mimics the experience in flying that they would get in the wild.

13. You know an American Kestrel tends to carry. To help prevent this you should . . . a. use a lightweight lure b. only fly it when it is in yarak c. use a weighted lure line d. use a halsband while flying

Ans. c

17. Your lost passage Red-tailed Hawk is likely to . . a. look for new people to hunt with b. return to your mews c. revert back to the wild in short order d. starve if you don't recover it quickly

Ans. c

18. Which of the following statements is true regarding lure-flying? a. it is a ancient practice that has no place in modern falconry b. it is a useful tool for conditioning any hawk c. it is a useful tool for conditioning any falcon d. it is likely to make your Red-tailed Hawk fist bound

Ans. c

21. After hunting your Red-tailed Hawk for a season you decide to keep her through the molt. Your goal should be . . . a. to keep her sharp-set through the molt b. enseam her through the molt c. add about twenty percent to her flying weight d. feed her as much as she can eat each day

Ans. c

33. The best way to catch a starling with your American Kestrel is. . . a. from a high waiting on pitch b. in a ringing flight c. from close range while they are bathing d. not possible

Ans. c

4. Manning your newly-caught Red-tailed Hawk is best accomplished . . . a. outdoors from day one b. by starving weight off quickly c. using food to encourage a response d. by feeding a full crop daily

Ans. c

6. Once your freshly caught Red-tailed Hawk tires of bating off the fist and sits quietly, your next goal should be to . . . a. enter it on wild game b. lure fly it c. get it to feed off the fist d. tie it to your block perch

Ans. c

63. The word "strike" used by a falconer means... a. the instant of contact between a hunting raptor and either quarry or lure b. loosening the braces or removing the hood c. both a and b d. neither a nor b

Ans. c "Strike" has several meanings. It is used to describe the moment of impact. "Striking the braces" is the act of loosening the braces of a hood. "Striking the hood" is the act of removing the hood from the hawk or falcon.

43. When walking with a falconer carrying an unhooded hawk, a person should always walk... a. in front of the falconer b. behind the falconer c. to the right of a right-handed falconer d. to the right of a left-handed falconer

Ans. c Hawks are quick to sense a stranger and may become uneasy with unfamiliar people behind them. The person accompanying the falconer should therefore always walk on the side opposite the hand on which the hawk is perched. Right-handed falconers traditionally carry their birds on their left hand, so the person should walk on the right. After a few trips falconry birds usually become accustomed to the presence of other people in the field.

1. Which of the following is true? a. a haggard hawk was once an eyas b. an eyass hawk was once a haggard c. a passage bird was once an eyass d. a. and c. above are both true

Ans. d

10. Use of a lure may be desired when . . . a. a bird is being trained b. when an immediate recall of your bird is necessary c. when recalling your bird from a great distance d. all of the above

Ans. d

11. Your Red-tailed Hawk appears too keen prior to hunting. You should . . . a. give it rangle b. use a halsband while hunting c. tame-hack it d. none of the above

Ans. d

12. Your Red-tailed Hawk is well manned and flying to the fist on a creance. When do you feel comfortable flying it free? a. when it quickly comes 10 feet to the fist b. when it quickly comes 10 feet to the lure c. when it quickly comes 50 feet to the lure d. when it quickly comes 50 yards to the fist

Ans. d

14. Training a peregrine falcon to take a pitch may be accomplished by . . . a. training with homing pigeons b. training with a kite c. flying ground quarry d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

16. The first time you fly you Red-tailed Hawk free he refuses to come down from a tree. You are forced to leave him out for the night. Your next step should be to . . . a. arrive before dawn the next morning and try to recover him b. set up a bow net to the south and try to re-trap him on his migration c. call your sponsor and ask for advice d. a. and c. above are correct

Ans. d

2. When a falconer is attempting to call their bird, a visitor should . . . a. stay back and be still b. not get between the falconer and the bird c. walk toward the bird d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

22. Which type of raptor starts molting its outermost primary first and then proceeds in sequence to the innermost primary? a. falcons b. buteos c. accipiters d. none of the above

Ans. d

24. Acceptable quarry for a new hawk may include... a. squirrel b. rabbit c. quail d. all of the above

Ans. d

26. Your Red-tailed Hawk will have more success hunting if . . . a. it is hunting from trees or poles b. you carry it on an elevated T perch c. you hunt it from the fist d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

28. Use of a live-lure is necessary . . a. whenever hunting a goshawk b. whenever hunting a Red-tailed Hawk c. never d. only in an emergency

Ans. d

29. The benefit of using a lure with any bird includes . . a. they encourage your bird to tail-chase b. they carry no diseases your bird can catch c. there is no benefit d. none of the above

Ans. d

30. Male Red-tailed Hawks are preferred over females because . . . a. females are too clumsy too take squirrels b. males are more agile and take jack rabbits easier c. males are easier to man d. none of the above

Ans. d

32. Your kestrel is best suited to hunt . . . a. Quail b. Starlings c. English sparrows d. b. and c. above

Ans. d

36. Hunting upland game with a goshawk is aided by . . . a. a good pointing dog b. a good flushing dog c. a large group of people beating the brush d. a. and b. above

Ans. d

37. Bagged quarry is . . . a. necessary to get your new Red-tailed Hawk killing wild game b. used extensively to train a long wing c. necessary to teach an eyass how to kill d. none of the above

Ans. d

39. A slip is best described as . . . a. a chance at quarry b. release of a short wing after quarry c. the flight of a short wing after quarry d. all of the above

Ans. d

41. Female American Kestrels are preferred over males because they . . . a. train easier b. handle English Sparrows better c. hunt better d. none of the above

Ans. d

5. The benefits of hunting your bird frequently include . . . a. providing a good diet of wild caught game b. providing excellent exercise for your bird c. strengthening the bond between you and your bird d. all of the above

Ans. d

7. Hacking a bird refers to . . . a. introducing it to game b. releasing a passage to fly free c. allowing a young bird to mature in a chamber d. none of the above

Ans. d

8. A bird that is keen could also be said to be . . . a. hungry b. sharp-set c. ready to kill d. all of the above

Ans. d

53. The chief advantage of "tame-hack" is... a. flight experience at critical development stages b. provides critical hunting experience c. sibling play experience d. all of the above

Ans. d "Tame hack" gives early free experience to fledgling falcons in close association with their trainer. The falconer allows fledgling falcons to fly free for a few hours each day from a portable perch in a "hack field" The birds fly with telemetry and are recovered each night. During the process, the falconer begins to serve quarry to the birds as they frolic and exercise in the manner of wild parents raising their young. In addition to exercise and the advantages listed above, the tame hack experiences, which American falconers developed during the 1970s, gives young birds some of the learning experiences that would occur at their stage of development if they were in the wild. Tame hack has the advantage over wild hack that the falconer is always close by to protect their birds from eagles, owls, wild raptors, cars, hunters, and power lines.

65. A good reason to stop flying your bird before the start of spring is... a. frequency of soaring weather b. resurgence of latent migration urges c. influx of many migrating passerine birds d. all of the above

Ans. d Spring is a dangerous season to fly any bird. Leaves reappear on the trees. The molt begins in April (but will be delayed if the falconer keeps their bird sharp-set) and hormonal changes urge the bird to migrate or seek a mate and the whole atmosphere turns over. The warmer lower air bursts upward expanding and accelerating as it goes and carries your bird with it. A bird caught in this updraft will seldom return. An additional hazard associated with spring is the temptation to chase recently arriving passerine birds, which were absent all winter.

66. The best reason not to fly your birds during the molt is because... a. a hawk may break a blood feather b. it is too hard to see quarry when the leaves are on the trees c. feather growth is energy-demanding and the birds must be fed more d. all of the above

Ans. d While wild birds must continue to fly and hunt during the molt, it is generally recommended that falconry birds kept during the molt be kept in high condition in a stress-free environment in order to promote feather growth and development, which has a direct impact on the bird's flight capabilities. Breakage of soft in-the-blood feathers could impact the bird's health and feather condition. A high condition would negatively impact the falconer's ability to control and recall a free-flying bird. Birds generally lose weight more slowly in warm weather, making weight management more challenging. Finally, it is harder to see birds when trees are in full foliage.

42. A pheasant is most likely taken by a goshawk . . . a. on the first flush b. in the morning c. on a reflush d. after sunset

ans. c