Falconry is a sport, first and foremost. Hawks and Falcons are NOT pets. The biggest insult you can recieve as a Falconer is "pet owner." For serious. If you're not going to hunt with your bird, stop reading now.
Falconry exists for the preservaton of predatory bird species, as well as the preservation of the art of flying and hunting with Raptors.
Falconry as applied to Rangering:
Birds of prey can be trained to hunt many animals, depending on the size of your bird. Large hawks and Falcons can take ducks, geese, and large jackrabbits, as well as smaller game. Golden Eagles, if handled carefully, can hunt coyotes. Golden Eagles, if handled poorly, can wind up hunting you.
Generally speaking, Hawks fly swiftly from mid-to-high elevations, both on wing and from a perch, to strike mostly targets on the ground, though they CAN catch birds. Generally speaking, Falcons dive (or "stoop") from extremely high elevations (the highest flying, such as Peregrines, are loosely referred to as "longwings") at speeds up to and sometimes exceeding 60 miles per hour, at both aerial and ground targets.
For a Ranger, a Falcon or Hawk can be used as a quiet, simple companion hunter and provider. When all that is available is small game and you don't trust your Archery skills, the skills of a well-trained bird can easily fill in that gap. I, personally, plan to save my arrows for the orcs, and let my bird take care of dinner. I'll break and lose less arrows that way.
In addition, Raptors have a tendency to notice when new people and animals enter an area. They may bristle (or "fluff") their feathers at the first sign of an approaching person. Their senses are far sharper than yours. If you spend enough time with your bird and pay close enough attention to it in the field, you can learn to notice these things. An early warning system could be invaluable to a Ranger. Even at a distance, a bird that you've learned to read well can be invaluable.
Getting Started:
Falconry requirements may vary from state to state, so you will have to do some of your own research, but in the State of California, a person who wishes to become a Falconer must first pass the Falconry Apprentice's Exam. Once you have passed the exam, you may begin looking for a sponsor. An Apprentice Falconer is required to have a sponsor for a two year period to supervise his/her training of their first bird. The sponsor may be either a General or Master Falconer. Once you have a sponsor, you need to acquire your equipment (this can happen before you take the exam, so long as you know what you're looking for; otherwise, get your sponsor to help you) and build a mews. A mews is a large housing facility for your bird. Typically an 8x8x8' enclosure or larger, it needs to be big enough for the bird to spread its wings completely. There are specific and strict building codes to follow for making a mews, which you should look up. You must also be able to provide a safe (free of cats and other menaces) "weathering area" which is an essentially open-air place (usually made of chicken wire or other mesh) where you can leave your bird on a perch during the day, as the mews is very closed-in.
Once you have a sponsor, equipment, mews built, and your hunting license (also a requirement, this is commonly known as the "Gun Safety Course"), you and your sponsor must set up a time for the Fish and Game department to send a representative to examine your equipment and facilities. Once they have approved them, you are a Licensed Falconer and have permission to, with the supervision of your sponsor, trap your first bird.
In the state of California, there are two options available to Apprentice Falconers. Either the American Kestrel, which is America's smallest Falcon, or the Red-Tailed Hawk. The Kestrel is capable of catching sparrows, other small birds, and mice. The Red-Tailed Hawk is one of America's biggest hawks, and can handle large jackrabbits and is fast enough to catch some birds on the wing.
EQUIPMENT LIST:
Falconry Glove, which is fairly obviously used to protect the hand. Grommets are often added at the base to attach a leash.
![Image](http://www.cheshirefalconry.com/falconry_supplies/images/glove_16inch.jpg)
Anklets and Jesses, which are attached to the legs, allowing for leashes, and a place to hold onto the bird while on hand.
![Image](http://www.falconryoriginals.co.uk/jesses-2k.jpg)
Hoods, which temporarily and harmlessly blind your bird for filing its beak and talons, and for preventing it from associating you with potentially traumatic experiences like riding in the car.
![Image](http://animalsneedkisses.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/falconryhood.jpg)
There's a ton more, such as perches, leashes, Falconry Bags, traps, scales, bells, whistles (no joke!), but this covers the first few things you'd need to get.
You will have to do some research to see just what exactly is expected of your region, but remember it is NOT going to be easy in any way, shape or form. Your bird will NEVER smile at you or thank you. It will respond to the food you present it with, and little more. It won't be friendly, and it won't be child-safe. Not a family pet; it will be a hunter that needs as much respect as a gun. "Always loaded."
Alright, class. Questions?