Field Meets for the Aspiring Falconer
What to pack, wear, and expect at the average state Falconry Field Meet
Field meets are by far the best way to get your foot in the door and meet falconers. Here's an idea of what goes on at your typical state-club field meet, what you should wear/bring, and basic field etiquette.
What Goes On at a Field Meet?
While each state runs things slightly differently, the general gist of things stays the same. Field meets typically start on Thursday or Friday morning, and run till Saturday. All 2-3 days are filled with hunting during daylight hours; there is typically a social hour and/or cash bar Thurs/Fri in which people make plans for the next day. Sometimes there will be some kind of workshop during the social. On Saturday evenings, there is typically a banquet, formal presentation, and raffle.
What Should I Wear/Bring?
Falconry is, of course, a hunting sport at its heart. In PA/NJ, most falconers are targeting rabbit and squirrel as primary quarry - and they tend to live in briar patches. You'll want to wear either old clothing you don't mind getting torn, or clothing specifically meant for wading through the thorn bushes (firehose canvas pants/coat, briar chaps, etc). You'll also want to wear good base layers if it's cold out (which it usually is during meets).
Regarding footwear - comfortable hiking boots are the way to go. If your boots aren't waterproof, a second pair of shoes and multiple pairs of socks are a good idea. Actually, scratch that - even if your boots are waterproof, a second pair of boots and extra socks are still a good idea. I don't recommend wearing Muck boots or similar made with neoprene - I once shredded a very nice pair of neoprene Muck boots in the thorn bushes.
If you have a durable walking stick that doesn't hold sentimental value, bring that for flushing out brush piles and beating on trees. I find that cattle driving rods are excellent beating sticks. You'll also want durable gloves and safety goggles (walking behind people can be hazardous, branches tend to fling in various directions).
Don't forget about lunch - most falconers go out to eat for lunch during the meet, but bringing a packed lunch is perfectly fine if you don't want to eat out. A water bottle for keeping hydrated between hunts is also a good idea.
Is There Anything I Should NOT Bring?
Actually, yes. Some falconers train their birds to fly away from fluorescent orange to keep their birds away from rifle/shotgun hunters, so avoid wearing bright orange. Another thing to avoid wearing on your person is any kind of fur trim - some hawks have been known to mistake the fur trim around someone's boots for a rabbit.
Field Etiquette
Like any community, there are some rules of practice/etiquette to follow at field meets. Some may be pretty obvious, some not so much.
Most falconers use the traditional game call, "ho ho ho" when quarry is spotted. Only use the game call when you see the targeted quarry - not on mice/voles/finches etc.
Do not approach a bird without the falconer's permission - I know that getting up close to a hawk grappling with a rabbit is a great photo op, but some birds do not tolerate being approached by strangers. Always wait for the falconer's permission before approaching a bird on the ground.
When walking near a falconer with a bird on the glove, walk in front and to the right of the falconer. Most people are right-handed, and therefore carry the bird on their left hand. Keeping to the front and right of the falconer allows the bird to see the hunting party and not feel surrounded. If the falconer carries the hawk on the right hand, walk in front and to the left.
Make sure to stay with the group - if you lag too far behind the group, this can confuse the hawk and she will be out of position when quarry flushes.
Different individuals have different opinions on holding conversation in the field; however the most common stance is that conversation in the field is just fine, as long as it is relevant to falconry and does not keep you from keeping up with the group.
After the Meet
Don't forget to keep in contact with the falconers you get in touch with at the field meets! Figure out who is in your area, keep in touch with them, ask them to take you out hunting during the rest of the season. You might even ask to help with summer mew maintenance/cleaning. I hope this helps prepare you for the field meet, and enjoy your time out hawking!
