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History of Falconry
Falconry
dates back to 2000 BC, when birds of prey were used to catch
fast moving game, such as pheasant and hare, by nomadic
tribes in Central Asia.
The practice of falconry spread with the silk and spice
trade routes, and there are records of falcons being used
for hunting in Japan by 700 BC. In Europe, the falconry
was an established art by 600 AD, and in England by 700
AD.
A European goshawk could catch up to twenty game birds a
day, proving to be invaluable in providing fresh meat for
the supper table. Falcons were put up and kept station over
a covey of partridge known to be hiding in the underbrush,
while the falconer crept up and threw a large net over the
birds.
Falconry
and Royalty
By the 15th century had become a sport and provided leisure
entertainment for those members of society who had money
and time on their hands. King Henry VIII was a great advocate
of hunting and falconry was his one of his favourite past
times. He had mews (housing for falcons) at all of his palaces.
At Hampton Court Palace, he kept over one hundred falcons
and hawks at any one time. He himself did not have the time
to train and look after this number of birds, so an entourage
of falconers and assistant falconers were employed to look
after the birds’ daily needs.
By the 18th century, falconry was very popular throughout
Europe and many Subscription Members Clubs were started.
The Clubs provided a service for people who were to busy
to be able to successfully train and fly a falcon on a daily
basis. Professional falconers were employed to source and
train the birds. The members of the Club could then hunt
their falcons when time and whim allowed. European royalty,
in the main, patronized these clubs. However, in Holland,
the Loo Club had over one hundred members, who met several
times a week in the hunting season.
Falconry
in England
In England, the Confederation Hawks of Great Britain, The
Falconer Club and later The Old Hawking Club were run on
a much smaller scale. The principle remained the same. The
clubs allowed the businessman of the day to watch his hawk
or falcon work, without having to spend time taming or training
the bird.
By the beginning of the 20th century (1927) the Old Hawking
Club had been disbanded and the British Falconers’
Club founded. The spirit of the hawking club had changed
from prestige to sport. The BFC was for the individual who
would now tame and train his own hawk or falcon.
Falconry, since then, has diverged into two branches: hunting
and diplay falconry. The BFC provides the support structure
that allows the hunting of game as a social sport. Display
falconry has become very popular, and is a very useful educational
tool, but the welfare of the birds in commercial use always
remains a priority. The BFC is strongly involved in conservation
of birds of prey and meetings allow members to exchange
information and experiences.
The BFC also acts as regulatory body in the United Kingdom.
It liases with government authorities and advises on legislative
changes regarding the keeping and breeding of birds of prey.
Falconry
in South Africa
Falconry has been part of hunting in South Africa since
the 1950’s. However, it was only in 1993 that falconry
was legalised in certain provinces of South Africa. There
is a code of conduct and an apprenticeship system for trainee
falconers. A novice falconer may keep and hunt with an African
Goshawk or Rock Kestrel, whilst A Grade and Master falconers
may fly indigenous raptors such as Peregrines, Black Sparrowhawks
and African Hawk Eagles. |
