Falconry is the ancient are of hunting game with raptors, or birds of prey. Although the term falconry is used to describe the activity of training and hunting with birds of prey, there are two distinct terms to describe the handler. A ‘falconer’ trains and flies falcons, whereas an ‘austringer’ flies hawks. Red Tail and Harris Hawks are the most popular birds for hunting as they are very receptive to training.

There are many views as to the earliest form of falconry, with some suggesting the art started in Mesopotamia, and others believing it began in the Far East. Historically, falconry was hugely popular with nobility in Asia and the Far East. It was probably introduced to Europe around AD 400, when the Huns invaded from the East.

Here in the UK, falconry permitted without the need for a license, however it is restricted to using only captive-bred birds. Despite having existed for centuries, the sport of falconry was finally given formal legal status in Great Britain by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  The Act allowed falconry to continue provided all captive raptors native to the UK were officially ringed and registered. Anyone is permitted to possess legally registered captive birds of prey. This is not to be confused with falconry, which specifically entails the hunting of live quarry with a trained bird.

The characteristics and hunting quarry of raptors varies almost as much as that of our working dog breeds. Each Countryman Fairs event offers a comprehensive display of birds of prey, with experts on hand to give you an insight into the fascinating history of this noble sport. The Falconry Village at the Midland Game Fair is one of the largest falconry expositions in the UK.