Customer Reviews

North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book was the most helpful in almost every aspect of falconry. The experience of the authors shine through in this helpful guide. This book is perfect for the up-and-coming falconer, as well as the experienced falconer with questions.

This is a must-have for anyone thinking of starting falconry or becoming an apprentice falconer. It is a primary reference book for practicing falconers. Most people will need to have read this book thoroughly as well as other reference material before being able to pass their state exam. We found the California Hawking Club Apprentice Study Guide as well as information from local Fish and Game Dept (in addition to this book) to be very helpful in passing the state exam. This book is used on a regular basis for us as practicing falconers.

This is a book chock-full of great material. Overall organization of the content needs some tweeking as it is a bit scattered. Anyone wanting to get details on hawks and falconry will find the information they need somewhere in these pages. The authors clearly have a wealth of knowledge to share; it could be shared better. This book is in serious need of a competent editor. Nearly every page contains examples of the editor's silly habit of using capital letters to emphasize words. For example, "...the haggard Prairie is VERY difficult to train." Often this anachromism is employed several times per page and makes reading difficult. It is both annoying and so unneccesary.
Grammatical and spelling errors abound as well.

This book is highly recommended for anyone considering Falconry. There are literally years of experience by some of the world's greatest falconers documented here. Do yourself a favor and buy the "bible of Falconry". You won't regret it!

First off, a correction: Hal Webster and Frank Beebe put this book together initially in the 60's or 70's, in an earlier edition which is still largely the same. Since, chapters have been added about Harris' Hawks (which are an exception to the rules about non-social raptors,) to update veterinary aspects, etc. Joe Rotondo's name has no place in the credits for this book.

Though aspects of the legal system do not apply in countries other than the U.S., NAF&HH remains the single most comprehensive book written on modern falconry, and perhaps the second most comprehensive ever written on the subject. I'm a professional writer, author, and have been flying raptors for well over 30 years (nearly 40, now) and I have been unable to begin to put together a book on the subject, for fear that I'll miss one of the many facets that go into each decision made about the hawk while interacting with it. The sheer sum of all the information that comes into play at one time is daunting. Yet Hal and Frank managed to present that information to us in analog order, and produce a book which has guided many thousands of falconers to success over the past 4 decades.

If you could have only one book on raptors, this would have to be that book.

P.S. Though Amazon claims that it is out of print, Hal Webster continues to publish this book. Western Sporting Goods is amongst the vendors who can acquire it, and Hal may still sell it directly as well.

P.P.S. I should also add that it is written by Hal Webster & Frank Beebe. I've no idea how Joe Rotondo came to be in the credits.

Frank Beebe's North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks is a wonderful guide to caring for a bird, feeding it,training it, and hunting with it. It has extensive patterns for hoods and other equipment used in the sport.

The most comprehensive book printed on Falconry in North America. Now in it's 8th edition.

This book is the best source of information for both new and old hawkers alike. If you have a question here is your answer.

This is without a doubt the primary resource for falconers across North America and quite possibly the world. It is an invaluable reference towards attaining a falconry license, trapping, training and caring for a bird. Howerver it is printed by a small independent outfit that quite often has trouble keeping up with demand, and the book is in serious need of an editor, as it abounds with spelling and grammatical errors.

If you want to learn Falconry you must atleast read this book once.... But it is much better to have it at hand in your posession!