Falconers from across the nation made their way to Lubbock this week, for the North American Falconers Association’s annual field meet.
Falconry is the sport of taking wild game in partnership with a trained bird of prey, according to NAFA. Hunters typically take a bird of prey out to a field, where the bird and owner scout out prey. When they do spot one, the bird flies from the owner to chase down the animal.
Sisters Stephanie and Caroline Thomson started learning about the sport when they were 15 and 13 years old. Their family attends the annual NAFA field meets, and drove down from Indiana to join hundreds of falconers for this year’s event.
“One thing that makes falconry impressive is history is so long. It’s been around thousands of years,” said Stephanie Thomson, now 21 years old.
“The beauty of the sport is the participation in something that is totally natural,” said Greg Thomas, a falconer of 58 years, who introduced the Thomson family to the sport.
“You just have such respect for the prey and the predator because you see that it doesn’t just always get it and you are able to see how nature works and how they both struggle to survive,” said Caroline Thomson, about the relationship between the bird and prey.
It requires years of training to take part in this time honored tradition. This includes becoming licensed as a falconer, constant equipment inspection, learning how to care for the animal, and a mentor who has spent years in the art.
“I’m glad the restrictions are so rigorous,” said Stephanie. “It required so much responsibility, so much character development to be able to take something, I was honestly very afraid of, and work with it and care for it and overcome it.”
In falconry, wild birds of prey must be caught when they are less than a year old. The Thomson’s say this actually gives them a better chance of survival.
While in the hunt, the birds can choose to fly away from their owner if they wanted, but for the most part the Thomson’s say they always stick around.
“You shove the bird up and usually they’ll just turn right around and look at you and then you’re just like, this is amazing. Why isn’t she flying away?” said Caroline.
The event goes until December 7. Throughout the week, hawks, falcons, and golden eagles will sit outside the MCM Elegante Hotel and Suites, if any of the community would like to visit.
