John Karger - Falconry: Will tell you about a type of hunting, 
with a bird's eye view. Coming up on Passport To Texas.


Passport to Texas from Texas Parks and Wildlife. 

 
Perched peacefully upon John Karger's arm is the fastest 
flying bird of prey-the falcon.


"Where the hawk dives out of the sky, one hundred miles and 
hour from time to time, this bird can dive out of the sky at 200 
miles an hour." 


As the founder of the bird rehabilitation program, Last Chance 
Forever, Karger educates the public about falcons and other 
birds of prey. Captive falcons, under strict Texas Parks and 
Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife requirements and permits 
are trained in the sport of falconry...


"Falconry is the technique of hunting with birds of prey. It is in 
actuality going out with the bird, and it was done a long time ago, 
before there were modern firearms. Today we really don't have to 
have birds of prey to acquire food, we use birds of prey for the 
sport, so really a falconer goes out and not so much to acquire 
food, but to see this bird do what it does, which is really one of 
the highest forms of hunting."


Falconers must be able to provide suitable facilities for their birds 
and have extensive funds needed to supply proper food, health 
care and equipment for the birds.


"Can you hear those bells...a falconer puts bells 
on his birds so that when they fly I can hear him when I can't 
see him..."


Before permits are issued, an applicant must pass a test on 
raptors and falconry, which includes training techniques, diseases 
and natural history. Texas Parks and Wildlife offers a pamphlet on 
falconry and the permits needed for the sport. To download an 
on-line copy, come to passporttotexas.org. For Texas Parks and Wildlife, 
I'm Cecilia Nasti.