I've meant to post this for several months and never got around to it. It links to a remarkable (I think) research paper by a high school student named Arthur Wilderson on the topic of falconry. I have read quite a few of these things over the years, and wrote a few myself in school. But I never did it so well as Arthur, not a falconer himself, who yet manages to provide a great deal of insight into our favorite activity. I found his paper well-researched (Steve's work is cited frequently), and his writing highly polished and often funny. In a characteristic passage, Arthur describes the strange schism that sometimes rears up between falconers and raptor rehabilitators:
"The falconers I spoke to diplomatically stated that some animosity exists between the groups. The rehabbers rather more colorfully (but less diplomatically) gave me their opinions on falconers. I’ve never heard anyone spit the word “falconer” before and have it ricochet."
Enjoy!
4 comments:
I worked at an (excellent) falconry centre for a few months in 1999. The display team there insisted they weren't 'falconers' even though they went hawking, caught rabbits, taught people falconry. Interesting. A little worrying.
That IS a weird one! What could be the benefit of denying you are a falconer if you are teaching falconry (and practicing it!)?
Great paper! I think someone that insightful should find a sponsor, trap a Redtail, and take some game!
Agreed. We need as many good ones as we can get.
BTW: Bodie I thought you were heading our way?
Post a Comment