Falconer (Valkenier)
Information on this skill...
A falconer is a birdwatcher who practices falconry as a hobby or professional. Falconry originally refers to hunting prey through trained birds of prey, such as a falcon. Nowadays, demonstration flights are also held with birds of prey in which hunting no longer plays a role. Demonstration flights are therefore not really part of falconry, because hunting is not a goal. In general, one can only speak of falconry when a falconer uses a trained bird of prey to hunt prey. Most falconers are not professionally active but rather hobby-like. Hunting with birds of prey is not common nowadays, but can still play an important role during hunting. Most falconers only give demonstration flights to the public or use their birds of prey to scare away other birds, such as gulls. Chasing away birds may be necessary for a variety of reasons, such as protecting crops or chasing away birds at an airport. The profession of falconer is not for everyone, because a falconer must have a strong discipline. A good falconer is busy with his or her birds of prey every day. In most cases, the care of birds of prey cannot be left to strangers, so the falconer himself is responsible for the care and training of the birds of prey every day. In addition, the training, care and possible hunting can in most cases only be carried out during the day. Becoming a falconer is therefore not easy, because training birds of prey requires specialist knowledge. As described earlier, most falconers nowadays have to be regarded as passionate hobbyists, who can work in a professional manner. Falconers can be called in by various organizations to scare away birds, for example.
A falconer is therefore a birdwatcher, who uses birds of prey to practice the hobby of falconry. The term hobby should be seen quite generally, because training birds of prey in a good way requires a lot of knowledge and perseverance. In addition, falconers can be engaged by professional parties. Think, for example, of a falconer, who is instructed on behalf of air traffic control to chase away birds around an airport. Farmers and arable farmers can also use a falconer to protect their crops from birds. This type of falconer can therefore also work professionally. In most cases, a falconer will be active as a hobby. Falconers can in many cases also be regarded as educational employees, because falconers can also be responsible for telling about birds of prey. Falconry can be classified as an old craft. Modern falconry nowadays has a commercial position.
HUNTING WITH BIRDS OF PREY
Hunters who want to hunt with birds of prey may only use a peregrine falcon or a hawk in the Netherlands. In addition, the hunter must have a falconer's deed, because hunting with birds of prey is otherwise prohibited. Most hunters do not use birds of prey. Most hunters nowadays use a hunting dog to hunt. Hunting with birds of prey is more of a thing of the past. This does not alter the fact that there are still hunters who can also use a bird of prey. Hunting with birds of prey is difficult to call, because the peregrine falcon and the hawk are not easy birds.
SCARING AWAY BIRDS
Scaring away birds does not only apply to airports or fields. Birds of prey can also be used at large landfills. This is important, because birds can pick up a lot of garbage and spread it in the environment. The repelling of pigeons can also be done by means of birds of prey. Another example is chasing away birds around a fruit farm to prevent damage to fruit. Companies generally use falconers, because in many cases wild birds may not be controlled in any other way. Falconry can be seen as an extinct profession, with the important addition that there is an increasing demand for falconers.
TRAINING FALCONS
Training falcons is still common today, both for recreation and for hunting. Some falconers train their birds to fly to them from very far away, while others work to develop a mutual bond with their bird. It is important that the falconer understands well how a bird thinks, and what its natural instincts are, in order to be able to train it properly. Training birds of prey caught in the wild is also very difficult. In the past, caught birds of prey were often trained to hunt for humans.
WHAT DOES A FALCONER DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A FALCONER
Anyone who wishes to hunt with birds of prey within the Netherlands must have a falconer's deed that is recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. Without this falconer's deed, a falconer is not allowed to hunt with birds of prey. A falconry's deed is also mandatory for management and damage control. For more information about the rules, see the website Stichting Jachtopleidingen Nederland and the website Orde der Nederlandse Valkeniers where more information can be found. There are plenty of opportunities throughout the country with regard to training and workshops. There are also plans to set up a general training to become a falconer. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A FALCONER CAN BE EMPLOYED
A professional falconer will in most cases have to be regarded as an entrepreneur. The profession of falconer does not occur within companies. In addition, most falconers should be considered hobbyists, who have a great fondness for birds of prey. This does not alter the fact that hobby falconers can also be used for external parties.
COMPETENCES FALCONER
The main competence of a falconer is the care of the birds of prey and animal welfare. In addition, a falconer must have a strong discipline with regard to training birds of prey. Communication can also be regarded as an important competence, because most falconers also have to deal with other falconers and possible clients. Generally important words are passion, energy, drive, motivation and perseverance. If a falconer works as an entrepreneur, networking can also be important.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A FALCONER
Labour market perspective does not really apply to a falconer because in most cases the profession of falconer cannot be seen as a common profession. The career opportunities as a falconer should be seen in training with the birds of prey on a daily basis and perhaps getting paid assignments.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY FALCONER
Terms of employment and salary do not apply to a falconer. A falconer can receive compensation for his work, but this can usually not be seen as an ordinary salary.
The content on this page has been automatically translated from the Dutch language. For this reason, texts and videos on this page may contain small errors.
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