Can a falconry school program substitute for the years of experience required for General Falconer?

The requirement for obtaining a General Falconer license is predicated on acquiring specific years of hands-on experience in falconry under the guidance of a Master Falconer. This requirement is designed to ensure that individuals possess the necessary skills, knowledge, and practical experience to care for and train raptors safely and effectively.

While falconry school programs can provide valuable education and foundational knowledge, they do not fulfill the experience criteria mandated by the regulations. Experience gained in a falconry school may not encompass the breadth of real-life, hands-on situations that a General Falconer would face with their own birds. Therefore, completing a falconry school program cannot replace the necessity of obtaining requisite experience in the field.

This underscores the importance of on-the-job training in falconry, which cannot be fully replicated in a classroom or educational setting. To become proficient and responsible in managing birds of prey, prospective General Falconers are required to engage in actual falconry practice under proper mentorship.