ART OF FALCONRY

The author's vast falconry experience, combined with that of his fellow contributors, make this volume knowledge-heavy, yet light and entertaining in style. It covers all aspects of modern falconry, from the traditions that shaped the sport to its underlying ethics and philosophy as it continues to evolve in the 21st century. IIt takes readers on a global journey in search of the ultimate quarry species, sharing methods and motivations through the hawking experiences of those who pursue the most challenging flights in their art. Scottish red grouse and Belgian crows; houbara hawking with gyrfalcons and sakers; wood pigeon hawking with peregrines and goshawks; sand grouse, snipe and sage grouse with high-flying falcons: this book reflects the falconers' pride in the sport's traditions and their enthusiasm for its future development and evolution as a living heritage.

PATRICK MOREL is renowned worldwide as a falconer Master. He has an innate sense of hunting, is a modest expert on ‘grande que ête’ pointing dogs (particularly English pointers) and is himself a fine shot.

He is the former President of the Belgian Falconers Association (Club Marie de Bourgogne), and was previously President of the International Association for Falconry, when he was instrumental in bringing together 60 countries which practice falconry. He is the longest overseas member of the North American Falconers Association (since 1968) and is also an honorary member of NAFA.

Patrick’s idea and initiative and the teamwork of a group of equally passionate experts led to the official classification of falconry as ‘intangible cultural heritage’ during the General Assembly of UNESCO on 16 November 2010.