7 Best Falconry Resources for Beginners (2026)

Best for: Anyone serious about falconry who wants one reference that covers everything.

What sets it apart: Written by Frank Beebe and Harold Webster, this is the book that experienced falconers recommend more than any other. At 900+ pages, it covers every North American raptor species used in falconry, with detailed sections on trapping, training, conditioning, housing, health, and hunting techniques. Most falconers consider it the single best investment in their falconry education.

Strengths:

• Unmatched depth and breadth - no other single volume covers this much
• Species-specific training advice rather than generic raptor handling
• Written by practitioners with decades of field experience
• Covers topics like weight management and conditioning that beginners struggle with most

Limitations:

• Expensive - typically $80 to $150 depending on edition and condition
• Dense reading - not a casual weekend book
• Some sections reflect older practices; supplement with current regulations
• Often out of print; may need to buy used or wait for restocks

Best for: Finding a sponsor, attending field meets, and becoming part of the falconry community.

What sets it apart: NAFA is the largest falconry organization in the US, and membership is the fastest way to meet experienced falconers willing to sponsor apprentices. Their annual field meet and regional events are where most sponsor-apprentice relationships start. Members also get the Journal of North American Falconers Association, liability insurance, and access to a network that stretches across every state.

Strengths:

• Direct access to General and Master falconers who sponsor apprentices
• Annual and regional field meets where you can observe and learn in person
• Liability insurance included with membership
• Journal with peer-quality articles on training, health, and field techniques
• Political advocacy that protects falconry rights at the federal level

Limitations:

• Membership alone does not guarantee a sponsor - you still need to show up and demonstrate commitment
• Annual field meet location varies, requiring travel
• Some state-level issues are handled by state clubs, not NAFA

Best for: Finding sponsors in your area, understanding your state's specific permit process, and attending local field meets.

What sets it apart: While NAFA operates nationally, state clubs are where local connections happen. Most states have at least one active falconry club, and many have multiple regional chapters. State clubs host their own field meets, coordinate with state wildlife agencies on regulation changes, and maintain rosters of falconers willing to mentor newcomers. Your state club president or membership coordinator is often the fastest path to meeting a potential sponsor.

Strengths:

• Sponsors near you who hunt the same terrain and quarry you will
• State-specific permit guidance - every state has different rules
• Local field meets you can attend without major travel
• Affordable - most clubs are $15 to $40 per year

Limitations:

• Club activity varies by state - some are very active, others minimal
• A few states do not have an organized club at all
• Finding the right club may require asking NAFA or checking our state-by-state guide

Best for: Self-study, exam preparation, and getting answers to specific falconry questions without spending money.

What sets it apart: The Modern Apprentice is the most thorough free falconry resource on the internet. It covers topics that books often gloss over - daily bird management, common beginner mistakes, what to expect during your apprenticeship, and how to prepare for the falconry exam. The site is maintained by an experienced falconer and is regularly updated.

Strengths:

• Completely free with no registration required
• Covers practical apprenticeship topics that books skip
• Helpful for falconry exam preparation
• Regularly updated with current regulations and practices
• Honest about the realities and challenges of falconry

Limitations:

• Website design is dated and navigation can be clunky
• Not a substitute for a comprehensive textbook like Beebe and Webster
• No video content - all text-based
• One person's perspective, though well-informed

Best for: People who want to try falconry before committing years of time and thousands of dollars.

What sets it apart: Several licensed falconers across the US offer half-day and full-day experience sessions where you handle trained raptors, learn basic commands, and sometimes participate in a hunt. This is the fastest way to find out whether falconry is genuinely right for you - or whether the romantic idea does not match the reality of daily bird care.

Strengths:

• Hands-on time with trained birds - not just watching
• Talk directly with a working falconer about what the lifestyle is really like
• Low commitment - one day, no ongoing obligation
• Many experience providers are also willing to discuss sponsorship

Limitations:

• Not available in every state - concentrated in certain regions
• Costs $100 to $300 depending on duration and location
• Quality varies significantly between providers
• A single day cannot teach you falconry - it is an introduction only

Best for: Apprentices who want a second perspective on bird behavior, training, and daily management.

What sets it apart: Where North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks is encyclopedic, The Compleat Falconer is opinionated and practical. Beebe writes from decades of personal experience and is not afraid to say what works and what does not. The sections on reading bird behavior and understanding raptor psychology are some of the best in any falconry text. It is shorter, cheaper, and more readable than the big textbook.

Strengths:

• Strong on bird behavior and raptor psychology
• More affordable and accessible than the main textbook ($30 to $60)
• Opinionated and practical rather than purely academic
• Excellent companion to the Beebe and Webster textbook

Limitations:

• Not a standalone replacement for a comprehensive reference
• Some advice reflects Pacific Northwest falconry specifically
• Out of print editions can be hard to find

Best for: Apprentices who need to build a mews, weathering yard, or perch stands and want detailed construction plans to work from.

What sets it apart: Building a mews is one of the biggest tasks (and expenses) for new falconers. TedsWoodworking provides 16,000+ woodworking plans covering sheds, enclosures, outdoor structures, and workshop furniture. While these are not falconry-specific plans, the shed and enclosure blueprints are directly adaptable for mews construction. Every plan includes step-by-step instructions, cut lists, material lists, and 3D diagrams.

Strengths:

• Massive library with plans for every skill level
• Shed and enclosure plans adapt well for mews construction
• Detailed cut lists and material lists reduce waste and mistakes
• One-time purchase with lifetime access
• Includes workbench and workshop plans for equipment building

Limitations:

• Not falconry-specific - you need to adapt plans to meet federal mews requirements
• Quality varies across the library - some plans are better than others
• You still need to understand mews ventilation and predator-proofing standards separately