Boland Falconry Club

Raptors under falconry conditions need to be housed, fed, trained, exercised properly and used for hunting according to recognized rules for falconry.

In accordance with the above principal, most provincial falconry clubs allow “A grade” falconers a maximum of three hawks and “B grade” falconers a maximum of two hawks as permanent establishment unless by special permit. More hawks may, however, be kept for a period not longer than 7 days by any one falconer, without prior permission, provided that he has adequate housing etc, should he be asked look after such additional birds by a colleague for any valid reason. Any period longer than this period will only be allowed with the necessary temporary keeping permit. The exception to this would be:

a)  Those hawks held for a breeding program, thus not counted as falconry birds.

b) Birds held for bone-fide educational displays, for conservation purposes.

Alien hawks should not be released back into nature or hacked back in any province of South Africa where they do not occur naturally, but should be passed onto another falconer approved by the provincial falconry club, returned to the area where they do occur naturally, or handed to their club or to whomsoever their club may nominate.

Hawks that are no longer required may be hacked back to the wild, passed onto another falconer approved by their club or passed to their club or to whomsoever their club may nominate.

Housing and Equipment

1. All falconry birds must be housed in a secure and safe environment to afford the birds’ adequate protection from the elements and any stray animals which could harm them.
2. All falconry furniture (equipment) must be of the highest standard to ensure both the safety and welfare of the raptors used under falconry conditions.
3. Any Committee Member of a provincial falconry club may inspect a falconer’s equipment.
4. Falconers must use Almery jesses with only the anklet, free running thongs or cords, without slits, when flying their hawks free.

Identification tags

Falconers may be required to attach numbered “tamper-proof” rings on legs of the hawks or have them micro chipped.