Resources & Recommended Reading
Books, organizations, and materials for serious study
The internet is full of information about falconry—some good, some dangerous. These resources have been vetted by experienced falconers and stand the test of time.
La educacion de calidad en cetreria depende de fuentes confiables. La desinformacion sobre el cuidado de rapaces, metodos de entrenamiento o requisitos legales puede poner en peligro tanto a las aves como a los aspirantes a cetreros. Los libros, organizaciones y materiales en linea recopilados aqui han sido recomendados por cetreros experimentados y representan las referencias mas fiables disponibles para estudiar biologia de rapaces, tecnicas de entrenamiento y el marco regulatorio que gobierna la cetreria en Norteamerica.
Esta biblioteca de recursos esta organizada en lectura esencial para la preparacion del examen, manuales de entrenamiento especificos por especie, organizaciones nacionales y estatales de cetreria, y referencias en linea verificadas. Ya sea que este construyendo conocimientos fundamentales como aspirante a aprendiz o profundizando su experiencia como cetrero general o maestro, estos materiales seleccionados apoyaran cada etapa de su educacion en cetreria.
Por qué esto importa
El conocimiento de la cetrería se ha transmitido tradicionalmente a través de la mentoría directa, y aunque esa transmisión personal sigue siendo invaluable, complementarla con libros bien elegidos y la participación activa en clubes acelera tu desarrollo y te expone a perspectivas y técnicas más allá de lo que cualquier mentor individual puede ofrecer.
Orden de lectura recomendado
Comienza con la guía de Libros Esenciales para construir tu biblioteca personal, empezando por los textos fundamentales que todo cetrero debería tener. Luego explora el directorio de Clubes y Organizaciones para encontrar comunidades cercanas donde puedas conectar con practicantes experimentados y posibles padrinos.
📖 Essential Reading
Start here. These books will prepare you for the exam and give you a solid foundation in falconry principles.
The Falconer’s Apprentice
Must Readby William C. Oakes
The gold standard introduction to falconry. Step-by-step guide to training a passage red-tailed hawk. Written by a master falconer with 40+ years of experience. If you read one book, make it this one.
Get on Amazon →North American Falconry & Hunting Hawks
Must Readby Frank Beebe & Harold Webster
THE definitive reference. 9th edition, two volumes, 832 pages covering everything from species to training to hunting. Every serious falconer owns this.
Get on Amazon →California Hawking Club Study Materials
Must ReadFreeby California Hawking Club
Comprehensive study materials available through the CHC website. Despite being California-focused, the content applies nationally. Many states model their exams on this material.
Find this book →A Rage for Falcons
by Stephen Bodio
Part memoir, part natural history. Beautifully written exploration of what draws people to falconry. Foreword by Helen Macdonald (H is for Hawk). Great for understanding the soul of the sport.
Get on Amazon →Dirt Hawking: A Rabbit & Hare Hawker’s Guide
by Joe Roy III
The ultimate guide to rabbit and hare hawking. Covers field tactics, weight management, where to find quarry, and decades of practical experience. Essential for anyone hunting lagomorphs.
Get on Amazon →🦅 Species-Specific Guides
Once you know what species you’ll be flying, these deeper dives become valuable.
Buteo Training Manual
by Tony Huston
Focused specifically on training buteos (Red-tails, Harris’s Hawks). Practical, step-by-step guidance from an experienced falconer.
The Harris’ Hawk Revolution
by Bob Dalton
Definitive guide to flying Harris’s Hawks. Covers their unique social nature and how to leverage it in training and hunting.
The Hunting Falcon
by Bruce Haak
Focus on longwing falconry with peregrines, prairies, and gyrs. For those moving beyond apprentice species.
American Kestrels in Modern Falconry
by Matthew Mullenix
The most comprehensive guide to Kestrel falconry. Essential if you’re considering this challenging small falcon.
🤝 Organizations
Joining these organizations connects you to the falconry community and supports the sport’s future.
North American Falconers Association (NAFA)
NationalThe largest falconry organization in North America. Membership includes the journal, access to events, and connection to the broader community.
Your State Falconry Club
State/RegionalMost states have dedicated clubs. These are your best resource for local sponsors, hunting land, and community. Find yours through NAFA or a web search.
The Peregrine Fund
ConservationConservation organization that has done extraordinary work restoring raptor populations. Supports education and research.
International Association for Falconry (IAF)
InternationalGlobal falconry organization. Useful for understanding falconry traditions worldwide and international conservation efforts.
🌐 Online Resources
Your State Wildlife Agency
OfficialThe official source for regulations, exam scheduling, and licensing. Rules vary by state—know yours.
Federal Falconry Regulations (50 CFR 21.82)
OfficialThe federal rules that overlay state regulations. Available online through the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Visit →Nafex (Falconry Forum)
CommunityLong-running online forum with years of archived discussions. Search before asking—most questions have been answered.
Visit →The Modern Apprentice
EducationComprehensive online resource for aspiring falconers. Well-organized information on getting started, licensing, training, and species.
Visit →⚠️ A Note on Online Information
YouTube videos, social media, and random websites can be hit or miss. Some are excellent; others are dangerously wrong. When in doubt, verify information against the books listed above or ask your sponsor. The falconry community has accumulated knowledge over thousands of years—respect that tradition.
🛠️ Equipment Vendors
We’re building a comprehensive vendor directory for equipment, breeders, and services. In the meantime, ask your sponsor for recommendations—they’ll know reputable suppliers in your area.
View Equipment Guides →