Equipment & Housing

Assembling your falconry equipment is one of the most tangible and satisfying steps in preparing for your first bird, but it also requires strategic thinking about where to invest your money and where to save it. The total startup cost for equipment, excluding mews construction, typically ranges from four hundred to eight hundred dollars for a basic kit that covers everything you need for daily management and hunting.

This includes a quality leather glove, anklets and jesses, a leash and swivel, bells, an accurate digital scale, at least two perches, a bath pan, and a falconry bag. Add a telemetry system and the budget climbs by two hundred to eight hundred dollars depending on whether you choose a basic VHF setup or a GPS-enabled unit. These numbers are manageable for most aspiring falconers, but understanding which items deserve premium investment and which can be purchased at entry-level prices prevents both overspending and dangerous corner-cutting.

The three items where quality matters most are your glove, your telemetry system, and your scale. Your glove is the primary interface between you and your bird, used every single day for manning, training, and hunting. A poorly fitting or cheaply made glove reduces your ability to feel the bird's grip tension, which is an important communication signal, and provides inadequate protection from talons that can puncture thin leather with ease.

Invest in a well-made leather gauntlet from a reputable falconry supplier and break it in thoroughly before your bird arrives. Your telemetry system is your safety net against losing your bird. A dead battery or weak signal during a hunting session can mean the difference between recovering a wayward hawk and losing it permanently. Your scale must be accurate to at least one gram for buteos and ideally to one-tenth of a gram for smaller species, because weight management decisions that affect your bird's health and responsiveness depend on precise daily measurements.

Where you can save money without compromising safety or effectiveness is on items that are easily replaced or upgraded as you gain experience. Your first hawking bag does not need to be a custom-made leather masterpiece. A functional canvas bag with multiple pockets works perfectly well while you figure out what pocket layout and carrying style suits your hunting terrain.

Perches can be built from PVC pipe, wood, and AstroTurf for a fraction of the cost of commercial options, and many experienced falconers prefer their homemade perches to store-bought alternatives. Bells, swivels, and leashes are relatively inexpensive regardless of quality level, so buy reliable versions without overthinking the purchase. The key principle is to invest heavily in items that directly affect bird safety and daily handling, while being practical about everything else.

Many first-time falconers make the mistake of buying everything at once before they fully understand what they need. A better approach is to acquire your essential equipment in phases that match your progress through the licensing process. Start with study materials and your mews construction plan while you are preparing for the exam. Build or purchase your perches, glove, and basic furniture while your mews is under construction.

Add your telemetry system, jesses, and remaining equipment after your facility inspection is complete and you are close to trapping your first bird. This phased approach lets you spread costs over several months and gives you time to research each item thoroughly, seek recommendations from your sponsor, and take advantage of used equipment that becomes available through your falconry club. Experienced falconers frequently sell or pass along gear in good condition, and buying secondhand can reduce your total startup investment significantly.