Golden Eagle

A Different World

Flying a Golden Eagle is not simply “bigger falconry.” It’s a fundamentally different pursuit. The scale, the power, the danger, and the logistics involved elevate eagle falconry into its own category.

In the United States, only Master falconers with at least seven years of experience may legally possess a Golden Eagle for falconry. This isn’t arbitrary gatekeeping—it’s recognition that these birds require expertise that can only come from years of handling other raptors.

Golden Eagle falconry represents the oldest continuous tradition in the sport. The Kazakh and Kyrgyz berkutchi of Central Asia have hunted with Golden Eagles on horseback for an estimated two thousand years, a tradition recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the Western tradition, eagles were reserved for emperors under the medieval hierarchy of hawks. American eagle falconry emerged as a serious pursuit in the late twentieth century, concentrated in the open plains states where jackrabbit populations support the practice. Today, a small but dedicated community of Master falconers maintains this most demanding branch of the art.

Historical Context

Eagle falconry has ancient roots. In Central Asia, the Kazakh and Kyrgyz peoples have hunted with Golden Eagles (called “berkutchi”) for centuries, taking foxes and even wolves on the frozen steppes.

In the Western tradition, eagles were reserved for emperors and kings—not just as status symbols, but because only royalty had the resources (land, staff, game) to properly maintain and fly these birds.

Hunting Capability

The Golden Eagle is the only falconry bird capable of consistently taking large mammalian prey:

• Jackrabbits — The primary quarry for American eagle falconry
• Foxes — Traditional quarry in Central Asian falconry
• Coyotes — Controversial but possible with experienced birds
• Hares — Both cottontails and larger species
• Large birds — Geese, cranes, sage grouse

An experienced female Golden Eagle hitting a jackrabbit at speed is one of nature’s most impressive sights. The power is almost incomprehensible until you witness it.

Eagle falconry in the American West typically targets jackrabbits across open sagebrush plains. The falconer drives to promising terrain, often with the eagle perched on a heavy-duty vehicle mount. Once afield, the eagle is cast from a reinforced glove—the sheer weight and power of takeoff is something smaller-bird falconers never experience. The eagle may soar on thermals, scanning for movement below, or follow from fence posts as the falconer walks. When a jackrabbit breaks from cover, the eagle powers into pursuit with stunning acceleration for its size. The impact of a large female eagle hitting quarry at speed is a visceral, primal moment that stays with you forever.

Training Considerations

Training an eagle requires modified approaches:

• Protective equipment: Heavy gloves (often welding gloves modified) are essential
• Different manning: You can’t simply carry an eagle on your fist for hours
• Physical demands: Handling a 10+ lb bird requires strength and stamina
• Vehicle considerations: Giant perches, custom vehicle setups
• Feeding costs: Eagles eat proportionally—budget accordingly

Facilities

Eagle housing must be substantial:

• Size: Much larger mews than for other raptors
• Construction: Must withstand powerful bating and footing
• Perches: Heavy-duty, padded, and stable
• Weathering area: Eagles need substantial outdoor space
• Security: Theft of valuable eagles is not unknown

Golden Eagle care is physically demanding in ways other falconry species are not. Morning rounds include checking heavy-duty perches and mews construction for damage—these powerful birds can bend metal and break wood. Feeding requires substantial quantities of rabbit, hare, or other mammalian meat, with portions scaled to the bird’s enormous frame. Foot health is monitored vigilantly, as bumblefoot in an eagle can be career-ending. The falconer must maintain the eagle’s trust through predictable, confident handling—wearing protective equipment at all times while remaining calm and deliberate. Equipment maintenance is also critical, as jesses, leashes, and gloves take extraordinary punishment from eagle-class talons.

The Commitment

Perhaps no other falconry bird demands as much as the Golden Eagle:

Is a Golden Eagle Right for You?

The Pinnacle

For those who reach the point where a Golden Eagle becomes a realistic consideration, the experience can be transformative. There is nothing else in falconry—perhaps nothing else in the human-animal relationship—quite like hunting with a Golden Eagle.

The ancient Kazakhs believed their eagles contained the spirits of warriors. After watching a trained eagle work, it’s easy to understand why. These are not pets, not even partners in the ordinary sense—they’re forces of nature that, through skill and patience, can be briefly aligned with human purpose.

The Golden Eagle represents the ultimate expression of falconry. Not everyone should fly one—but for those who should, there’s nothing else.