Falconry Apprentice Study Guide
Exam Questions with Complete
Solutions
True or false. The Aylmeri jess is safer for the hawk than the traditional jess. - Answer-
True. Aylmeri jesses are a legal requirement [50 CFR 21.299g)(2)(i)] and consists of
two sets (one for each leg) of three pieces: 1) a bracelet or cuff (including grommets),
2)a removable slitless field jess, and 3) a removable swivel-slitted jess for the mews and
the perch.
True or false. The goshawk needs longer field jesses than does the longing. - Answer-
True. The goshawk is a "bird of the fist", that is to say that typically, goshawks are
carried on the fist when hunting, while the longwing is released the moment it is
unhooded.
True or false. The common dog-leash snap-swivel is both a reliable and convenient
swivel for attaching the jesses of a hawk to its leash. - Answer-False. This type of swivel
is unreliable since jesses work out of the clip easily. The snap swivel is dangerous since
it is so heavy. The best swivels are custom-made figure eight's or heavy duty, stainless
steel, salt-water fishing swivels of the manufactured by Sampo.
True or false. The use of a piece of well-maintained bungee cord, shock cord, or strip of
inner tube as part of a leash will help prevent injured or broken legs. - Answer-True.
True or false. The best leash material is leather. - Answer-False. Leather is the
traditional material for leashes. However, recent advances in materials have made
nylon "parachute cord" or "kernmantle" type ropes viable and attractive alternatives
since they are less subject to weathering and deteriorating from exposure to rain,
bating, mutes, and food decay products.
A good perch for preventing feather damage in accipiters and buteos is . . . - Answer-a
bow perch.
The block is used for longwings; the bow perch for accipiters and buteos. The rationale
is based upon . . . - Answer-Health, comfort, and tradition. These perches were
designed to accommodate the foot shape, conformation and the natural perches
generally preferred by the hawks. Longwings tend to stand flat-footed, while accipiters
and buteos tend to perch on tree limbs.
, The diameter of a longing block perch across the top is . . . - Answer-determined by the
size of the leg and the length of the jesses.
Of the following, which is the best description of an outdoor bow perch for an
apprentice's tethered red-tail? - Answer-a half-inch diameter manila rope covering a
quarter-inch steel bow.
A creance is a . . . - Answer-light, strong line used to control a raptor during early
training.
True or false. One end of the creance should be anchored, the other end to the hawk's
swivel. - Answer-True. Until recently, swivels were the "weak link" in the chain, and
earlier texts advise against including the swivel with the creance. The advent of the ball
bearing, stainless steel, salt water models, like the Sampo changed that.
Which of the following objects would function best as an anchor for a new apprentice's
red-tail on a creance?
a. a pair of old running shoes
b. a goal post
c. a tree
d. the falconer's hand - Answer-The falconer's hand. The trainer should use a strong
but light line and attached the free end to something that will gradually slow the hawk
and bring it to the ground.
True or false. A well-padded horseshoe is an acceptable lure for a longwing. - Answer-
False. Although classic works recommended this and similar items, modern falconers
take a dim view of this device. In training it is necessary for longwings to strike the lure
in the air and a heavy lure is not only difficult to swing properly but it likely to discourage
the hawk. The weight of the lure should not be more than the weight of a pidgin - about
eight ounces.
In the field, it is important to have the following equipment. . . - Answer-The lure is the
one truly indispensable piece of field equipment. An escaped or reticent hawk can be
taken when a lure is available.
True or false. A lure with weight attached is almost always preferred to a one-piece lure.
- Answer-True. The falconer should always hold onto the lure line. Should the hawk rip
the lure and lure line away from the falconer it is true that a swinging weight will always
bring a hawk to the ground faster than a heavy lure with a weightless handle.
True or false. Tough, stringy meat should not be used to garnish a lure. - Answer-False.
Tough stringy meat is best for tying to lures as it stays there and is not so quickly eaten.
True or false. A good recovery lure for a red-tail closely resembles the hawk's normal
prey. - Answer-False. Or more like "not-necessarily." As long as the red-tail, or any
Exam Questions with Complete
Solutions
True or false. The Aylmeri jess is safer for the hawk than the traditional jess. - Answer-
True. Aylmeri jesses are a legal requirement [50 CFR 21.299g)(2)(i)] and consists of
two sets (one for each leg) of three pieces: 1) a bracelet or cuff (including grommets),
2)a removable slitless field jess, and 3) a removable swivel-slitted jess for the mews and
the perch.
True or false. The goshawk needs longer field jesses than does the longing. - Answer-
True. The goshawk is a "bird of the fist", that is to say that typically, goshawks are
carried on the fist when hunting, while the longwing is released the moment it is
unhooded.
True or false. The common dog-leash snap-swivel is both a reliable and convenient
swivel for attaching the jesses of a hawk to its leash. - Answer-False. This type of swivel
is unreliable since jesses work out of the clip easily. The snap swivel is dangerous since
it is so heavy. The best swivels are custom-made figure eight's or heavy duty, stainless
steel, salt-water fishing swivels of the manufactured by Sampo.
True or false. The use of a piece of well-maintained bungee cord, shock cord, or strip of
inner tube as part of a leash will help prevent injured or broken legs. - Answer-True.
True or false. The best leash material is leather. - Answer-False. Leather is the
traditional material for leashes. However, recent advances in materials have made
nylon "parachute cord" or "kernmantle" type ropes viable and attractive alternatives
since they are less subject to weathering and deteriorating from exposure to rain,
bating, mutes, and food decay products.
A good perch for preventing feather damage in accipiters and buteos is . . . - Answer-a
bow perch.
The block is used for longwings; the bow perch for accipiters and buteos. The rationale
is based upon . . . - Answer-Health, comfort, and tradition. These perches were
designed to accommodate the foot shape, conformation and the natural perches
generally preferred by the hawks. Longwings tend to stand flat-footed, while accipiters
and buteos tend to perch on tree limbs.
, The diameter of a longing block perch across the top is . . . - Answer-determined by the
size of the leg and the length of the jesses.
Of the following, which is the best description of an outdoor bow perch for an
apprentice's tethered red-tail? - Answer-a half-inch diameter manila rope covering a
quarter-inch steel bow.
A creance is a . . . - Answer-light, strong line used to control a raptor during early
training.
True or false. One end of the creance should be anchored, the other end to the hawk's
swivel. - Answer-True. Until recently, swivels were the "weak link" in the chain, and
earlier texts advise against including the swivel with the creance. The advent of the ball
bearing, stainless steel, salt water models, like the Sampo changed that.
Which of the following objects would function best as an anchor for a new apprentice's
red-tail on a creance?
a. a pair of old running shoes
b. a goal post
c. a tree
d. the falconer's hand - Answer-The falconer's hand. The trainer should use a strong
but light line and attached the free end to something that will gradually slow the hawk
and bring it to the ground.
True or false. A well-padded horseshoe is an acceptable lure for a longwing. - Answer-
False. Although classic works recommended this and similar items, modern falconers
take a dim view of this device. In training it is necessary for longwings to strike the lure
in the air and a heavy lure is not only difficult to swing properly but it likely to discourage
the hawk. The weight of the lure should not be more than the weight of a pidgin - about
eight ounces.
In the field, it is important to have the following equipment. . . - Answer-The lure is the
one truly indispensable piece of field equipment. An escaped or reticent hawk can be
taken when a lure is available.
True or false. A lure with weight attached is almost always preferred to a one-piece lure.
- Answer-True. The falconer should always hold onto the lure line. Should the hawk rip
the lure and lure line away from the falconer it is true that a swinging weight will always
bring a hawk to the ground faster than a heavy lure with a weightless handle.
True or false. Tough, stringy meat should not be used to garnish a lure. - Answer-False.
Tough stringy meat is best for tying to lures as it stays there and is not so quickly eaten.
True or false. A good recovery lure for a red-tail closely resembles the hawk's normal
prey. - Answer-False. Or more like "not-necessarily." As long as the red-tail, or any
