Greenbrier River Trail

WHAT IS FALCONRY?Falconry, the art of flying trained birds of prey after wild quarry, is alive and well in the United States. Imagine the thrill of walking through a field with a falcon flying above your head at 1,000 feet or higher. She is waiting for you to flush a pheasant from the bushes. You know it is there because your well trained pointers have indicated. When the falcon is in the proper position, you flush the game, the falcon turns and begins its head first dive. Your adrenaline is rushing. The next thing you know, the falcon hits the pheasant in the air, binds to it, then carries it to the ground where she will patiently await her reward. This is Falconry….

Picture yourself walking through a field hitting every piece of brush and trying to flush out rabbits. Your Harris Hawk follows you from tree to tree, waiting and anticipating the flushing of game. Suddenly a rabbit breaks from the brush, the hawk quickly takes off, and turns to chase the rabbit in aggressive pursuit. Eventually the rabbit out maneuvers the hawk, he turns in mid-air and returns to your glove for a small reward.

This is Falconry….

THE SPORT OF KINGS.   Historically, falconry was used as status symbol for the nobles of Medieval Europe, Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. The sport was mainly restricted to these classes due to the commitment of time, money, and space. Although the nobles would not train the birds themselves, they would pay Master Falconers extravagant sums of money. The Master of the Mews was in charge of obtaining, grooming, and keeping the best hawks in constant readiness for hunting. Thus, Falconry became the Sport of Kings!Within nomadic societies, birds of prey were not a status symbol. Instead, falcons were trapped and used to hunt small game during the winter months. These falcons helped to supplement their very limited diet.

Falconry Experiences

Beginners Lesson

The Greenbrier Falconry Beginners Lesson offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the 4,000-year-old sport of falconry, or “the sport of kings”. This incredible beginners lesson allows you to feel the thrill of working with majestic birds of prey. Most of our lesson takes place at our private bird chambers on the property of The Greenbrier. You will get the chance to interact with a variety of captive-bred, trained birds, including owls, falcons, and hawks.The lesson begins with a flying demonstration and a chance to learn about the fascinating history of this sport. You will be transported to our mews where you will meet the rest of our birds. After learning the appropriate techniques from our professional guides, you will get to hold a trained hawk on your fist. This lesson is truly a once in a lifetime experience!

Intermediate Lesson. Once you’ve had a taste of falconry during the beginner’s lesson, you’ll want to book an intermediate lesson — an amazing, hands-on excursion with a trained Harris Hawk. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll venture out onto one of The Greenbrier's scenic trails.Once there, you will don a falconry glove, and have a trained hawk placed on your gloved fist. Under supervision of our expert, you will cast the hawk into a nearby pine and watch as it follows you from tree to tree, returning right to your glove for a small reward. This is a once in a lifetime experience.