First published in 2002 and an abiding favourite ever since, this new, updated version includes new photographs and a number of paintings by the author’s son, Mark Upton, a well-known and highly talented artist specialising in hawks, hounds and horses, and himself a dedicated falconer.
Delve into the mystique of the tradition of falconry in the Middle East. Since pre-Islamic times, Arabia has had a proud history of flying hawks, including sakers, lanners and peregrines. From Morocco to Pakistan, falconers, princes and sheikhs come together at hunting camps to share their experiences and techniques for trapping hawks and flying them at quarry. Whether the hawking party involves a handful or hundreds of men, they sit around the campfire to discuss their day, tell stories and prepare their hawks for the next day of hunting.
Whether the prey is the bountiful houbara bustard, the stone curlew or the desert hare, Arab falconers train their prized falcons to be successful hunters of their chosen quarry. Using traditional techniques such as hooding and modern developments like telemetry, Arab falconers find success and satisfaction in the ‘sport’ of falconry. They have much to share about their way of life, past and present.
Arab Falconry explores their stories. With a personal account by the author, Roger Upton, including excerpts from his own diaries following his adventures on hawking trips over decades, this book provides a real glimpse into the world of Arab falconry, which is rarely documented in the West.
(This edition is not for sale in North America. Go to www.hancockwildlife.org to order copies in USA and Canada.)
Franci –
I can’t wait to buy at least two copies of your book. Where can I get it. My Daddy was bemicong a falconer (don’t know if I spelled that right). But I was down south visiting him and he had been at it a long time and had sponsers. He was keeping excellent records. Weighing the bird everyday and weighting the food. Placing the bird on a pertch walking (I don’t know exactly how far) blowing some type of whistle and the falcon would fly and get the raw meat my Daddy had for him. I was so impressed. He has a farm and was also making his own leather and different size gests?(don’t know if I spelled that right either) See I don’t know much, but I was impressed with the discipline in what he was doing and he has always loved, been interested, and had all types of animals and birds long before I was ever born. But I love to read up and find out more about what he’s (my Daddy) doing and be able to talk or listen to him and really know what he’s talking about. I want a copy of your book and I want to get a copy for him too. It’d be great if you could sign one for him and one for me. That may be asking too much. I can pay using paypal. His Name is Al McCraney and I’m Janice McCraney Rines. But leave out the Rines and just make it Janice McCraney if you can. Continued success and I really admire your gumption. You go girl.