Anthony Williams is the epitome of versatility when it comes to the bird dog world. Growing up in Queens wasn’t going to dissuade him from his goals of hunting, running bird dogs, and flying a hawk. His initial exposure to birds was raising pigeons in urban New York, followed by his first experiences with falconry in an overgrown junkyard. This eventually led him toward bird dogs, where Anthony developed a love for the versatile breeds and also became a hound trial judge. Now, he has wirehaired Teckels, a Drahthaar, and a wirehaired Vizsla in addition to his hawks.
We follow a few rabbit trails with Anthony in discussing raising pigeons in the inner city, including pigeons that race and those that perform somersaults in the air. Many of us become familiar with pigeons during the course of training a pointing dog, but raising and competing with pigeons is a whole universe unto itself.
Turning to falconry, we discuss the various aspects of hunting with a bird of prey and how different species are particularly well-suited for different game and terrain. For example, hawks make great urban or suburban birds, but falcons are at their best when given lots of room to fly on the prairie or in the desert. Even the way in which the birds attack and kill their prey is different between species, so knowing your quarry is a key part in deciding which facet of falconry is right for you.
As always, we explore some of the unique language around falconry, such as the difference between hawking and falconry, why a male hawk is called a tiercel, and how the term “bird dog” actually refers to falconry rather than the pursuit of game birds.
Returning the discussion to dogs, we discuss the role of a dog in a partnership with a raptor and how it differs from hunting over a dog with a shotgun. We talk about the traits that work well and those that don’t, what’s expected of the dog, and how to train them for the task of hunting for a hawk or falcon.
Finally, Anthony shares some candid advice and wisdom on how to decide if you’re really up for the commitment of falconry—and if you’re serious about it, where to start learning more and taking your first steps toward becoming a falconer.
