NH SCHOOL OF FALCONRY

Although a falconry school could not be such without raptors, it is a pair of dogs who complete the hunting partnership here. Dogs who work with raptors to find game are an important part of the falconry equation. They are called, no matter what breed they are, HAWKDOGS. Our hawkdog partners, shown here flanked by a white gyrfalcon and a peregrine, are both Gordon Setters. In past years, Nancy and Jim have used German Wirehaired Pointers and a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, but when it became difficult to replace the wirehairs, they turned to Gordon Setters from nearby Damon's Kennels of Washington, NH. Buckethead and Rain are uncle and nephew and ably fill the role of "finder of gamebirds" during the hunts. They are gentle, slower of foot than English setters, and have superior noses for locating the prey. When they fall into their points, you KNOW, and the hawk KNOWS, that there will soon be a flush of prey for the raptor to pursue and, hopefully, take.

Primary location: Pepperell United States