How to Train in the Traditional Way of Telwah

Telwah is the name given to the sport of hunting game using falcons or the art of training falcons for hunting. The sport requires significant investment and dedicated training. The period of apprenticeship would ideally last two years and a further seven years or more of practice is needed to master the art. Telwah has been deemed cruel by a number of animal welfare organisations worldwide.

The exact origins of falconry are unknown though historians believe it existed in the steppes of Mongolia, as far back as 6000BC. There is also evidence that humans used falcons for hunting in Arabia, the Middle East and Iran. The practice was born out of necessity, for survival, rather than sport. In later years, falconry, sometimes called hawking, spread to Greece, Italy and the rest of Europe. It then evolved into a status sport and was practiced by Kings and those of high social rank. It is only in the later years that falconry became popular in North America.

Head to the United Arab Emirates to study Telwah. Around the Middle East the sport still has the prestige it did in ancient times. The birds are kept and reared in captivity, then used for shows, and competitions. Resorts in Abu Dhabi offer guests the chance to attend live performances where they can watch the falcons obey commands to hunt, and take photos with the birds. Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara among a number of others is one such hotel that offers a raptor display.

A hunting falcon, also known as the raptor, must be obtained through the correct means. The bird has a twenty plus year lifespan and requires constant care, from feeding and grooming, to medical care. Extra care and cleaning is needed on hunting days. You would also need to factor in the cost of daily feeding and housing for the falcon, veterinary expenses, transport costs and time spent actually engaging in the sport, equipment to use for hunting, licensing fees and permits, access to legal hunting land and becoming a member of a group with other falconers.

Falconry takes many years to perfect and a great deal of commitment. The initial hunting training takes around six weeks. A time commitment of half an hour each day is required and outings happens three to six times a week during hunting season. You will need to climb through the ranks: an apprentice starts with one bird and must attend extensive training under a general or master falconer; a general falconer can have up to three birds at one time and can take on an apprentice after two years of holding the rank; a master falconer must have a minimum of five years' experience as a general falconer and have trained several raptor species for hunting.

Telwah or falconry is a blood sport and it is not enjoyed by everyone. The sport involves capturing and killing wild animals. In cases where a falcon returns with wounded prey, it will be your job as the falconer to kill it. The raptor will live a life in captivity, unable to fly freely and follow its natural instincts. As with many performing animals, there is global concern for the raptors, whose only captive purpose is sport and entertainment. There is also the element of the game that is killed in order for the sporting goals to be met. The sport has been banned due to its cruel practices, in countries such as Australia and all of Scandinavia.