Video by Lawrence Journal-World photographer Richard Gwin (see below)

Related story by Karen Dillon: Falconry rare in Kansas, with only about 50 licensed practitioners statewide

Falconry is an ancient form of
hunting, estimated to be about 4,000
years old, and it was dubbed the
original sport of kings.

While we don’t have kings in Kansas,
it does take a special kind of person
to be a falconer.

Only about 50 Kansans have the
required permits and licenses to own
and hunt with predatory birds, said
Jessica Winebarger, a senior
administrative assistant with the
Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks
and Tourism.

“Not a lot of people do this here,”
Winebarger said.

There are several reasons, Winebarger
said, and one of those is the amount
of time.

“This is really a lifestyle,” she
said.

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