Apprentice Falconer Passes Exam on Third Attempt, Immediately Trapped by Red-Tail With More Experience

Newly licensed apprentice falconer Mitchell Gauntlet celebrated passing his state falconry exam on his third attempt by immediately trapping a passage red-tailed hawk that, based on its behavior and leg condition, appears to have significantly more falconry experience than he does. Gauntlet set a bal-chatri trap along a rural highway on his first day as a licensed apprentice. Within 20 minutes, a large female red-tail descended to the trap, calmly stepped onto it, and sat motionless while the nooses tightened around her toes. 'She didn't struggle at all,' Gauntlet said. 'She just stood on the trap and looked at me. There was a pause where I was supposed to feel triumphant, but instead I felt like she was evaluating me.' Examination by a veterinarian revealed faint wear marks on both legs consistent with previous anklet placement, and the bird's calm demeanor during handling suggested extensive prior human contact. 'This hawk has done this before,' said raptor veterinarian Dr. Mara Talon. 'Based on the leg condition and her complete lack of fear response, I would estimate she has been trapped, manned, flown, and released at least once, possibly twice. She is more experienced at this than your apprentice.' Gauntlet has named the hawk Professor and reports that the manning process has been 'unsettlingly easy.' The hawk stepped to the glove on day two, accepted food without hesitation, and has shown no fear response to household sounds. 'I'm supposed to be training her,' Gauntlet said. 'But honestly, she's training me. She gives me a look when I tie the wrong knot. She knows things I don't. I'm an apprentice and my bird is a journeyman.' Gauntlet's sponsor has described the pairing as 'perfect, actually,' noting that 'the hawk will teach him more than I ever could.'