Recall Training for Hawks: Step by Step

By The Illegal Persecution of Birds of Prey
Comments 35
13 Jul 2026

Recall Training for Hawks: Step by Step

Why a Reliable Recall is Non-Negotiable

In falconry, the recall is the single most important behaviour you will ever teach your hawk. Without it, free flight is not just risky—it's irresponsible. A hawk that will not return to you is a hawk that may not survive. Whether you fly a Harris' hawk, a red-tailed hawk, or a goshawk, the principle remains the same: you must become the most rewarding thing in your bird's world. This guide walks you through a step-by-step process, from your living room to the open field, using food rewards as your primary tool.

Starting Indoors: Building the Association

Begin in a quiet, familiar indoor space with no distractions. Your hawk should be at its flying weight—hungry but not starving. You are looking for keen interest in food, not desperation.

Step 1: The Call and Reward. With your hawk on a perch or glove, hold a small piece of food—a tidbit of chick or quail—just out of reach. Use a consistent call, such as a whistle or a specific word. As soon as the hawk leans towards the food, say the call and immediately give the reward. Repeat ten to fifteen times per session.
Step 2: Short Hops. Once the hawk associates the call with food, place it on a perch a metre away. Call and offer the food from your glove. Reward every successful hop. Keep sessions short—five minutes maximum—and end on a positive note.
Step 3: The Creance. Introduce a creance (a light leash) for safety. This allows you to practise longer distances indoors without risk. Never pull the hawk; let it come willingly. If it hesitates, reduce the distance.

Moving Outdoors: Distractions and Distance

When your hawk recalls reliably indoors on the creance, it's time to step outside. Choose a quiet garden or a secluded field with minimal distractions. Wind, traffic, and other birds will test your hawk's focus.

Step 1: Familiar Ground. Start in an area your hawk knows. Use the creance again. Call from increasing distances—two metres, then five, then ten. Reward every recall, even if it takes a moment.
Step 2: Vary the Environment. Once confident in one spot, try a new location. Hawks can be location-specific, so proofing in different places builds a generalised behaviour.
Step 3: Fade the Creance. When your hawk comes without hesitation, remove the creance. Keep a food reward ready and call only when you are confident. If it fails, go back a step. Never punish a slow recall—that only teaches the hawk to avoid you.

Field Recalls: The Real Test

Free flight is the goal, but it comes with responsibility. You must be able to recall your hawk from a distance, often with distractions like rabbits or other birds. This is where your earlier work pays off.

Step 1: The Lure. For longer distances, use a lure—a weighted piece of food on a string. Swing it in a circle and call. The hawk should fly to the lure, where you allow it to eat a small reward.
Step 2: Recall to the Glove. Alternate between lure and glove recalls. The glove should always mean food. Use a clear, consistent signal.
Step 3: Distraction Training. Practise recall when your hawk is mildly distracted—perhaps when another bird flies over. Reward heavily for ignoring distractions. Gradually increase the challenge.

Troubleshooting Common Recall Problems

Even with the best training, recalls can falter. Here's how to address common issues.

Hawk ignores the call. Check its weight. It may be too heavy. Reduce food slightly and try again. Also, ensure your reward is high-value—fresh, warm food works best.
Hawk flies to a tree and stays. Do not chase. Wait. Call occasionally. When it comes down, reward generously. If it won't come, you may need to use a lure or wait until dusk when it is more motivated to return to the glove.
Hawk recalls but then flies off. This often means the reward is not sufficient. Increase the size or quality of the food reward. Also, end the session after a successful recall—don't keep flying.

Patience and Consistency: The Keys to Success

Recall training is not a race. Every hawk is an individual, and some will learn faster than others. The golden rule is simple: never call your hawk unless you can reward it. Every recall must end with food. If you call and the hawk doesn't come, you have taught it that the call can be ignored. So set your hawk up to succeed. Keep sessions short, rewards frequent, and your tone warm. In time, your hawk will see you not as a handler, but as the best part of its day. That bond, built on trust and food, is what makes British falconry so rewarding.

Training

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5 Comments

Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply
- John Abraham says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
  
  I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
  Reply
  - Robert Sonnysays Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am
    
    I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
    Reply
Robert Sonny says Jul 21, 2024 at 10:00am

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system
Reply

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