World Scout Jamboree disaster blamed on South Korean government    Hajj Ministry warns against fake companies    Saudi Arabia starting direct flights between Dammam and Najaf    Egyptian delegation arrives in Israel to revive deadlocked ceasefire and hostage talks    Minister of Defense celebrates graduation of King Abdulaziz military college cadets    TGA introduces uniform for bus drivers    Ministry uncovers misuse of mosque utilities during inspection    Health Ministry reports 15 food poisoning cases linked to one establishment in Riyadh    Saudi Arabia supports UNRWA's efforts for Palestinian refugees, urges donor commitment    Supreme Court appears ready to reject Trump's immunity claims    Indian voters battle extreme temperatures as intense heat wave hits region    'Zarqa Al Yamama': Riyadh premieres first Saudi opera    Riyadh Season announces first overseas event with boxing gala in Los Angeles    Al-Ahsa Airport to double capacity to accommodate 100 million passengers a year    Al Hilal's comeback effort falls short in AFC Champions League semi-finals    Belgian man whose body produces alcohol in rare condition acquitted of drunk driving    Australian police launch manhunt for Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger    Spice Girls reunite at Posh's 50th birthday    Swedish rider Eckermann wins 2024 Show Jumping World Cup in Riyadh    Aspiring fencer Josh Brayden aims for Olympic glory    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Falconry: Bullet-proof games hunting
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 28 - 02 - 2012

The ancient sport of falconry (Qans) is a tradition that is still enjoyed today in Saudi Arabia. Admired for their loyalty, beauty and mastery of the hunt, falcons have long been intricate part of the Arab heritage.
Falcons, when soaring high in the sky, can spot any movement of the prey more than a mile away. Its sharp prehensile claws and dagger-like bark make it almost impossible for the prey to escape. Falcons range from 15 to 19 inches in size. Well-cared for falcons can live for 15 years or more.
When not hunting falcons feed on poultry, namely pigeons and chickens. They only need water about once a week in the winter because they get water from the blood of their prey. Falcons molt during summer, and within a month they get new feathers.
“Saker” (Falcon chirrup) and “Shaheen” (Falcon peregrines) are the two main species used for hunting. The Saker is most popular because it is well-suited to desert hawking, according the website Arab Hunter.
The female, larger and more powerful than the male, is a brave, patient hunter with keen eyesight, and copes better under stress. The temperamental Peregrine has brittle feathers that are easily broken. Again the female of this species is preferred for hunting purposes.
Wild falcons are caught during autumn migration and are trained for the hunting season that begins in early November and lasts until March or April. The training period may take a month.
Slowly the falcon learns to accept food from the trainer's hand, adapting to both the touch and sound of her master's voice. The next training session takes place in the desert in the late afternoon or early evening.
The best time to hunt is from sunrise till noon. Both the Sakers and the Peregrines kill in the air and on the ground.
When in pursuit, the Peregrine flies very fast, hovers above her victim and makes a sudden swoop downward at tremendous speed. Shaheen is extremely fast over short distances, but the Saker has more endurance.
In the evening, the hunting party clean their game, cook it over an open fire and then sit and discuss the day's bunt, with each falconer bragging about the skill and courage of his falcons.


Clic here to read the story from its source.