Falconry
I have been a practising falconer since 1984.
Falconry is reputed to be the oldest sport in history, the exact period is uncertain but it has been estimated that it began around 4000 years B.C. Again the origin is a subject of debate, some say that it's origins lie in China or Japan however recent archaelogical research in the middle east is revealing new evidence that humans were keeping birds of prey as far back as 10,000 B.C.
Despite knowing the exact location and time of falconry's origins, it is agreed that falconry originated as a method of subsistence hunting, rather than a sport - the true definition of Falconry is 'the hunting of wild quarry in it's natural state and habitat with trained birds of prey' - But it was the introduction of the gun in the 17th and 18th centuries that led to the decline in the popularity of Falconry. However modern day falconry has found new popularity amongst sportsman and is a popular sport in many countries around the world.
For a detailed look at Ancient and Medieval Falconry click here.
For a detailed listing of varous falconry related websites go to: