Words by Christiana Roussel
Photos courtesy of The Greenbrier, Reynolds Lake Oconee, Southall Farm and Inn, Broadfield at Sea Island
For more than 4,000 years, falconry has been practiced by kings and commoners alike—an ancient art that pairs human skill with the raw, wild instinct of raptors. Born in the open grasslands of Central Asia, it was a means of survival as much as a pursuit of beauty: Trained birds of prey worked alongside hunters to provide food for their families. Over centuries, the practice became a privilege of nobility, seeing its techniques refined and rituals codified. By the medieval era, falconry had evolved into a symbol of prestige as one’s status was often judged by the species of bird one flew. Today, in a modern world of high-speed conveniences, the sport remains one of the last truly elemental collaborations between human and animal and often includes a range of birds of prey such as Harris’s hawks and Eurasian owls, in addition to falcons. In the Southeast, a handful of resorts have become stewards of this legacy, inviting guests to slip on a gauntlet and step into the role of falconer, if only for a day.
Reynolds Lake Oconee — Greensboro, Georgia
Set along 12,000 acres of shimmering water and pine-fringed shoreline just 85 miles from Atlanta, Reynolds Lake Oconee offers a falconry program that’s both personal and exhilarating. At the resort’s Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, guests are introduced to the birds known for their remarkable intelligence. The Falconry Foundation Beginner Lesson, which master falconer Linda Spence likes to call “take a hawk for a walk,” culminates in each participant donning a custom falconry glove and being photographed with one of the trained birds. Spence also likes to bring out Molly, their Eurasian eagle-owl, one of the largest owl species in the world. Visitors learn to issue the subtle arm signals that send the hawk soaring into the tree line before it circles back to land, talons first, on a leather glove. Sessions often take place in the early morning when the air is cool and the lake is still, heightening the drama of each flight.
“I feel like I get paid to have a hobby and have a lot of fun, doing what I do. But I’ll add this: that if you take anything away, while we are out and about during the educational process, and it gives you a different thought process on the birds, then that might just save the life of one in the wild.” – Master Falconer Linda Spence
Southall Farm & Inn — Franklin, Tennessee
Known for its holistic approach to the land, Southall integrates falconry into its broader mission of ecological stewardship. Surrounded by orchards, wildflower meadows, and rolling hills, guests gain not only a hands-on encounter with birds of prey but also an understanding of their vital role in controlling pest populations and maintaining ecological balance. Master falconer David Hudson oversees the program, which often features Harris’s hawks or red-tailed hawks, and sessions are kept deliberately small, allowing for personalized instruction and ample interaction. As you walk the property, a hawk shadows your path from the treetops, only to descend in a controlled dive that seems to defy physics. Conversations with the handlers delve into breeding, the challenges of training, and the deep, daily trust required between bird and falconer.
“We start each session by talking about the history of (falconry): how you become a falconer, how I got into it, how I acquire, train, and hunt with the birds. Then I get out my gear for the hands-on experience. I have figured out, over the years, that I have to get all my talking done before I get the birds out, because people stop listening to me then and only want to focus on the birds.” – Master Falconer David Hudson
The sport remains one of the last truly elemental collaborations between human and animal.
The Greenbrier — White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Steeped in more than two centuries of luxury hospitality, The Greenbrier blends its historic elegance with a falconry program that commands the same sense of awe as its grand facade. The Allegheny Mountains form a majestic backdrop as guests meet an array of raptors—falcons, hawks, eagles, and owls—some capable of diving at over 200 mph. Introductory lessons at the resort’s Greenbrier Outfitters cover the history of the sport, anatomy of the birds, and ethical considerations of falconry today, while advanced outings take participants into the surrounding countryside for field demonstrations. The experience is at once tactile, as you feel the weight of a hawk’s landing, and almost meditative, as you stand still in crisp mountain air, eyes skyward, awaiting the next sweep of wings.
Biltmore Estate — Asheville, North Carolina
On the 8,000 acres of forests, gardens, and fields that comprise the vast grounds of the Biltmore Estate, the falconry experience feels like stepping into a living tableau. Sessions take place with master falconer Jeff Curtis in a quiet meadow or woodland clearing adjacent to the Inn on Biltmore Estate, where guests are introduced to a cast of winged ambassadors such as Sam Adams, a Harris’s hawk; Ray, a red-tailed hawk; and Oskar, a barn owl.. The estate’s sweeping vistas add an almost cinematic drama to each flight, whether an owl streaks low over the grass or a hawk climbs high into the Carolina blue before stooping in a breathtaking dive. Beyond the thrill, participants leave with a new appreciation for the precision, patience, and care that define this ancient sport.
The experience is at once tactile, as you feel the weight of a hawk’s landing, and almost meditative, as you stand still in crisp mountain air, eyes skyward, awaiting the next sweep of wings.
Broadfield at Sea Island — Brunswick, Georgia
Tucked away in the marshlands near Woodbine, Broadfield is Sea Island’s 5,800-acre sporting club and lodge, a sanctuary for the timeless traditions of the Southern outdoors. Here, falconry can be an intimate half-day outing spent calling a hawk to your glove or actually hunting (in the designated season) with several of the 10 birds on site. Led by master falconers Chris Kennedy and Paige Hansen, guests can explore the coastal woods and tidal flats as the Harris’s hawk ranges ahead, chasing bobwhite quail and Eastern gray squirrel, responding to the falconer’s signals with startling precision. The salty tang of the air, the shimmer of the spartina grass, and the sudden flash of a bird in flight combine for a sensory experience unlike any other. Exclusive to Sea Island guests, Broadfield’s program offers a rare chance to be a part of the sport in its most active form, where centuries-old techniques meet the living landscape of the Georgia coast.
“We’ll go out with our German wirehaired pointer and some male Harris’s hawks and turn them all loose. The birds have learned that when the dog goes on point, we’ll flush the birds, and the hawk comes in from on high.” – Master Falconer Paige Hansen
Writer’s Field Notes:
If you ever have the chance to try your hand at falconry: DO IT!
Researching this story gave me the phenomenal opportunity to experience the art of falconry in a number of settings, all with truly experienced handlers. The one thing these professionals all have in common is a true passion and respect for these avian hunters. While they know each species intimately—and all the birds have names and personalities—they are never considered domesticated pets. As each handler will tell you, once the bird is released from your hand to fly off, the birds have the free will to decide if they will come back. The birds’ knowledge that their handlers will always have a treat upon their return is an incentive, to be sure, but not a guarantee.
No special equipment is needed for you to try this sport of kings. Just bring a sense of curiosity, a willingness to listen and follow instructions, and a heart for adventure. You won’t be disappointed.
