The Ontario Hawking Club was founded in 1984 by a small group of dedicated falconers. Their goals in establishing the club were to protect and preserve the art of falconry in Ontario by:

• Providing communication and interaction between falconers in Ontario,
• Promoting high standards of practice and ethics,
• Working with the government and other organizations to promote the recognition of falconry as a legitimate field sport,
• Encouraging the conservation of birds of prey based on biologically sound management practices.

The Club is a strong proponent of effective and reasonable falconry regulations. Since the earliest days we have worked continuously with the Ministry of Natural Resources, Members of Parliament, the OFAH and other organizations to promote the acceptance and regulation of falconry. In 1999 our effort were rewarded when falconry regulations were included in the new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Since then we have continued to work closely with the MNR to refine falconry regulations and policies. In 2000 the regulations were amended to allow hunting of waterfowl with a raptor. In 2005, in recognition of the low impact of falconry on game populations, falconers were given a special extended hunting season.

Raptor Conservation

Falconers have always been at the forefront of raptor conservation efforts and the Ontario Hawking Club has tried to do its part. We have been active supporters and participants in Peregrine Falcon recovery efforts by donating falcon chicks for releases in Ontario and other parts of Canada. From 2001-2003 we conducted peregrine releases in partnership with the Canadian Peregrine Foundation and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. An interesting local news story on the release can be found here. We have also assisted the Canadian Wildlife Service in sampling contaminants in woodland raptor eggs and we have assisted the MNR in studying woodland raptor nesting habitat.

The OHC Today

The Club currently has about 65 members covering the entire spectrum of falconry-related activities in Ontario, including captive breeding, public display and education, airport and commercial bird control and, of course, recreational falconry (hunting with a raptor). Members are kept informed of falconry-related developments via the “Imprint” newsletter. We have an annual field meet and banquet and several membership meetings during the year. The Club has developed a code of ethics and an apprenticeship guide in order to promote high ethical standards and competence in the art of falconry. Facilities guidelines are currently under development.

The Ontario Hawking Club is affiliated with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the North American Falconers Association. Membership is open to all persons “of good moral character having a positive interest in falconry”.