Most hunters when they are done hunting for the day can just throw their gun back into the closet, especially for the season. You have to have state and federal permits for it. > Falconry, first off, is the most highly regulated hunting sport in the United States. While Meagan was preparing Sidewinder for the hunt, she explained to me what a huge responsibility it is to be a falconer and maintain your birds. I remained optimistic but let's be honest, I was just psyched to be in the presence of the fastest animal in the world. The only issue, in mid January with colder temperatures, many ponds where Meagan normally hunts were frozen, meaning the likelihood of ducks on the landscape was pretty slim. > The mission of the day was to capitalize on Sidewinder's agility and speed, and take her duck hunting. It's air to air combat short range which is pretty fitting for what they do as a species. > My husband named her Sidewinder, it is a type of US air missile. What do you call her? Do you have a name for her? Do you name them? > Yes, the fastest animal on the planet is the peregrine falcon. But her depth perception is really off now so she can't see as well. We used to hunt squirrels and rabbits with her. Red tails and about that size? Chill out! > These are probably the hawks you saw on the way down? > Yeah, that is why she is being a freak. I remember you saying that in our meeting. She has West Nile, so she is partially blind now. > Yeah, and then my red-tailed, she's old so she can't chill out. > This winter, Meagan invited me out to her property to meet her birds and learn more about this fierce way to hunt small game. Actually, on Friday, I got a call from some landowners about a snowy owl. So we get some cool species out this way. They were so big! I saw them and I was like, "it's like they know I am coming down here to talk to you." I was driving down here and I can't identify them, but I saw some huge hawks! > Thank you so much for having me out here. I've always thought working with a wild bird to hunt small game was fascinating and it just so happens that one Missouri Department of Conservation employee, my new friend, Meagan Duffe-Yates is a master falconer. You ever see those massive hawks sitting along highways or atop the trees? Some people use them to hunt. This month we are learning about the ancient practice of falconry. I'm Jill Pritchard with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Hey there and welcome back to another episode of Nature Boost.
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