The Falconry Experience

Falconry

The Falconry Experience offers a unique opportunity for guests of all ages to participate in an interactive demonstration featuring hawks, falcons, and a golden eagle. This falconry experience includes free-flight demonstrations, a simulated hunt demonstration, and even an opportunity for these majestic birds of prey to land on your gloved hand! The program is run by Master Falconer Jack Hubley.

Due to the threat of Avian Influenza, The Falconry Experience has been temporarily paused. If you are interested in a future date, contact Jack Hubley to be added to the waiting list: eaglehunter0122@gmail.com or 717-575-0948.

boy with falcon

Group Falconry Experience (10 person maximum registration)

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Trainer with Falcon

Private Falconry Experience

The Private Falconry Experience is identical to our group experience in content and length. However, it is limited to your group exclusively, ensuring plenty of calls to the gloved hand.

Falconry Staff

Hawk Walk

Limited to your group only, the Hawk Walk is a walk around the The Hotel Hershey grounds with a hawk following through the treetops. Guests will have numerous opportunities to call the hawk to their gloved hand

Questions/Answers are HERE

What is The Falconry Experience?

Falconry, the craft of hunting wild game with trained birds of prey, originated some 4,000 years ago. Today, falconry is still practiced worldwide with about 4,000 licensed falconers in the United States.

More lifestyle than hobby, falconry requires an intense level of commitment. The Falconry Experience at ZooAmerica is an immersive hands-on experience with multiple birds of prey for guests to experience a taste of falconry and become a “falconer for a day.”

Directed by Master Falconer Jack Hubley, the Falconry Experience includes a lesson in raptor natural history and the origins of this ancient hunting craft, flight demonstrations, and even the opportunity for guests to call a hawk to their gloved hand.

Can Children participate in the experience?

There is no minimum age for participation. The Falconry Experience has hosted many 3 and 4-year-olds who have called a hawk to their gloved hand. However, when considering if the Falconry Experience is right for your child, it is crucial to communicate that these are wild animals. It is not a petting zoo. A calm, quiet, and nonaggressive demeanor is required when handling our hawks.

All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Do I have to pay if I’m just watching?

Yes. Attendance is considered participation and payment is required, whether or not the guest chooses to call a hawk to his or her gloved hand.

Where do I report for the Falconry Experience?

You can go straight to the falconry field at The Hotel Hershey.

How can I access the photos from my experience?

Photos from the falconry experience will be shared with you via a link to a Google album emailed to you within 24 hours of the program.

Am I allowed to take pictures and videos?

Yes. You are welcome to take still photos and/or videos throughout the program.

Is the experience weather dependent?

In the event of inclement weather, including steady rain, sustained high winds (15 mph and above), deep snow, or extreme cold (temps in the teens and below), the Falconry Experience may be cancelled. We do our best to notify you of any cancellation as soon as possible in case you will be traveling a significant distance that morning to participate. Whenever possible, we make the call the evening before the scheduled event. In case of cancellation due to weather, a refund will be issued or your experience will be rescheduled

What if I need to cancel my Falconry Experience reservation?

Cancellation is required 24 hours in advance in order to avoid full charge. If you must cancel, please call Master Falconer Jack Hubley at 717-575-0948.

Does the Falconry Experience include admission to ZooAmerica?

Yes. When you participate in the Group Falconry Experience and the Private Falconry Experience, you’ll have the opportunity to explore ZooAmerica on the day of your visit. (Hawk Walk participants do not receive free admission.)

If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Master Falconer Jack Hubley: 717-575-0948; eaglehunter0122@gmail.com. We look forward to working with your group!