Hawking Excursions, Picnics, and Guided Falconry Hikes
Starting in 2015-16, The Olive Adobe will offer hawking excursions of two to four hours in length, allowing guests to experience the majestic red tailed hawk up close as she hunts prey among the boulders of Pipes Canyon, returning to the fist from free flight. Falconry is the oldest sport known to man. It goes back over 4,000 years in the Middle and Far East.
With a wing span approaching 5-feet, eyesight that is over 100 times more powerful than our own, and the ability to apply up to 400 pounds of pressure with needle-sharp talons, these incredible creatures can be trained not to fear humans but to respond to a call to return to the glove. We will walk the desert with a red tail, hunting in partnership with her, and you can help to flush out jackrabbits and other rodents for her as she soars gracefully overhead or watches from atop boulders nearby.
This hawk is a federally protected species and these excursions require purchase of a California single day hunting license depending on season, and execution of a release of liability. A California Licensed Falconer will accompany the party and handle the bird(s.) This is an extremely rare opportunity to partner with a creature we never see up close in the wild. These animals retain all of their instinctual behaviors with the exception of their fear of nature's largest and most efficient predator - man.
Bring sturdy hiking boots, hats, sunscreen and dress in layers appropriate to the changeful weather in the High Desert.
Don't forget your camera!
With a wing span approaching 5-feet, eyesight that is over 100 times more powerful than our own, and the ability to apply up to 400 pounds of pressure with needle-sharp talons, these incredible creatures can be trained not to fear humans but to respond to a call to return to the glove. We will walk the desert with a red tail, hunting in partnership with her, and you can help to flush out jackrabbits and other rodents for her as she soars gracefully overhead or watches from atop boulders nearby.
This hawk is a federally protected species and these excursions require purchase of a California single day hunting license depending on season, and execution of a release of liability. A California Licensed Falconer will accompany the party and handle the bird(s.) This is an extremely rare opportunity to partner with a creature we never see up close in the wild. These animals retain all of their instinctual behaviors with the exception of their fear of nature's largest and most efficient predator - man.
Bring sturdy hiking boots, hats, sunscreen and dress in layers appropriate to the changeful weather in the High Desert.
Don't forget your camera!
Hunting excursions must be limited to four adult guests to ensure that everyone can participate fully and the birds remain calm and are not over stressed. Excursions generally include a picnic lunch, and end with wine and hors d'oeuvres al fresco and an opportunity to get really close to the hawk(s).
Depending on the season, our hunting hawks are housed at the Adobe and can be viewed with a handler if reservations are made in advance. We're happy to arrange hawk picnics, and other brief encounters on request, provided the birds are in good health and are not in summer molt or otherwise unavailable.
We also release rehabilitated raptors at the Adobe and throughout Pipes Canyon and Pioneertown as part of a Federal program that relocates birds of prey from the busy urban airports of Long Beach and Los Angeles (LAX.) A release is a thrilling event, although it lasts only a moment or two - and then the hawk is gone. If witnessing a hawk or kestrel release is of interest, please contact us about it at the time of your reservation and we will make an effort to accommodate you, provided birds are available at the time of your stay.