The Falconry Experience

I have wanted to try falconry for a while so we looked for somewhere we could try it.
First, you meet up at the Hotel Hershey and take a bus to the site. (They are going to be moving the falconry closer to the hotel, but for now it is down by Chocolate World).
Once you arrive on site, we were given a very brief history and then walked over to the cages to meet the birds. Specifically we were introduced to Thunder and Racer (Harris Hawks), Comet (Peregrine Falcon) and Bliss (a golden eagle). Bliss is an educational bird and is rarely flown, but was incredible to see up close.
Bob (one of three possible instructors for the program) took us over to the field and did a brief demonstration to show us how Racer flies and hunts. He gave us more history and then offered anyone who wanted to try the opportunity. The person was given a thick leather glove and a bit of dead mouse for Racer to come to. He would glide in as soon as your arm was in place (sometimes earlier and then would past you waiting). He landed on your arm (it was light and not at all squeezing your arm or anything) and you could pet his chest til he had enough. Bob took pictures of everyone when it was their turn. The Hotel Hershey even emailed the pictures to us that evening. You of course are welcome to take as many pictures as you want and to get as close as you want. While our class didn’t have many young kids, Bob said he has had children as young as 3 years old catching the hawks during the class.
We had a great time playing with the birds and I’m already thinking about when I can go back and do it again. Bob even told us about the process of actually joining the growing falconry community, which requires both state and federal wildlife permits and the ability to catch your first bird to hunt with.