Hunting with birds of prey is an ancient sport, but it's also completely foreign to most American outdoorsmen. There's a reason for this; becoming a licensed falconer is a two-year process, involving an apprenticeship, tests, and many other requirements. And America doesn't have strong ties to the sport historically; it's not as easy to meet other falconers.

But one place you can get an introduction to hunting with hawks is at the American branch of the British School of Falconry, located at the Equinox Resort in Manchester Village, Vermont. It's the first school of its kind in the United States. I visited last August.