In the discreet but captivating world of falconry in France, there are enthusiasts who devote their lives to perpetuating this ancient art. One such person is Marie-Agnès, a 30-year-old falconer, president of the “L’Eure Envol” flight hunting team, and an active member of the ANFA (National Association of Falconers and Bird Catchers).
She practices flight hunting, a traditional hunting method using birds of prey such as goshawks and Harris’s hawks, often accompanied by pointing dogs. Between training, breeding, and hunting, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at a demanding but deeply fulfilling passion.
In this interview, she looks back on her career, her discovery of this unique practice, the deep bond between humans, dogs, and birds, and the values of respect, observation, and complicity that drive modern falconry.

My name is Marie-Agnès, I am 30 years old. I am president of the “L’eure envol” falconry team and also a member of the ANFA, the National Association of Falconers and Falconers. I devote a large part of my free time to this, as it is a real passion of mine.

Yes, we simply say “falconer”; there is no feminine form of the word. Being a falconer means practicing an ancient form of hunting, known as falconry, using birds of prey. We train them, live with them on a daily basis, and go hunting together, often accompanied by pointing dogs, such as my Brittany Spaniels.

There are two main practices:

• Low-flying hunting with birds such as buzzards, hawks, sparrowhawks, or eagles. They chase the game from the falconer’s fist.
• And high flight, which is practiced with falcons. The principle is that the bird flies very high in the sky, above the standing dog and the falconer. As soon as the game takes off, the falcon dives down to try to buffet (hit) or bind (catch) its prey. It is spectacular, and each action is unique.

Yes, absolutely. These are animals that we keep on a daily basis. Some were born here, as we also do a little breeding. It’s important to know that keeping birds of prey is strictly regulated: I had to put together a file, obtain a permit, get a hunting license, and, above all, train in bird training (known as “affaitage”).

I didn’t know anything about this world at first. It was when I met my partner, who was already a falconer, that I became interested in it. I have always been very close to animals, so I started handling the birds, taking care of them, understanding their behavior, their diet, and how to care for them. Then, little by little, I accompanied him on hunting trips… and I wanted to try it myself.

What I like best is the three-way relationship between the falconer, the dog, and the bird. We form a real team. Everyone knows each other and recognizes each other. There’s a real bond.
And then, it’s a hunt where nothing is decided in advance. The game has its chances, and so does the bird. It all depends on their strategy and agility. Every flight is unique, every hunt is unpredictable.

Yes, first of all, ANFA, the National Association of Falconers and Falconers of France, founded in 1945. It works to promote falconry, the conservation of birds of prey, and captive breeding.
And then I chair the L’eur envol team, a small group of around ten enthusiasts. We hunt together, swap territories, and share moments of nature and camaraderie. It’s a wonderful human adventure.