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Falcon station

Two poles were placed in a certain distance from the cabin. In the top of the cabin there was an opening with ropes pulled through. The falconer could control the falcon station by pulling the ropes from inside the cabin. A decoy falcon made of wood and feathers was fastened to one pole. It was hoisted to the top of the pole to attract the attention of falcons high up in the sky, looking for prey. A competing falcon close to the ground usually meant there was prey nearby. A live pigeon was fastened to the other pole. The falconer kept it hidden.  A small bird was tied to the cabin, to scream out when a falcon was approaching. When this happened the falconer had to quickly lower the decoy falcon to the ground and hoist the pigeon to the top of the pole, to catch the falcon’s attention. When the falcon approached, the falconer lowered the pigeon toward a net on the ground. As the falcon attacked the pigeon, the falconer wrapped the net over the both of them. Hopefully the falcon would release the pigeon, so the falconer could useit again. It is uncertain how many birds were captured in Engerdal.

When a falcon was caught, its beak and claws were cut and it got a hood to block its vision. This way the falcons could not hurt each other and they were easier to handle. The falcons also got a strap fastened to one foot, and were tied to a peat bench inside the cabin. They were kept inside the cabin and fed meat, until the falconer was ready to leave with his catch.  

Museum24:Portal - 2024.10.08
Grunnstilsett-versjon: 2