In falconry, what does manning refer to?

• A. Training the hawk to respond to a lure
• B. Introducing quarry species
• C. Acclimating a hawk to humans and surroundings
• D. First free flight

Answer: (C)

Manning is the period of acclimating a hawk to humans and its surroundings. It’s about making the bird comfortable with people, handling, and daily routines, as well as familiar with the outdoor environment, so it isn’t stressed or fearful. This socialization lays the foundation for reliable training and safe handling later on. It’s different from lure training, which teaches the hawk to respond to a lure as a cue, and from quarry introduction, which is about hunting practice. Manning also comes before the first free flight, which is a later milestone that shows the hawk is ready to fly and return in the field.