What is the best way to discourage carrying?

• A. Fastening the lure
• B. Increasing prey size
• C. Reducing training time
• D. Using louder calls

Answer: (A)

Discouraging carrying during training is about keeping the exercise under control so the hawk learns to retrieve to the lure instead of flying off with prey. The most effective method is fastening the lure, attaching it to a line or tether. With the lure secured, the bird can’t carry it away, so it must return to the handler to complete the retrieve. This builds the desired behavior: grabbing the lure and returning, rather than bolting with prey. It also reduces the risk of injury and keeps the training progression predictable. The other options don’t address the carrying behavior: making prey larger can tempt the hawk to carry away, cutting training time short reduces practice, and louder calls don’t prevent carrying.