It was really nice experience I would go again if it's closer to me. I liked Owl experience as well there.

What an amazing way to spend a couple of hours. We did the basic falconry class. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. I wish it was closer to us as we would definitely go again and take a different class. read more

Went here for husband's birthday. He was a bit reluctant bc he thought it looked boring but he had a lot of fun and loved it even more than I did. It's a tad expensive but a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Highly recommended. We did the basic falconry experience for $70pp, where they put treats on your gloves and the hawk flew to you. So cool to have a falcon be so close! We also threw the meat into the air and the hawk flew up to catch it. They then demonstrated how they train hawks to hunt. The falconers were very knowledgeable and shared a lot of amazing facts about the birds. Tip: check out the owls too, there is a VERY cute owl w the most adorable hoot. It was actually my favorite part of the day! read more

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My dad had kept our visit to West Coast Falconry a surprise right up until we pulled into the driveway for our Friday morning falcon walk adventure. He had read about West Coast Falconry in a Southwest magazine years ago and we attempted to come right before the pandemic exploded and shut the world down. Fast forward two years and we finally had the opportunity to visit. I wasn't sure what to expect but was completely blown away and had an absolute blast! We started our tour walking out into a large, open field with Bebe, one of the Falcons. Our guide released Bebe and we got to watch as Bebe soared and eventually made his way back to his falconer. Next, we got to experience the agility and grace of Diego, one of the Hawks. We played various agility games in a wooded area and were amazed by Diego's skills. Finally, we wrapped up our tour back on the main property and got to spend some time with Hamish, an extremely cute and petite owl. Definitely worth a visit, even if you have no understanding of falconry or birds of prey. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, engaging and willing to answer all of our questions. read more

So much fun! Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Had an absolute blast and will definitely be visiting again! read more

West Coast Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

The ancient sport of Falconry is alive and well at West Coast Falconry on Marysville. For more information on the history and the practice of this sport go to https://www.britannica.com/sports/falconry. The birds here are breathtaking: they are well trained, well taken care of, and well fed. The trainers are licensed and interaction between the birds and trainers is amazing. I came here with a Canon photo class. I had a wonderful time. Seeing the birds soar and land where the trainer sends them was a wonderful experience. The birds will fly until they are either full or bored. The birds flew in front of me and over my head. I was so entranced that I did not take that many photos. That just means I have to go back later in the year. They have many different birds, hawks, falcon, owls, and other birds. The birds seem to enjoy what they do. They have enough different experiences that you should be able to find something that will astound you too. read more

West Coast Falconry - Harris Hawk - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

What a beautiful experience! Sparky and Franky are so funny and informative. I was a little scared at first but they both put me at ease. The birds were beautiful and seems like they are treated well. Both ladies seem to love what they do and it shows. They're very entertaining. I had a great time. read more

West Coast Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

West Coast Falconry is a wonderful experience! The falconers were great at explaining the history of falconry and how to the birds are handled. They demonstrated the basics of handling the birds and then allowed us to hold a falcon. Then the bird took off and put on a demonstration of flying. Incredible! Then we were introduced to a hawk and were allowed to participate in some of bird's behaviors! Magnificent! I highly recommend this to everyone! I loved it! read more

West Coast Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

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I had an amazing time, I highly recommend it and I cannot wait to go back. The staff is very friendly and informative Such a great experience read more

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I highly recommend the experiences offered by the staff at west coast Falconry! My husband and I did the private lesson with Amber and Diana. The staff's passion made the experience all the more special. They shared rich history of the sport and interesting facts including popular terms that originate from Falconry and have been misconstrued over time. The way the experience is broken into different pieces with different birds really enhances the experience. My husband and I will never forget working with the birds of prey and will continue to recommend and follow the success of the team that drives this venture. read more

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Went for the 1-hr falconry experience and had a great time. Learned a bit about the history of the practice and got to experience calling the bird. Interesting experience in a reasonably safe environment (I say "reasonably" because we're still handling animals that aren't quite as domesticated as Labradors). Turned out one of the birds we was a bit of a celebrity while another worked on a Myth busters episode or two. The team here seems to take good care of the birds, feeding them appropriately and releasing them into the wild when the bird is obviously better suited to that life. One of them stayed behind after the lesson to answer general questions, including many about the birds we didn't interactworked with that day. Appreciated her taking the time to do that when she could've taken more down time before she had to get going on her owl experience class. Would highly recommend the experience --- there are probably more convenient times available when it's cooler. Our slot was early in the day so that the birds would be comfortable. read more

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Thank you for all your hard work preserving the ancient sport of falconry. These ladies are SERIOUS and if you love birds of prey you need to apprentice with a licensed falconer, get a permit from Fish&Wildlife and commit to your bird 365/24/7. Now that's serious. Without a doubt, one of the best experiences I've had in a long time. Don't be put off by the location. Make the drive and spend some time up close and personal with these birds. You will learn habits, technique of falconry and history from the knowledgeable owner. Get ready to meet the most handsome vulture on the planet. read more

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Are you really surprised to see another 5 star review? Thank you Frankie and Sparky (lol) for a fabulous day out with the Cubbie, Saki, Mariposa and Hamich. Informative and fun! We had an amazing time and my 9 year old was beaming all the way home. WCF is such a gem. Don't hesitate to visit! What a great way to add to wonderful memories read more

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What a fun experience! I don't remember the price since it was some time ago. I went last May, I think. I went with my mom and husband. It was a special experience for my mom, and she LOVED it. You get to experience the birds and take plenty of photos. I wouldn't say the two women presenting the birds had entertaining skills (some slow points of the talking parts), but we appreciated the effort. read more

So many five star reviews - what can I say that hasn't already been said? This is one-of-a-kind! Once-in-a-lifetime! A California first! You'll want to go do it again and again! Okay, that negates the once-in-a-lifetime! The experience is a cross between wildlife education and raptor comedy routine. The falconers, Kate and Jana, are a finely tuned performance -- and lets not forget the important component a impressive collection of hawks, falcons, owls, and (yes) even a vulture. The falconers and the birds were really mugging for the participants and we were loving them back. You won't be bored -- time flies and pardon the pun. Experience the love, trust, and bond of falconer and raptor. The relationship is clear. A variety of experiences, apprentice programs, raptor camps, special events and more. We got up-close and personal with a Harris Hawk, Barn Owl, Eurasian Eagle owl, and the sweetest Spectacled Owl named Owlsley. The drive up and down Springs Valley road -- into the wilds of Yuba County -- is just a bonus. Views are lovely. An adventure worth seeking. read more

West Coast Falconry - Zopi is a 2013 Yellow Headed Vulture West Coast Falconry Credit www.AreyYouThatWoman.com - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

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What an incredible opportunity to learn about birds of pray and photograph them yesterday (April 1st). West Coast Falconry is the place to go for a first hand closeup view of these magnificent rapters from the falconers who care for them, handle them, and train them in a very safe and natural environment. Through a group photo workshop, I was amazed at the incredible images I was able to get of their owls, falcons, and of course hawks just like Mariposa (pictured) who is a 5 year old female Sonoran Harris Hawk. Thank you West Coast Falconry for your hospitality and sharing of your birds of pray with our group of photographers. read more

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If birds of prey are your thing, and you haven't visited WCF, you must. I was here for a Canon photo outing event. We were treated to the most beautiful subjects and knowledgeable handlers. The day could not have been more perfect. The grace and beauty of these birds is nothing short of awesome and the love the handlers had for these birds was obvious in their interaction. So freaking cool. Find the right experience for you here. They have several to choose from. You will not regret it. read more

Such an amazing experience! Did the private raptor experience and hawk walk with Janna and Scout. Got to take out 3 falcons into a huge open field and watch them fly. So cool to hear and watch them zoom within inches of you. Then we took a hawk on a walk through the woods learning several training tricks along the way. It was so cool to be walking along and just stick your arm out and have a 4ft hawk land on it! They have lots of different birds and are SUPER knowledgeable. You will learn so much. The staff is incredible. So friendly and warm. Janna was our lead trainer, so friendly and fun. Scout was super nice and answered all of our questions. We also got the meet the owner Kate who is super friendly and nice to talk to. If I had to pick one of the experiences between the raptor experience, hawk walk, and owls, the hawk walk was the best. Just something about walking through a wooded area with a hawk following you was so cool. If you're reading this doubting how cool it is to play with raptors and hawks and owls, just do it, you won't regret it! read more

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My husband got us a private falconry walk for our anniversary which we just did. I went in with pretty ridiculously high expectations as I love birds and like - not from a distance. I really wanted to cuddle the birds. While cuddling them is not on the table (they tend to cuddle all face-rippy...), the day met my expectations and more. Our guides were super knowledgeable and friendly and you really get a lot of interaction (NB: not cuddling) with the birds in a way that doesn't seem to stress the birds out (e.g., not cuddling). I will now spend the next six months trying to convince everyone I know (and you) to go do this! read more

West Coast Falconry - Amadan the barn owl and me - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

After reading My Side of the Mountain with our aim, we always talked about how interesting falconry would be. West Coast Falconry made it happen! We spent over an hour learning about and interacting with Harris hawks. The owner and her employee are very knowledgeable and made funny quips. I would recommend it! read more

Fun with raptors! Learned a lot about hawks. Mariposa, a Harris Hawk, flew from participant to participant, enabling us to get up close and personal.The instructors Francie and Sparky were knowledgeable and excellent communicators. Everyone really enjoyed the experience. Highly recommend! read more

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What an amazing experience my daughter (7y/o) and I had today. We did the basic falconry lesson with a Harris Hawk. We went over basic instruction, history and current practice with falconry. We spent a lot of time flying the Hawk back and forth, walking around and doing small "tricks". They took great care of my daughter and helped her receive the bird. It was one of the coolest experiences I've had. Afterwards we walked around and they talked about the different birds they have. I honestly cannot wait to do this again. read more

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I cannot say enough about West Coast Falconry. I booked the owl encounter for my wife's 50th Birthday and every member of our family had an experience that I am sure will rate as one of our best ever. I especially want to recognize Frankie & Sparky, our guides, teachers, and hosts extraordinaire. From the moment we arrived, they were like long lost friends that made sure are experience was the very best. Last but not least was the stars of the show. Each owl we met was so majestic and perfect. Having one of these creatures fly to you and rest on your hand was an experience we will not soon forget. read more

West Coast Falconry is a raptor training and hunting center located about 20 minutes east of Marysville. Jana is an expert falconer and offers one-hour, hands-on experiences with these fascinating creatures. First, plan for outdoor weather and allow an hour and a half to get to WCF from Sacramento. Arriving early will allow you to take some extra photos and check out some of the raptors in their cages. In late spring and summer, shoot for the earliest appointment time because the valley/foothill country can get hot! My daughter has always had a keen interest in raptors, so I had given her the experience as a birthday present. We arrived on a warm morning in late May. Spring Valley Road turns into a bumpy country land about a mile from the raptor center, so keep your eyes peeled for the sign on the left. We were impressed by how warmly we were greeted by Jana, and how exceptionally well trained and knowledgeable she is about the history, habits and needs of these incredible birds. She is apparently one (the first) of only twelve licensed falcon center operators in the U.S., and her informative and humorous banter kept our attention as she described how these birds have been a part of human culture for millennia. The actual time you'll have a bird on your arm is brief, but it's a great experience. Maybe if you have time, drive up Highway 20 afterward and have lunch or dinner in Nevada City. The drive from there up to Hwy 80 in Yuba Gap is scenic as well! read more

West Coast Falconry - Turn in here! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

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Ah-frickin-MAZING! I was so thrilled when Groupon had a deal for this place in June! I never actually knew about it until they did, and then I couldn't wait to go after purchasing the deal! Fast forward to the present... four months later and we are finally going!! WOOHOO!! I was extremely impressed with the knowledge they have about the history of the sport as well as the anatomy and behaviors of the birds. We did the basic falconry lesson and it was enough to get me hooked! I'm very interested in attending more experiences and maybe even looking into the apprentice program. Our boy, Cowboy, was such a champ! He assisted the gals in teaching us the proper way to call your bird, hold your bird, and interact properly. Such a thrill to have such an amazing animal right there on your arm. I was giddy with excitement! read more

West Coast Falconry - The amazing Harris hawk, Don Diego! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

The boyfriend and I took part in West Coast Falconry's Hawk Walk, and what an awesome and enriching experience it was! Kate and Jana were extremely knowledgeable about their craft. They introduced us to each bird, pointing out characteristics and intertwining them with the history of falconry. After the introduction, we donned our gloves, learned the basics of calling and handling the hawk, and we were off to the hills to have some one-on-one with our harris hawk named Seabhag. Seabhag for the most part was an eager beaver in following our commands, knowing that she'd get meaty treats in return. Kate and Jana did a few demonstrations of the "upsy daisy" maneuver where a treat was tossed high into the air, and then let Seabhag chase a dummy lure as the finale. I was sad when it was time to call it a day. West Coast Falconry keeps the Hawk Walk groups small, which is nice, and they made sure we each got plenty of photo ops and time with the raptor. So much fun! read more

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If you are a an animal lover this is a must do. I've done the hawk experience and the owl experience. They start you off with the history of falconry and they move onto specific birds of prey and how they hunt, what's unique about them and you get to hear more about their individual birds. Truly a great experience! Tips: *Get a deal online either through travelzoo or Groupon, they always have them and make this experience much more affordable. *The group you are in will affect your experience and how quickly things progress so if you are looking for a good gift for a family this is a great one everyone can participate in together. *The owl and the hawk encounter are pretty much identical except you are either interacting with one of their hawks or an Eurasian Eagle Owl. We did both (about a year apart) and while they were both amazing, I recommend you just pick one. read more

West Coast Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

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The experience our family had this past weekend will never be forgotten and will be talked about often, forever. What an impact! EVERYTHING was absolutely perfect. Our two adult sons surprised their dad with the Hawk Walk experience for a birthday gift. He said, afterwards, it was the best birthday gift ever. Jana was gracious, considerate, kind, polite, respectful, and extremely knowledgeable. She gave everyone a chance at every experience along with several photo opps. The grounds were unexpectedly beautiful and peaceful. The Harris Hawk we were blessed to interact with was Avalon and we immediately fell in love with her. Thank you, West Coast Falconry, for allowing us to be a part of your exciting life of birds of prey. read more

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Falconry has been on my bucket list for decades; ever since the first time I saw the demonstration at Ren Faire decades ago. We scored a Groupon for the basic falconry lesson, and gathered 6 of us to go up to Marysville. The experience was just amazing. From the quick education to the actual call of a falcon on to your arm. I only wish it lasted longer. An hour flew by at the blink of an eye. Since it is a fairly long trip up from San Francisco, I would consider taking the hawk walk or one of the longer adventures. In any case, we will most likely go up and do the hunting adventure. Things to know: It is a 3+ hour trip up there. I would consider staying overnight in Sacramento or Roseville (or Yuba City). It is friggin hot in summer, I would plan for fall or winter for a trip. Very laid back atmosphere. The master falconers are incredibly knowledgeable and will help you learn a lot in a short amount of time. All I can say is go go go!! Don Diego and Mariposa (our Harris hawks) were amazing. read more

West Coast Falconry - What an amazing morning! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

If you are looking for a fantastic experience that is up close and personal with predatory birds then West Coast Falconry is the place for you. This is an awesome place for people interested in falconry or if you're looking for a unique date-day. Their instructors are advocates for conservation, and rehabilitation, of hawks, falcons and predatory birds. Their staff is passionate about education and sharing about their birds' role in the environment, their natural history and the ancient art of falconry. Our class was allowed to experience Mariposa, a Harris Hawk and we took turns having the bird fly to and from our gloves. We got to play training games and exercises with the hawk as well. At the end of class we had an opportunity to take individual portraits with the bird commemorating our experience. We had a wonderful time. read more

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We expected a more professional & organized Falconry lesson. The 2 falconers, Tracy & Skippy we're ill prepared & disorganized. Lots of missed opportunities for sharing Falconry information. We didn't even hear how many raptors they keep, how they obtain them, etc. could they post a sign on the gate to indicate when it will open as 5 cars waited slightly confused.... loved the birds & the little info shared but they really need to brush up in technique with the public! read more

I surprised my boyfriend with a 1 hr falconry lesson and we worked with Hancock. Neither of us had been and it was a fantastic experience, we had so much fun! Our hostesses were knowledgeable and friendly and the birds we worked with were cooperative and awesome. Our photos were with the famous Don Diego - who I read about in Southwest Magazine, which is how I found out about West Coast Falconry. I would highly recommend this place to anyone with an interest in raptors, the outdoors, hunting, or just looking for an awesome adventure! read more

This place was awesome!! The hawk was beautiful (Seabac I believe was her name - hope I spelled it correctly as well) and the handlers were amazing in their knowledge of all things falconry. To hear the history behind falconry and the interactive commentary was wonderful. I took my 8yr old son and he really enjoyed himself. He is so looking forward to doing this again and plans to bring friends with him. My only complaint unfortunately is the $35 observation fee that I had to pay to stand where everyone was standing. Was bummed that it cost so much to take pics. But we will definitely be back and this time I will participate. read more

I volunteered for a short time at the Raptor Center at UC Davis, but I never tire of seeing these magnificent creatures. And the experience is so different here. The birds are clearly handled very often and are used to working with people, even ones they've never met before. I bought Travelzoo vouchers for a basic falconry class and really glad that got us out there. PROS - Scheduling the class was easy. A quick call and we're done. - History lesson was a good quick interesting introduction. - Great instructors (Kate and Jana). Made everyone feel comfortable and safe. - Knowledgeable. They pretty much answered every single question without hesitation, whether it be related to history of falconry, biology, or conservation. They were on top of their game! CONS - It's really out there in Marysville. Look for a small wooden sign. But... it's totally worth the drive in my opinion. In conclusion, working with West Coast Falconry was an amazing experience. You get to practice casting the hawk and calling it back in the basic falconry class. You get to see how acrobatic they are. You learn hints about what not do to, etc. After the class, they let us each pose with the hawk we worked with. We worked with a Peruvian hawk. I was in Peru this summer and was constantly on the lookout for one, but never got to see on in it's natural habitit. Fortunately, I was able to handle one up close here already. I think kids would love this experience too! I would definitely come back here! read more

This has been one of the coolest experiences that I've had. I LOVE all animals.. and birds are right up there with cats. Thanks to the Travelzoo voucher, the basic falconry lesson cost me only $35, and I couldn't pass this once-in-a-lifetime offer although I do plan on coming back for another class. The falconers were engaging, funny, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, informing, friendly, etc. etc. When Teeka, the hawk that we trained with, wanted more of a challenge, Jana asked another student and me to form a human hoola hoop for Teeka to fly through. How cool is that? Also, at the end of the class, you're able to take photos with the falcon perched on your glove. I highly recommend this to anyone. It was a wonderful experience! read more

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Kate and Hilary were awesome. The knowledge, the vibe, the facility.... honestly dont think you could find a way to improve upon any of it. I bought my wife 'the triple raptor' experience for her bday, and she was completely blown away by her experience. Looking forward to coming back here for one of their workshops in the near future. Also, we left the house at 5am and drove from San Francisco to partake.... 100% worth the time and travel. Best of luck to you West Coast Falconry ;) read more

Best interactive live experience with birds and Falconers ! We've been twice and loved it both times!!! 5 s read more

West Coast Falconry - Fantastic bucket list experience! Franky and Sparky are great Falconer/teachers ! Webster , Shamus and Mariposa are beautiful animals . - Specialty Schools Near Me - Marysville, California

A wonderful experience flying falcons, hawks and a little owl. As a lifetime bird-lover, this day was a dream come true! I learned so much about falconry and a host of raptors that we met up-close and personal! I recommend West Coast Falconry to anyone who loves birds and/or nature in general. read more

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We had so much fun doing the Private Raptor Outing. My wife and I had already taken an introductory course to falconry outside the Bay Area, and we were hoping to find the same experience in the area. The experience was even better than we hoped. It was so much more informative than the last time we went. And we loved the people just as much as we loved the birds. Both of us learned so much, and the intimate experience we had with falcons, hawks, and owls was magical. I really recommend trying this. It will give you a new perspective on our relationship with nature and animals. read more

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This is a five star experience so get ready! Our family completely enjoyed the birds, the information, the beautiful surroundings and just all of it. I would highly recommend this as an excursion that has something for everyone with an interest in nature. Thank you West Coast Falconry!!! read more