Modern Falconry

Photos by Randy Litzinger   

Mike Dupuy, a falconry and bird of prey expert, and his falcons captured the attention and the imagination of the National Sporting Library & Museum audience on June 8.

The renowned expert has traveled throughout the United States and abroad pursuing his passion for falconry, meeting fascinating people and capturing his adventures in photos and video. The audience watched and couldn’t resist capturing their own experiences during his falconry demonstration which was filled with fun facts and personal anecdotes to share with friends.

Since childhood, Dupuy owner of Dupuy Falconry, has been a student of the natural world, intrigued by its beautiful delicate balance and our place in it. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the birthplace of John James Audubon, Dupuy remembers being fascinated with the exotic birds he encountered
each day.

At the age of 6, his family relocated to the United States where he once again began fascinated with the birds he encountered. He pursued his fascination with nature while living in urban areas of New York and the Washington DC area. At age 9, he read My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. The story of a boy and a falcon surviving on a mountain which ignited his passion for the art and sport of falconry. His passion for falconry continued through his reading and he scoured libraries to educate himself about falconry. By age 13, he developed a friendship with reknowned ornothologist Dr. Heinz Meng and had finally found a mentor.

Today, Dupuy, a licensed master falconer, shares his passion with others during talks. He invited the audiences to open up and ask questions at the June talk. He even allowed the audiences an opportunity to get up close and personal with the birds of prey, offering them an opportunity to experience raptors in a way that is impossible while observing them through binoculars.

This article first appeared in the July 2019 issue of Middleburg Life.