Harris's hawk soaring over Ohio grassland during falconry flight

Experience Hands‑On Falconry in Central Ohio

Meet hawks, falcons, and owls at guided sessions across Columbus, Medina, and Oregonia — from beginner introductions to specialty photography days.

Featured Falconry Experiences

Curated sessions for photographers, families, and nature enthusiasts — choose from introductory classes, hawk walks, owl encounters, and a dedicated photography day.

Columbus

Feather 'n Fur Photography Day at Camp Mary Orton, Ohio

Spend a unique day photographing hawks, falcons, and owls with Master Falconer Joe Dorrian at Camp Mary Orton. Perfect for photographers seeking up-close raptor action in Ohio.

Feather 'n Fur Photography Day at Camp Mary Orton, Ohio

wildlife nature

Columbus, Ohio

Medina

Owl Encounter Falconry Experience in Medina, Ohio

Meet majestic owls up close in Medina, Ohio, with the Izaak Walton League’s unique Owl Encounter. Learn falconry secrets and experience silent flight firsthand.

Owl Encounter Falconry Experience in Medina, Ohio

wildlife nature

Columbus

Owl Encounter Falconry Experience in Columbus, Ohio

Step into the world of owls with this hands-on falconry experience at Camp Mary Orton in Columbus. Get close to Henson and Quinny and discover the vital role of these fascinating raptors.

Owl Encounter Falconry Experience in Columbus, Ohio

Medina

Falconry Experience with Hawks in Medina, Ohio

Experience the thrill of falconry at the Izaak Walton League in Medina, Ohio. Learn hawk-handling skills and enjoy hands-on time with these magnificent birds in a beautiful woodland setting.

Falconry Experience with Hawks in Medina, Ohio

wildlife nature

Medina

Falconry Experience at Izaak Walton League in Medina

Learn the ancient art of falconry at Medina’s Izaak Walton League. Engage with trained hawks, gain hands-on skills, and support raptor conservation in just two hours.

Falconry Experience at Izaak Walton League in Medina

wildlife nature

Oregonia

Falconry Adventure with Hawks near Columbus, Ohio

Discover the hands-on thrill of flying hawks at Camp Kern near Columbus, Ohio. Engage with birds-of-prey and learn falconry traditions in a stunning natural setting.

Falconry Adventure with Hawks near Columbus, Ohio

Columbus

Falconry Adventure with Hawks in Columbus, Ohio

Discover the thrill of flying hawks firsthand in central Ohio with the Walk with Hawks falconry program. Learn to fly magnificent raptors and engage with a centuries-old tradition close to Columbus.

Falconry Adventure with Hawks in Columbus, Ohio

Oregonia

Falconry 101 with The Ohio School of Falconry at Camp Kern

Step into the world of birds of prey with The Ohio School of Falconry at Camp Kern. This hands-on 1.5 to 2-hour session offers a stirring mix of sport, science, and conservation education for adventurers aged 9 and up.

Falconry 101 with The Ohio School of Falconry at Camp Kern

About The Ohio School of Falconry

The Ohio School of Falconry, based in Columbus, Ohio, offers hands-on falconry experiences and raptor education across central Ohio. The school runs programs at Camp Mary Orton (Columbus), the Izaak Walton League (Medina), and Camp Kern (Oregonia). Participants encounter trained hawks, falcons, and owls in sessions designed for photographers, families, and nature enthusiasts.

Offerings include introductory courses (Falconry 101), intermediate walks with hawks (Falconry 201), owl-focused encounters (Falconry 301), and a dedicated photography day (Falconry 501) led by Master Falconer Joe Dorrian. Sessions vary from about 1.5 hours to 3 hours, giving guests hands-on time with birds in perched and free-flight settings.

Instruction emphasizes raptor behavior, handling fundamentals, and the ecological role of birds of prey. The Ohio School of Falconry integrates conservation education into each experience, explaining species significance and habitat needs. Programs include opportunities to photograph raptors, learn to call a hawk to a glove or lure, and handle select owl species such as barn owls and larger Eurasian owls where available.

Safety protocols and experienced handlers are present during every session. Equipment and handling techniques follow established falconry practices. The school serves participants aged nine and up for specific programs and tailors content to skill level and interest. As a regional provider of falconry experiences, The Ohio School of Falconry focuses on education, ethical raptor interactions, and memorable field-based experiences across central Ohio venues. Programs accommodate photographers and families while highlighting raptor conservation, bird identification, seasonal behavior, and ethical wildlife observation practices across all sites and outreach.

Two handlers exchanging Harris's hawk with wings spread outdoors

Falconry demonstration with handlers and crowd in Ohio park

The Ohio School of Falconry — Falconry Experiences in Columbus, Ohio

Discover falconry in central Ohio with guided sessions that bring hawks, falcons, and owls close for education, handling, and photography. The Ohio School of Falconry operates at Camp Mary Orton (Columbus), the Izaak Walton League (Medina), and Camp Kern (Oregonia), offering a range of falconry experiences from Introduction to Falconry (Falconry 101) to the specialized Feather 'n Fur Photography Day (Falconry 501).

Popular Falconry Experiences

An Introduction to Falconry (Falconry 101): 1.5–2 hour sessions that cover raptor ecology, basic handling, and the history of falconry — available at Camp Kern and the Izaak Walton League.
Walk with Hawks (Falconry 201): 2.5–3 hour guided hawk walks that include free-flight demonstrations and practical falconer skills at Camp Kern, Camp Mary Orton, and the Izaak Walton League.
Owl Encounter (Falconry 301): Focused owl sessions that showcase Old World and New World owls, silent flight, and hands‑on handling at Camp Mary Orton and the Izaak Walton League.
Feather 'n Fur Photography Day (Falconry 501): A dedicated photography experience at Camp Mary Orton led by Master Falconer Joe Dorrian featuring over seven species of raptors in perched and in‑flight photo opportunities.

Why Choose These Falconry Programs

Local central Ohio venues: Camp Mary Orton (Columbus), Izaak Walton League (Medina), Camp Kern (Oregonia). These sites provide field settings suited to free-flight and staged photography.
Range of skill levels: Programs range from beginner-friendly Falconry 101 to intermediate Walk with Hawks and specialized Owl Encounter and photography sessions.
Direct raptor interaction: Opportunities to handle owls like barn owls or larger Eurasian owls, practice calling a hawk to a glove or lure, and photograph raptors in flight.

What to Expect

Participants can expect guided instruction on raptor behavior, ethical handling, and conservation-focused education. Sessions typically last from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the trip. The Feather 'n Fur Photography Day emphasizes controlled perched and in‑flight shots, while Walk with Hawks focuses on free-flight falconry practice.

Practical Details & Search Keywords

To find and book these experiences, search terms that match the programs and locations include:

falconry Columbus Ohio
owl encounter Medina
walk with hawks Ohio
falconry photography day Columbus
falconry classes Camp Kern

Booking tip: choose dates and locations that match the desired experience — introductory visits are best for first-timers, while photographers may prefer the Falconry 501 day at Camp Mary Orton.

Conservation and Education

Each session blends practical falconry skills with raptor conservation messaging. The Ohio School of Falconry uses field-based demonstrations to highlight species roles in ecosystems and to promote ethical wildlife observation.

For those searching for authentic, hands-on raptor experiences in central Ohio, The Ohio School of Falconry provides structured programs across multiple sites, accessible session lengths, and options tailored to photographers, families, and outdoor learners.

Falconry hawk gliding low over green meadow at Ohio demo

Reserve a Falconry Experience in Central Ohio

Book an Introduction to Falconry, Walk with Hawks, Owl Encounter, or the Feather 'n Fur Photography Day — limited spots at Camp Mary Orton, Izaak Walton League, and Camp Kern.