Such an amazing experience!! I was so thrilled to share this with my dad who always admired these beautiful creatures. I know my dad was thrilled throughout and awestruck with admiration. Kirk is such a great falconer he makes it educational and hilarious at the same time! I so appreciate how attentive the falconers were to each person in the group making sure we all got the fullest experience. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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I bought the owl and falcon experience for my husband for Christmas last year and let me tell you, it was such an incredible experience! He has always been interested in falconry, so this was a really unique way to get a taste of it and get up close and personal with some of the birds. I just did the companion experience so I could take photos and video, but I loved seeing the birds doing their thing, too! Denise was so knowledgeable about the birds and it was such a pleasure to be around her. You can really tell how much her and Kirk love the birds and have a passion for what they do. Tig the Great Horned Owl was definitely my favorite. He had so much personality. And it was pretty metal to watch him eat a whole dead chick in a few gulps. Alibaba and Habibi were also beautiful birds and so fast! Kirk had them flying around and dive bombing for a simulated hunt. They were like little bullets! The coolest part is definitely getting to handle the birds and have them fly to and from your arm. I wish that part lasted a little longer though. But my husband was definitely happy with all of it! I highly, highly recommend Sky Falconry and the Owl and Hawk experience. I definitely want to go back for some falconry classes and a hawk walk soon. Go if you have the chance! read more

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My experience at Sky Falconry far exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high to begin with. I had wanted to get close to birds of prey for a long time, but due to personal issues, I kept having to postpone it. Perhaps being forced to wait made things better. First of all Sky Falconry is located in one of the nicest parts of the back country, and on the day that I showed up the weather was phenomenal. The drive to the top provided nice views of Alpine and the surrounding area. Kirk and Corey, the guys who run Sky Falconry, are passionate about the birds they care for and show off, very knowledgeable, and just really nice. When everyone arrived, we gathered together to learn about the birds we were going to come into contact with, the history of falconry, and some of the habitat and environmental issues affecting birds of prey. (If you weren't careful, you might actually learn something.) Kirk and Corey saw to it that everyone had an opportunity to interact with the owls and the falcon, and true to what they told us, the two species of birds were very different. Both bird are truly amazing hunters and flyers that with little more than an outstretched arm, come right to you. (Okay, maybe a little food also did the trick.) I could go on for a long time trying to describe the experience, and I wouldn't come close. I left feeling much more positive about the world. I highly recommend trying it for yourself. read more

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A one-of-a-kind bucket list experience awaits at this humble federally licensed falconry school located in the foothills just outside of Alpine. A school for this oldest hunting tradition it may be, but for the general public, their encounters serve to educate through hands-on experiences with their resident birds of prey aka raptors. Preservation through education is this school's motto. Listed in order of increasing price, choose from their Basic Falconry Lesson, Hawk Walk, or Owl & Falcon Encounter. Make it private for more $$$. I signed the S.O. and I up for the Basic Falconry Lesson with him as the observer and myself as the participant. Observer pricing is half that of the participant. Whether you are an observer or participant, the experience is one of great intrigue! As a participant, free flying a bird of prey was truly magical and downright thrilling due to the bad ass nature of these birds witnessed up close and personal. Kirk and Jade, the wife and husband duo, were very knowledgeable and entertaining to boot. Their resident raptors for this experience included 2 Lanner Falcons and 2 Harris Hawks (Habibi and Steam). We free flew Steam, "Give me Steam" being the cue for calling her to ones leather handling glove. An incredible experience with phenomenal animals! My appreciation for raptors has been fortified. read more

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This was our second visit to this hidden gem and we were excited for the chance to interact with their Great horned owl and one of their Lanner Falcons in a new offering. As with our previous visit two years earlier, Jade and Kirk do a superb job educating their guests about all birds of prey and today we learned oodles about owls and falcons. Their location about an hour outside San Diego makes for an easy excursion during a visit. Just be sure to carefully follow the Google-maps directions-the last five miles is on a lonely rutted gravel road but just keep on going and you will eventually arrive at their hilltop clearing and small trailer gift shop where you will first need to complete a liability waiver. Expect some great pix and be sure to take a couple slo-mo videos! A MUST do! With a small group size, 6 or so, everyone gets a chance to be up close with these magnificent creatures. read more

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Really incredible experience. We had a great time and the drive was really beautiful.The whole experience was very exciting. Fun for the whole family 10 out of 10 ! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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I attended the falcon & owl experience yesterday, and it was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had. It was truly something else to be able to see, learn about, and interact with these amazing creatures in person. In our group, we got to meet Tigger the great horned owl, and Habibi and Alibaba the lanner falcons. They each clearly had their own intelligence, personality, and of course stunning looks. I had an endless number of questions for Kirk and Denise, but had to bite my tongue so I wouldn't keep interrupting the experience. 1 hour and 15 minutes really "flew" by - while that was nowhere near enough time for me, it was the perfect duration to ensure the birds don't become tired or anxious. It was also really great to see how passionate Denise and Kirk were about conservation, and educating the public about federal protection laws. I would absolutely come back for more raptor experiences! read more

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My buddy and I had the privilege of doing a private tour with Sky Falconry, and it was an unforgettable experience. While I knew absolutely nothing about falcons or hawks going in (as you might gather from this review), this was something my friend had been dreaming of doing for a long time. I had zero expectations, while my friend's were pretty high--but by the end of the experience, even those high expectations were blown out of the water. Kirk and Denise were absolutely incredible--warm, friendly, funny, and extremely knowledgeable. They made us feel genuinely welcome and ensured we had plenty of hands-on time with the birds. Despite my lack of expertise, they were patient and encouraging throughout the entire experience. Kirk even went out of his way to compliment my friend, who had a few... less-than-stellar attempts at tossing food for the birds to catch mid-air. A personal highlight for me was getting some epic photos holding the hawks while rocking my awesome cloak--and they didn't even cloak-shame me for it! (Thanks, Kirk and Denise!) On a lighter note, Kirk might need to brush up on his movie references--but that's an inside joke from the event. Whether you're a seasoned bird lover or someone like me who came in knowing nothing, I can't recommend Sky Falconry enough. The experience was truly top-notch. I'd give it 8 talons out of 8 (assuming that's how many they have). read more

Kirk and Denise are awesome educators, falconers, and fun people. They were available for our camp's animal encounters and it was an amazing experience for our kids and chaperones. They were able to see their Harris's Hawks, named Heyduke and Shanti, as well as Habibi, their Lanner Falcon, and Tigger the Great Horned Owl. They were incredibly attentive to our kids' questions, as well as offering amazing insight to how the raptors operate, their instincts, and tons of fun facts. It was a privilege to work with them. I highly recommend them as educators, facilitators, and a uniquely awesome experience with some incredible birds. read more

Sky Falconry - Kirk and Denise with our campers. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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My son and I signed up for the Hawk Walk and had an exceptional experience learning about the Harris Hawk (Hay Dude) and hawk behaviors, skills, and handling. We also learned about the long history of Falconry and it's use in hunting. The property history was given and part of the old foundations still remain from the original ranch and rooms. I would highly recommend this experience and am planning more visits and more learning with the other species of birds (falcons and owls). I have a deep and longstanding love of all birds and being close and being able to handle the birds under the guidance of Kirk and Diane was amazing. They obviously love what they do. We enjoyed every minute of it. Below 2 shots of Jon's adventure! read more

Sky Falconry - Hay Duke lifts off into flight, Magnificent birds with extremely precise flight skills. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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Yes!! Greatest birthday ever!! Just be prepared for a long dirt road.... But well worth the drive!! read more

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There are not enough words to adequately describe how amazing this experience is. Two friends and I drove out from different areas for the "Private Raptor Experience" and was it ever an experience! First, you need to know that Denise and Kirk are incredible. They share their knowledge with you and give very clear directions and guidance throughout the entire experience, making it incredibly comfortable and FUN. The other plus is that Denise is an incredible photographer and will use your phone to capture a ton of amazing shots of the experience so you don't even have to worry about that--just focus on the incredible raptors! A truly magical time. I can't recommend it enough. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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An epic adventure in a wide open part of Alpine. We did the full raptor and owl add on. Pay attention to the directions you get or you will have trouble finding it. Very highly recommended, wonderfully knowledgeable handlers, and the birds are in charge. If they don't feel like doing anything, they don't force them or withhold rewards. If you have any curiosity or interest in the wildlife right over our heads, this is the place to go! read more

Sky Falconry - Harris Hawk on approach - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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A really awesome and unique experience! My wife and I did the private experience and had an absolute blast. Denise and Kirk were very hospitable and informative, you could tell they really care about the birds and they were very engaging. It was so neat to get to interact with these birds up close and it was something I've always wanted to do. The views are incredible too. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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The most wonderful experience! I never could imagine that meeting an owl and falcons up close could be such a magical experience. I recommend sky falconry, it couldn't have been better. I had the most fabulous day thank you. read more

My sister and I went to Sky Falconry about a month ago - with high hopes and expectation. It was just us and we first met Kirk and he set the bar high for awesomeness. Denise then joined us (equally awesome). They are stunningly knowledgeable, totally a part of these creatures lives and do a wonderful job of passing their love along to others. But then... Tig, the owl, was brought out and - as a major fan of owls - having him land on my gloved hand and interact was indescribable. That was followed by hawk and falcon meetings. All so remarkable and interesting and fun. The time passed in an instant. I can say that if you even sort of, maybe think you would like to go to Sky Falconry, just schedule it and go. It is a truly incredible experience read more

This is a must do if you're in the San Diego area. The drive was a short 45 minutes from ocean-side and featured a gorgeous view of the city, ocean and mountains on the way up. Denise and Kirk are welcoming, knowledgable and Kirk was full of great dad puns! In the most fun way possible, you'll learn about the history and purpose of falconry, about the birds, how to help their population thrive and more. We did the Hawk Walk and I would 100% go back. Be ready to walk around the gorgeous trails and fly a raptor many, many times. You might even get to walk with the bird perched on your glove! It doesn't get old watching the bird soar silently, softly landing on your glove for a snack. Denise and Kirk confidently set you up for success so you don't feel nervous around the bird. I'm still smiling thinking about how fun this experience was! read more

I came down from Orange County with my wife and daughter yesterday, exclusively with the idea of participating in one of their experiences. It was well worth the drive to and from. Kirk and Denise were informative docents. I especially appreciate their kind treatment of my elementary school age daughter. They smoothed over any hesitancy she might have had in handling these beautiful animals simply by their professionalism and attention. If they didn't make a convert, they definitely solidified a young person's love for animals and care for the environment. And it was pretty awesome for the adults too. Strongly recommended. read more

There is a reason this place has over 200 reviews and not a single rating below 5 stars: they deserve it. The couple that runs Sky Falconry are so knowledgeable, passionate, and kind. They offer an extremely unique experience that I believe everyone should try. I brought my partner here because he has an obsession with birds of prey, and I left sharing in that with him. I LOVE THIS PLACE great for all ages read more

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This was an amazing experience, that literally gave me tingles the entire two hours. We did the private walk with both a hawk and a falcon. The owners and the birds gave us an experience of a life time. They're kind, funny, safety conscious, and impart their knowledge with passion. My heart pounded with delight each time they flew to or took off from our glove. What a high! I've always loved watching these birds soar and hunt in nature, but being a partner with them was the highest honor and thrill. I absolutely think that everyone should do this. It's more exciting than you can even anticipate. We're proudly wearing our Sky Falconry T-shirts! read more

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I've wanted to do this ever since I first read about Sky Falconry a few years ago. I managed to keep the Hawk Walk a secret from my 10 year old until we got there! Denise, Kirk, and Steam were all amazing. But let's face it, Steam is the star and stole the show. Look at everyone's faces in all of the pictures! Pure joy and wonder, because this was unlike anything I've done before (and I've done some cool things in amazing places in this world) and it must be the same for most. Same for our visit, our AMAZING group (GO class of March 19th 2022 at 1:30!!) all showed how we felt in our faces: smiles as well as oohs and aahs all around... Genuine, heartfelt, spontaneous wonder and laughter and amazement during our Hawk Walk. So much so that I can't wait to do it again and bring along others. And part of this experience was learning about these magnificent raptors and how we, in our far removed neighborhoods and lives can still do our part in helping to protect them. My kiddo excitedly wore his "Sky Falconry" shirt to school today. Thanks to everyone involved in showing us how extremely badazz Mother Earth is. And I almost forgot to mention the clean air and spectacular view! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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Very cool experience. The staff were great at educating us and creating a safe learning environment for us and the birds. The birds were incredible! read more

Such a great adventure in our own backyard!! Very conscious of COVID precautions. It's a great way to relieve cabin fever. If you're looking for a place to enjoy beautiful wildlife and learn about falconry and raptors in general, look no more! And because of the unique certifications at Sky Falconry, you'll even be able to interact. Denise and Kirk share information about the history of falconry, the behaviors different types of birds and personal stories about their interactions - all told in a conversational way that keeps your interest. Then they give very clear instructions on how to use your body language when working with the birds and your hands-on adventure begins! I purchased gift certificates, so instead of giving more "stuff" we were able to share an experience. It was a great success!! Even the drive up was an adventure. Highly recommend #skyfalconry read more

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Excellent, informative experience to be up close with these magnificent raptors. Denise and Kirk are extraordinary hosts and very accommodating. They go out of their way to ensure everyone gets to interact with the majestic birds. Lanner falcon was my absolute favorite to watch in flight. Thank you Denise and Kirk for an unforgettable time! read more

This should be on everyone's bucket list. Denise and Kirk provide an event that amazes me. We had the opportunity to interact with both a hawk and a falcon. This wasn't simply "watch how amazing they are." We actually put on a glove and had these amazing raptors land on us. More important they taught us how incredible they were: I can't believe how much I learned from them. If someone wants to start a scholarship fund for students, let me know. PS: Kirk, the book we talked about is "The Evening and the Morning." read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

We did the private hawk experience with Denise and Kirk and it did not disappoint. They were super fun, informative and made sure we had the best time and we did! We will definitely be coming back and would recommend this awesome experience to anyone else who wants to learn or experience these amazing animals up close. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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Best experience ever. Instead of holiday gifts we wanted a local experience. Living in San Diego my entire life and having explored almost everything, I wasn't expecting this. My husband heard an about Sky Falconry on KPBS and was sold. If you love San Diego's back country, raptors and a total hands on experience you'll love this. Great photos too! read more

Sky Falconry - Launching! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

Highly recommend anyone that loves nature and animals to book a class!! We did a private hawk walk with an owl experience and it was amazing! Denise and Kirk are fantastic falconers-knowledgeable, funny, down to earth and kind keepers of this ancient art. read more

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This is a must do! We took our daughter for her 19th birthday, and we had such a great time. We learned so much about these amazing birds, we would definitely do it again. Thank you Denise and Kirk for an amazing time. You guys rock! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

This was an amazing experience. The birds of prey are amazing, and I enjoyed handling the birds. Kirk was very entertaining. and Denise shared the importance of conservancy for these birds. I strongly encourage you to support what Denise and Kirk are doing. They are the voice of these beautiful birds, and we need to do more to protect their habitat. I would encourage you to do the private experience. read more

Outstanding experience - a chance to do something so unusual, in stunning countryside with highly engaging hosts. When would you otherwise have the chance to see a falcon swooping right by at ground level at nearly 70 miles an hour? Or have a hawk or falcon land on your outstretched glove? This encounter is so interactive with majestic and beautiful birds. We also added the owl encounter and it was so worth it. Denise and Kirk are also passionate and engaging about educating visitors about the birds, which rounds out one of the most unusual and exhilarating experiences in the whole of California. You need to sign up online but it was a straightforward experience and the drive finishes down an unmade road (you are out in the wilderness even though only two miles away from the edge of town) but that means you get spectacular views as a bonus. Just go! read more

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I've tried to write up a yelp review for Denise and Kirk at least 4 times since we left Alpine and I still honestly don't even know where to begin! I surprised my boyfriend this past weekend with a private raptor experience and it is honestly something that I will never forget. Kirk and Denise had such a positive energy to them--they were unbelievably knowledgeable about raptors and their passion and enthusiasm for conservation and husbandry was legitimately palpable and contagious. The experience itself was a feast for the senses--not only did we get to fly these amazing creatures, we were also treated to one of the most beautiful scenic backdrops during our short hike (Denise is also a wizard behind the camera [even a cruddy cellphone one!] and she took so many great shots of us, seemingly effortlessly!). I never thought that I would have the opportunity to experience something like this, but Kirk and Denise made it a reality. This is such an amazing experience for anyone who has even the slightest interest in raptors and I couldn't recommend it more. Just a couple hours south of Los Angeles, this made a perfect weekend getaway and I honestly can't wait 'til I can do it again! Thank you Denise and Kirk! read more

Sky Falconry - Handsome Kwa Koi the Harris's Hawk - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

Sky Falconry was an incredible experience! Denise and Kirk are not only knowledgeable and patient with questions, but their energy and enthusiasm for falconry spreads to every aspect of the experience. They were welcoming and friendly as soon as we arrived and felt like old friends. The birds themselves are magnificent! They definitely know they are the stars of the show and are absolute professionals the entire time!! My partner and I did the basic falconry lesson and it was not only breathtaking, it whet our desire for more. We'll definitely be returning for the hawk walk in the near future! Thank you to Denise and Kirk for such an amazing and informative visit! There can only be one and it is Sky Falconry!! read more

If you've ever wanted to level up your Badassery, go see Denise and Kirk at Sky Falconry. You can see the passion and respect they have for the animals they humbly work with. Thank you for leveling me up, I have not stopped talking about my experience to my friends and family. read more

Sky Falconry - Steam! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

An absolutely unforgettable experience. There aren't enough stars to rate the Raptor Experience. You get to free fly two raptors; a falcon and hawk. When Kirk and Denise are speaking and teaching you about these birds, you can see their respect and love for them. It's amazing to see the relationship they've built with their birds. Falconry is more than just flying a bird around, it's trust, respect and they are working together. We were lucky enough to see the hawk hunt and what the handlers job is when the bird finds prey. Just amazing! Kirk and Denise are professional, knowledgeable, funny and personable. You get so much more than just some instruction on the sport of falconry. It was suitable for adults and kids that are old enough and able to respect an animal and listen to instructions really well. If you get the chance to experience this, DO IT! It is money well spent, every penny of it. Both myself and my kids (youngest aged 10) all loved it. read more

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I took my family to see Sky Falconry and we all had a fantastic time. Our hosts gave us a detailed and fascinating lecture on falconry and the characteristics of their birds. It was absolutely one of the most interesting and informative lectures I have ever attended. I am a glider pilot and I was most fascinated by the fact that raptors can see UV and infrared light and can therefore "see" the the atmospheric thermals in which they circle to gain altitude. These creature are truly amazing, and our hosts obviously loved and revered their birds. We were then given the opportunity to interact with a Harris hawk who flew back and forth between the guests and landed on their gloved hands. It is absolutely thrilling to have this magnificent animal land on your hand and look right at you up close and personal! This was a great experience and I would recommend it for anyone of all ages. You have to experience it to believe it. I will definitely be going back to experience one of their more in depth tours. read more

Absolutely wonderful experience! I highly recommend if you have any falconry or hawking fans in your family. Everything was great and I enjoyed the experience as a non-participant. My husband was a participant and he had a great time and said it was the best day of his life. My one warning is that getting to the class location requires you to drive on a rocky dirt road. If you are like me and have never done it before, it can be freaky. Just be prepared for a rocky drive up a high mountain. However, the experience was totally worth it! I highly, highly recommend! It is a great hidden gem here in San Diego! read more

Amazing amazing amazing! Between the education I received, the time hawking, to just the overall experience, Sky Falconry provided an opportunity everyone should try. Thank you once again for allowing me to be part of that day. read more

Sky Falconry - Oh just me catching a hawk! - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

AMAZING experience! We splurged and got the Private Raptor Experience. You start off by meeting all the birds, and getting a quick lesson about the Harris hawks and Lanner falcons. The trainers are so knowledgeable, and are clearly passionate about their birds. It is amazing to hear how much trust and dedication it takes to train each bird. After that, you get to take a walk around their beautiful property with one of the Harris hawks (we had Kwa Koi). There are tons of opportunities for photos and hands-on time with the birds. It was also so fun to see how each bird has its own unique personality, and how much that actually shows as you interact with them (especially finding out that Kwa Koi is definitely a mama's boy!). After plenty of time with the Harris hawk, we switched over to the Lanner falcons. We interacted with both Ali Baba and Habibi. They DEFINITELY are full of personality, and are absolutely stunning to see in action and up close. (Plus, they have to wear a gps tracker that looks like a tiny backpack and honestly, who doesn't want to see that?) You can hear facts about how fast these birds are, but it doesn't even come close to seeing them in action. The trainers are absolutely as friendly as they are knowledgeable, and made for a very engaging, entertaining and informative experience. Their love and respect for their animals is abundant, and the trust these birds have in "Mom and Dad" is incredible to see. read more

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Absolutely incredible. I did a private hawk walk and could not sing higher praises of the experience. By far one of the coolest things I've ever done. These folks are great! Super knowledgeable and personable, and the birds are beautifully trained and cared for. We got to interact with two of their hawks and I'd love to go back someday for the falcon and the owl! The ranch property is beautiful, too. read more