I kind of cannot believe that this is even an option - like in life. To be fair, there is a lot that goes into it so the fact that Sky Falconry is so cautious and good with the birds is what makes it all come together. My 6 y o is really into birds of prey and it is safe to say that this completely blew his mind. The amazing thing is that he was able to get to work with the birds in an intro course and that it was so accessible. He had no fear and very much appreciated the birds. We will be back! We have told just about every friend about it and it is hard to imagine having kids and NOT doing this. Even from San Diego it is not a long drive to get to their location in Alpine. read more

I purchased a private experience with Sky Falconry for my husband's birthday, as wearing a leather gauntlet(or whatever they're called) and having a falcon take off from his arm was on his bucket list. He went without myself as I am a nervous and loud giggler, and I figured I would spook the birds. Rick and Jace had an out of this world experience. They couldn't say enough about the people that took them on the hike, their knowledge, their companionship, their dedication to their birds, their partnership with the birds. They worked with falcons and hawks and saw some bald eagles as well. Made me look like an MVP! I think my son would move out there if he could. 10 stars!!! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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An amazing experience! Denise and Kirk are extremely knowledgeable and funny too! They take all the proper precautions and put everyone at ease, following all federal guidelines. Beautiful birds in a scenic setting. You will learn about what makes these raptors tick, and conservation efforts to keep them thriving. We will be going back for more! read more

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It's been almost a week since my family and I visited Sky Falconry for a Private Raptor Experience with Denise and Kirk, and I am STILL on Cloud 9 from that day. I had purchased the event as a wedding anniversary gift to my husband, and it may have been one of the best gifts I could've given my family. From start to finish, the experience was magical. The drive through the mountains to their ranch was scenic, the facility was tranquil, the birds were majestic, and Denise and Kirk were so knowledgeable, friendly, welcoming, patient and just pure awesome. Not only did we learn a lot about hawks and falcons, but we gained an even greater respect and appreciation for them by being so close and experiencing them in flight. It's hard to put into words the feeling you get from watching these birds fly and land on your glove. It's definitely a once in a lifetime kind of thing that as one reviewer has said, "it's the Bucket List item you didn't know you needed." We loved the passion and care Denise and Kirk have for their birds. The chemistry between each other and the birds is remarkable and creates such a positive vibe that makes you feel almost zen. As a side note, we visited during Covid-19, and they have done a phenomenal job of creating a VERY safe and sanitary venue. I highly recommend treating you and/or your family to a Sky Falconry event. You will NOT be disappointed. Thank you guys! read more

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

Had a great "Hawk Walk" with Kirk and Denise on Saturday right after Christmas. It was a brisk morning and Denise had squeezed us in as they weren't planning on doing an early walk that day. Thank you for that, Denise! What an amazing experience being so close to the birds, in such a beautiful environment (on top of a mountain) and with such kind and knowledgeable people. We all got to call "Steam" many times over the course of our walk and got to watch her do a simulated hunt. We got pictures and bought some special items at the end. My sister bought a beautiful necklace as Denise also makes jewelry. Thank you to both Kirk and Denise! You guys are amazing and I'll be bring other folks back as well. The walk was safe (Covid) and fun. I highly recommend it - well worth the trip and the cost! read more

Outstanding experience! We did the private raptor experience and it was totally worth it. Having the hawks and falcons fly to you was amazing! Kirk and Denise were the perfect hosts. Both were so friendly and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Sky Falconry. read more

I cannot recommend sky falconry enough! Such an amazing experience lead by two amazing people! My wife and I were gifted the private raptor experience as an anniversary gift, I didn't know what to expect but I was definitely surprised. We had a little under two hours with Denise and Kirk who know all the ins and outs of the sport of Falconry and the animals themselves. Not only were we entertained but we were educated on the birds themselves. We spent our time with Shanti the Hawk and Habibi the Falcon. Both animals were majestic and awesome. I am completely convinced that this needs to be at least a once a year experience. Being this close to these animals is a mind blowing experience. If you are in central Sam Diego or visiting for a weekend, make the trek out to sky falconry. It will definitely be worth your while. read more

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Visited Sky Ranch Falconry with Sarah and Daniel today. Great morning with Denise, Kirk and 2 amazing raptors. My kids treated me to a private hawking experience for my 70th birthday and it was a wonder- perfect weather, great hosts that are passionate and knowledgeable. Having these beautiful animals light upon your lifted hand, seeing their grace, power and perfect adaptation up close, what an awesome morning read more

Sky Falconry - Shanti looking regal - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

What an awesome experience with Denise & Kirk today at Sky Falconry!! We had the pleasure of encountering two of their amazing Raptors! Attended the morning session at 10am, we were able to meet the birds and chat to both Denise and Kirk for a bit - they are really nice and take good care of these birds on their 20 acre property. Note: getting there was no problem at all if you follow Google Maps (the dirt road wasn't too long and was in decent shape - drive safely though or you'll find yourself flying off those cliffs). Back to the lesson though, you may find it a bit pricey for $70 per person for just an hour ... but it is totally worth it, especially if you have never done something like this before :) The hour was broken down as follows: a. Trivia (how much do you know) b. Orientation (education) c. "Gimme Steam" (flying sessions with our bird: Steam) The majority of the time is spent flying (so don't fear), it is a group session though and we had roughly 14 people with us (obviously the more folk the less hands on time you get). In total you get to "receive and dispatch" the Hawk 3 times (twice where you're all standing in a large circle and the bird flies from one person to another, and once where it flies from one of the trainers to you - and also the one and only time you'll get to take the photos you need with the Hawk!!) Check out my pics for a preview, really awesome experience and we may look to do the Hawk Walk next time! read more

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This is a MUST do experience. Very knowledgeable and they absolutely love what they do. Patient with all of our questions and these two genuinely took pride in sharing their experience and passion for and about Falconry! Covid Note: I felt extremely safe and the team at Sky Falconry took simple and safe steps to ensure the well being of their guests and themselves. Class Act during these challenging times. read more

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Such a great time! Kirk and Denise were great hosts, super informative and fun. Highly recommend this to everyone!

One of the most incredible experiences I've ever had!! My husband and I did the private hawk walk and had so much fun. We got to interact with a hawk & a falcon and learned so much about them both! We were in awe at how awesome these birds are. Thank you so much Denise & Kirk you guys are so great, we had a blast! read more

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Such a unique and cool experience. Denise and Kirk make the walk both fun and informative. You can tell they have a lot of passion for what they do. I was an observer and still really enjoyed it. Just being that close to a bird of prey is so cool. Would definitely consider going back to be a participant! read more

This was an amazing experience!!! These were my type of people and could see being friends with them. The owners were friendly, knowledgeable, and great at leading the group. The raptors appeared to be well cared for and the owners had an obvious care and compassion for the birds well-being. I high recommend visiting and doing a class / walk. read more

This was such a fun and unique date! They are so passionate and you learn so much while being captivated by falconry!

Absolutely magical experience with Denise and Kirk and their beautiful raptors. My wife and I took the trek to Alpine for the private raptor experience and we are both so glad we did. Sky Falconry love what they do and it shows through in every moment of your time with them. If you're scrolling through reviews trying to figure out if it's worth it.. Stop and schedule, you will not regret it! read more

Sky Falconry - Shanti the Harris' hawk - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

This was amazing. Denise and Kirk are great. Definitely recommend the private raptor experience for anyone that's on the fence about it. It's worth the money. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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You know how you see something cool at a store, pick it up, see the price and put it back down. This is not one of those things. You get your sweet cheeks to the check-out line NOW. Sky Falconry is worth every penny and much, much more! What are you getting? The most knowledgeable and personable instructors on the planet! Kirk and Denise are both gems. Kirk kept us in stitches as he regaled us with stories of falcons and their "loyalty" and Denise somehow managed to remember everyones names. The kind of service they provided to us on June 3rd is a lost art. They are FIVE STAR individuals. You'll get an incredible sense of intimacy with the birds. We had a group of about 12 and I was so surprised that everyone got good one-on-one time with an instructor and the bird more than once! It's only a couple of hours (or less), but we walked away feeling like professionals and again, that's a huge credit to Denise and Kirk. Sky Falconry is one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life. Not only was it fun (I mean like REALLY fun), I learned so much about our feathered friends and I'm now low-key a bird activist. So there's that. :) Impressed isn't the word. I'm still totally flabbergasted that this experience somehow managed to exceeded every single review I read before booking. Hands down one of the best ways to spend the day in Southern California and one of the best ways we've ever celebrated my Mom's birthday. TIPS - The dirt road in is no joke. You will need to drive slowly and carefully. Give yourself enough time so that you don't need to rush. I'd say it took us 10-15 minutes driving in a midsize compact crossover SUV. -While you are permitted to take photos whenever you like, there is designated photo-op time at the very end of the course. Denise will quickly take some fantastic pictures for you so that you're free to just enjoy the day and be present. Do yourself a favor and put your phone away until the end. -There's a CVS in town in case you forget a hat/sunglasses/sunscreen. -There's a port-o-potty on site. -There are no long walks involved in the Basic Falconry Lesson, so if you have trouble walking long distances, no worries! You can still enjoy this gem of a day. -They had t-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, etc. for sale and I would have bought more but I didn't bring cash. They do take cards, but I'm a cash kinda gal so I decided to skip. We visited on Monday June 3rd, 2019. read more

Sky Falconry - Denise hard at work. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

Our goal was to divert our two teenage grandsons' attention from video games and explore nature. We had been to the SD zoo with them on several occasions, but we needed to up our game with something both exotic and intriguing. We heard about Sky Falconry from a story they did on KPBS radio and decided to give them a try. After showing up with the boys at 8 a.m. for the Hawk Walk, we had no idea of what to expect. That was a good thing, as both young and old were surprised and delighted by what we saw over the next hour and a half. Denise and Kirk are passionate falconers, and shared their wealth of knowledge with dazzling detail and personality. The Harris Hawk performed awesome acrobatic flights and all we had to do was assume the correct position and hold our gloved arm up to have the magnificent bird land about a foot from our faces. And we each got several close encounters with Heyduke! Denise ended our experience with a plea for respect for these awesome birds of prey by explaining how humans can help ensure their survival. The morning was exceptional and is already a treasured memory. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

The experience at Sky Falconry was hands down one of the best animal interactions to be had. Kirk and Denise's professionalism, hospitality and in-depth knowledge made the experience one of a kind. If you are considering going, GO!!!! It is well worth the price and provides a great experience that both individuals and or a small group will enjoy. From learning about each raptor species, seeing the raptors interact in their natural environment and being able to call the raptors to perch on your own hand, was simply awesome. Thank you Sky Falconry and thank you Kirk and Denise for the experience. (We did the raptor experience). read more

Sky Falconry - Habibi - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

What a great time we had! Never in a million years would I have EVER imagined having a raptor perched on my arm. Honestly, I was afraid of them, but my husband was interested so I went along. After our experience, however, I have a deep appreciation for these beautiful, magnificent creatures, and will eagerly advocate for their welfare. We have several interested friends who have seen our videos, and can't wait to come back! read more

Spending time with these amazing raptors, and learning from Denise and Kirk was a transcendent experience. No other way to describe it. if you love wildlife and nature, you must do this ! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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What an amazing experience and opportunity to not only see these amazing animals up close and personal but the views are absolutely breath taking. Highly recommended. read more

Exceptional! This is in one word how I would describe our recent experience at Sky Falconry. I am an amateur photographer with a passion for capturing birds in flight. Denise and Kirk met and exceeded our expectations. We booked the Private Raptor Experience. After an informative discussion on raptors, we got down to watching and photographing a harris's hawk and lanner falcon perched and in flight. Kirk and Denise listened! Once I got a feel for how the birds were positioned and flown, they were very flexible on how to stage for maximum photo accomplishment. They as well made suggestions on staging that expanded my opportunities for great shots. Finally, we have a family member confined to a wheelchair. We were at first concerned that this experience might not be well suited to someone with disabilities. We were assured that they could accommodate a wheelchair, and they delivered. If you have a family member who is in some way disabled, you might clear it with Sky Falconry first. Showing that family member some beautiful scenery on the way, and then having them enjoy the raptors, is a unique "off the beaten path" great way to spend a few hours! read more

Flying raptors with Kirk and Denise was one of my most favorite life experiences! I can't recommend this enough, they are knowledgable, friendly, great people and the Hawks & Falcons are absolutely beautiful. It's absolutely worth the drive (2.5hrs from LA), but the scenery and mountains make it great. We learned a ton and have a newfound respect and awe for these great birds. We'll be back for sure! read more

Absolutely a blast! I've been wanting to visit for a while and we decided to go finally. Honestly, the experience exceeded my expectations. The falcons whizzing past you while they fly is exhilarating. Walking with the hawks is such a unique experience that is hard to describe. Denise and Kirk are such a pleasure to be around and are so knowledgeable. I'm already planning another visit soon! read more

Something new in town...we bought the Travel Zoo deal a couple weeks and I thought to try this out & really enjoyed ourselves! It's a little drive out there but it's ok we were in for the adventure. They just opened for business this May and from what I hear they sold quite of bit of the deals to last them through for a little while. What's interesting outside of being up in close to a bird of prey is that you really learn quite a bit from the class and how birds act & how old this sport/hobby is. The couple that runs the school are great & very easy to get along with and what I really love is you can tell they do this for the love of falconry and it's nice to see people do something they love for a living instead of thinking of it as a job. I'm down to support that anyday! read more

Decided to purchase the hawk walk for my boyfriend and I as a birthday gift to him. The day of the initial reservation was forecasted to be bad weather and so our reservation had to be rescheduled. However, Denise was gracious enough to give me first dibs on choosing a new date, and we got in the next day which worked out great! The day of the walk it was pretty misty outside and the road up to the property was really muddy. My little car would have had a hell of a time getting up there. Fortunately, Denise and Kirk cam down in their vehicles and shuttled us up. Was really thankful for that! As for the actual walk, wow! Amazing! Such an experience! The duo are incredibly knowledgable, interactive, and engaging! And the raptor, her name was Steam and she was Harris Hawk, was incredible! She engaged with us the whole time and put on a great show! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for anyone with an interest in raptors, animals, or looking for a unique experience. Thank you Sky Falconry! read more

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This experience with the birds deserves 10 stars. Denise and Kirk were so nice and have so much knowledge. I highly recommend this to everyone. The birds were amazing. read more

Amazing! Denise and Kirk opened a week early (and saved the day!) for us to accommodate a private raptor experience for my son's 7th birthday, and it was absolutely amazing from the moment we got there. Denise and Kirk are a wealth of knowledge and they share it with you throughout the day in an informative, passionate, and entertaining way while seamlessly flowing through the entire raptor experience, and not missing a beat to ensure you go home with excellent photos. They were personable, patient, and professional and clearly cared deeply for their birds and the environment in general. We got to fly with Steam and Habibi and they were both absolutely beautiful! My son said it best as he was holding Steam: "this is the best day of my life!" -- go here! You won't regret it and worth every penny. Helpful tip: if you are thinking of bringing your young(ish) child, make sure they have a long attention span. The experience lasted two awesome hours and you have to follow a handful of instructions quite closely. This is not only for your safety, but the birds' safety as well. If you don't think your kiddo can hang for that long or be trusted to follow instruction exactly all the way through, perhaps hold off on this experience until they are a tad older. read more

I went in to this experience a little nervous about giant birds coming toward my face, but I had such a great time and learned alot! The owners, Denice and Kirk, are so passionate about falconry and conservationism, and I felt supreme appreciation for the whole experience. I will recommend this in my day to day life to friends for sure! BOOK IT ASAP IF YOU'RE READING THIS! You won't regret it! read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

This was an AMAZING experience. Our family decided to surprise the Dads on both sides for an early fathers day adventure. Denise and Kirk made it so amazing, educational ,relaxed and fun for us to get to know the birds in a way that we would not otherwise experience. When we initially planned this, I was unsure if I would be an observer or participant in flying the birds. We are outdoors people but never this up close to a bird of prey. Once on the property it was clear... the experience ROCKED. Not scary at all. These guys are experts at their passion and it shows. Cannot recommend this more....you will not be disappointed and will make a memory that is so much better than dinner and a movie :) This is REAL, natural and a must do bucket list activity! read more

Amazing! I've always loved raptors so this was the perfect experience. The trainers take great care to make sure everyone in the basic lesson group enjoys each part of the experience, reminding us to enjoy the moment and that there will be a time for photos and videos after. We spent the lesson with Heyduke, a male Harris hawk. Watching him interact with his trainer and the rest of us was so interesting! I really want to take a hawk walk next! read more

Sky Falconry - Trainer with his hawk after the lesson. - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

Falconry has been on my bucket list for years. When I finally decided to research a place, Sky Falconry here in San Diego was the first thing I saw and I did not hesitate to book a reservation. My boyfriend & I participated in the one hour class session. Denise & Kirk are awesome. These people are a wealth of knowledge and you can tell they genuinely care for their beautiful raptors. We learned a lot with in one hour about: the history or falconry/"hawking", different species that at local to the area, and the life (spans) of these birds. But most importantly we learned about conservation awareness. Their goal is to educate and inspire others to help make an effort in conservation in natural environments. Highly recommend this experience, it's definitely one of a kind and a lost art. Ps. Now I'm dreaming about a falconry license and if this is something I can fit in my life in the near future. Because is more than a hobby, it's a lifestyle. read more

Sky Falconry - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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Sky Falconry experience was gifted to me by my children for my 75 birthday. All 4 of us participated. I've had many exciting adventures in my life; and this rates right at the top. I encourage anyone to do the upgrade experience where you have the most interaction with the Raptors. They don't just place a bird on your fist or have it do tricks. They give you an experience of all the many natural talents and abilities these magnificent birds possess. We flew a Harris's Hawk and a Lanner Falcon. I can't describe well enough how special this was and how great the two Falconer guides were. Do it!!! read more

Had the best time this morning at the basic falconry lesson with Kirk and Denise - both are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, it was a pleasure to listen and learn, and so much fun to interact with sister Steam, their beautiful hawk! Thank you for such an awesome experience! read more

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This was an ABSOLUTE AMAZING, BREATHTAKING, EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE!!!! Honestly words can't describe our day with Shanti, a BEAUTIFUL Harris Hawk. We did the Private Hawk walk with Denise & Kirk last week, they were very educational, and you could feel and sense the passion and love they had for Falconry. The way they interacted and cared for Shanti was so genuine and caring. The walk was excellent, very scenic and almost zenful like, it wasn't rushed and didn't feel like a tour. Felt like we were out and about with some friends and this AMAZING HAWK..... obviously that's the whole reason your there right!!! Interacting (there was a lot) with Shanti was honestly one of the most amazing things we've done, ever! Again, words can't describe it, but we will be back for sure. If your debating, stop and book right away. Seriously. Thanks again Denise, Kirk and more importantly Shanti!! read more

I bought my girlfriend a private session at Sky Falconry and couldn't be happier. Denise and Kirk are very informative, helpful, and positive. They allowed us to handle a hawk and a falcon. We took a short trail walk with the birds. They flew between us multiple times to our gloves. All along, Denise and Kirk answered our questions and made the entire time enjoyable and fun. They even helped us take pictures with the hawk and falcon. The experience far surpassed the price of the package. The dirt road that leads to the property was easy to traverse. We did it in a Prius so don't let that deter you. Do yourself a favor and get out to Alpine! read more

I'm obsessed with the raptors that live around my house, so for Christmas, my husband went all in and arranged the Private Raptor Experience at Sky Falconry: just the two of us, the instructors, and the amazing birds. I had three months to dream about how cool the lesson would be, but the actual day exceeded all expectations. Our session started with an educational presentation about the birds, and then we did some various flights and a toss game with the hawk, and we finished flying the falcon (which flies only in the private sessions). The private session was perfect for us since we like to ask a lot of questions, so we certainly appreciated having all the attention! The owners are very professional, knowledgeable, and fun. I can't recommend Sky Falconry enough. This experience takes your breath away. read more

Sky Falconry - Habibi between sips of water - Specialty Schools Near Me - Alpine, California

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