By P.K. Wink

Hawking, a hunting sport from distant antiquity with a history going back some 4000 years, is alive and well thanks to dedicated aficionados like Steve Robello and Mark Duval. These two local falconers periodically give public demonstrations sponsored by the American River Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing natural habitats where wildlife can flourish, at the Gold Discovery Park, located along historic Highway 49 in Coloma, Californa. No actual hunting went on during the recent lecture and demonstration since permitted hunting areas and legal seasons for hawking are tightly controlled by law. But the wide-ranging talk and exhibition stirred visions of old English barons hunting wild game with predator hawks, falcons and even eagles.

Raptors were a status symbol in ancient times dating from at least 1700 B.C., as shown on bas-relief in Assyria, continuing on through the 15th century. During their heyday, there were harsh penalties for disturbing nests or poaching falcons as the birds were quite valuable; such protective policies marked the beginning of modern-day rules on conservation. According to our lecturer, the advent of more efficient weaponry, i.e., firearms, in the 1400’s almost overnight ended the popularity of raptors and made their use as hunters less widespread.

Today there are some 3000 licensed falconers in the U.S. who have taken classes, undergone testing through state Fish and Game Departments, found a sponsor, completed a two-year Apprenticeship, upgraded to General level and after five years, finally achieved status as Masters. The conservation efforts of these experts have rescued species such as the Peregrine Falcon from endangered status.

As part of ongoing historical activities at Coloma, site of the 1848 gold discovery by James Marshall at Sutter’s Mill, the American River Conservancy offers a number of programs throughout the year. Living history events, sponsored by the Gold Discovery Park Association, occur around holidays and always on Gold Discovery Day, January 24th. The park museum was recently renovated and makes a worthwhile hour-long visit. Its vivid historical displays include an authentic stagecoach, period costumes, photographs and well-used gold mining tools. The adjacent gift shop offers gold jewelry, books, toys and period dress patterns.

Following the falconry lecture, two gleaming golden brown raptors were released into the sky as a highlight of the event. These were Harris Hawks, known as “wolves of the sky” because unlike most hawks that hunt in solitary, the Harris hunts in packs, working in tandem to capture their prey then sharing the kill.

Freed from their perches, away the two birds went, tethers dangling, flying low and banking purposefully one direction and the other, oblivious to legal hunting areas or seasons. They paused in nearby treetops, hungrily scanning the terrain for unwary ground squirrels or other appetizing morsels. The intimidating pair was lured back with treats of gory meat-bundles before they had a chance to snag any unsuspecting critters. In fact, we learned those sharp-toothed clawed critters could be hazardous for the hawks, who risk injury to their legs in attacking such well-armed prey. In open fields during legal hunting seasons, the birds prefer gentler fare of rabbit, duck, quail or grouse.

“Are they sort of pets? Do they like you?” someone asked Mark.
“Oh no,” he laughed. “If they could hold me down, they would eat me.”

Perhaps so and the caution was sufficient to restrain any effort at petting the beautiful, yet sinister-looking creatures. But the brief flight by these “wolves of the sky” was enough to make the pulse race and the breath quicken from the sheer primitive bloodlust of it. The thrill of watching those powerful wings and the cold, hungry look in raptor eyes brought a distant world of hunting into sharp relief.

• Melodrama at the Olde Coloma Theater. Five different shows are presented from mid-May through late December. This is one of only three theaters in the state that allows audience members to interact with the cast by cheering the heroine and booing the villain.
• American River Music Festival in September, held at nearby Henningsen-Lotus Park, features a day of rafting and music, naturalist-led hikes and music, musicians teaching in schools, and of course a wide range of performers on the main stage and in many smaller ones in local campgrounds.
• American River Acoustic Music Camp in August is a learning opportunity open to individuals and families.
• Coloma Gold Rush Live, which takes place in October, is full of sights, sounds, scents, and hands-on experiences as costumed volunteers living in a tent encampment and working a recreated mining camp demonstrate history.
• Christmas in Coloma offers an old-fashioned Christmas celebration each December, with period crafts, music, strolling musicians, historic trade demonstrations, 19th-century children’s games, and wreath making, highlighted by a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.