Abu Dhabi's Falconry Season: A Blend of Tradition, Camaraderie, and Modernity

As the afternoon heat subsides over the dunes near Remah, in Abu Dhabi's Al Ain Region, Emirati falconers convene in a majlis. They share Arabic coffee, fruit, and stories, with no sense of urgency. However, as prayers conclude and the sun begins its descent, the focus shifts to the hunt. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has officially declared October 20 as the commencement of the emirate's falconry season, which will continue until January 31.

For Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri, a falconer who manages the uaefalcons Instagram account, the cooler months signify daily excursions into the desert. Today, he is accompanied by Shaman, one of his prized falcons, equipped with a GPS tracker attached to a tail mount. "Every bird has a specific prey it can hunt, so you can't just release any bird," Al Marri explains. "For instance, this one we release after stone-curlews [kerwan], pigeons or birds of a similar size." Other falcons are trained to hunt the houbara bustard or the Arabian or desert hare.

Today's outing is a training session for a miqnas, a traditional multi-day hunting expedition designed to showcase the falcons' skills. Saeed Suhail Al Muharrami, who has been practicing falconry for 20 years, is also present. Emirati falconers gather after falconry practice in the desert near Remah. Falconers practice with their birds just before sunset to avoid the day's heat. Emirati falconers travel internationally with their falcons, which require passports. Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri is seen with one of his prized birds. A falcon swoops as the falconer swings the lure. A falcon is pictured with its prey. Falcons perch on a stand, known as a wakr in Arabic. Falconry is a traditional Emirati practice, with the season running from October 20 to January 31. Omar Humaid Al Hameli, a specialist in animal conservation at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, is also featured. Different breeds of falcons are capable of catching various types of prey, including houbaras and desert hares. Ammar bin Humaid Al Marri is seen giving water to his falcon, Shaman.

"Within the UAE, we have [designated] hunting grounds in local nature reserves where we can hunt easily. We prepare our vehicles to always be off-road ready, equipped for rugged desert terrain," Mr. Al Marri states. "As for equipment, we need GPS transmitters for the falcons, Magellan navigation in the car, radio frequency trackers." The interview is briefly interrupted when a spot of red appears on his kandura, a scratch from the falcon attempting to fly off – a common occurrence. Sometimes, a falconer might even return home with a kandura stained with blood from a forgotten dead pigeon. "How many times a season we go out with the birds depends on God's blessing and financial circumstances," Mr. Al Marri shares. "Once a season is guaranteed, God willing, while a second time depends. It could be at the beginning of the season – around this time or a bit earlier – and another in January or mid-January."

Mr. Al Marri's eyes gleam when discussing his hunting trips, which he feels transcend the mere act of catching prey. For him, the true essence lies in connection. "The gathering of brothers, family, and friends – that is what hunting trips are truly about. Hunting itself is fun, and if you catch prey, you feel proud, joyful, and excited," he says. He cherishes many fond memories and enjoys the camaraderie, which includes cooking together and sharing small moments. "Especially the funny situations, like when you release your falcon after a houbara or specific prey and your falcon misses it, then your friend releases their bird and catches it," he recounts. "At that point, they spend the whole trip teasing you and having a laugh at your expense." The falcons are trained using lures made of houbara feathers to mimic their prey.

In this exercise, the birds are positioned on their stands, known as a wakr, within the hadhira – a circular gathering area in the sand. The falconers, one holding the bird on their arm and the other with a falcon lure, the tilwah, fashioned from houbara feathers to imitate prey, stand at a distance. The bird is held on the left hand, as the right hand is reserved for greetings. The falconer skillfully whips the lure away just before the bird can capture it. The falcon is released after its hood, the barka, is removed and its legs are untied. The lure is then swung in circles, prompting the falcon to soar and dive towards the simulated "prey." The falconer continues to move the lure, creating a dynamic display of the falcon's speed and power until it eventually strikes the lure. Each bird is trained for a specific type of prey.

For Omar Humaid Al Hameli, an animal conservation specialist at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the ritual begins with removing his shoes, essential for a true desert experience. "Falconry is mentioned in the Quran, dating back over 1,400 years, so it is deeply embedded in Arabian roots," he tells The National. "In the old days, people would capture falcons at the start of the season and train them to assist Bedouin people in hunting prey in the desert. At the season's end, the trainer would release the falcon to continue its migratory journey. Nowadays, with air-conditioned facilities, falcons are kept indoors during the hot season until the next season commences." The season's dates are influenced by weather patterns, such as rainfall, and the migration of birds. The UAE has designated specific hunting grounds within its nature reserves. Falconry licenses are issued via the Tamm app, permitting Emirati falconers to hunt only captive-bred houbaras during the season. Restrictions apply to locations, with open areas at least 2km from roads being permissible. "Last year, falconers' demand for permits was very high, and we issued 1,525 falcon hunting permits. This year, from the start of the season, we have issued 823 permits," Mr. Al Hameli reports. "We expect this year's numbers to exceed last year's, given that the new generation has a genuine passion for this hobby." He reassures that there are no concerns about overhunting, despite the species being listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. "There is no such thing as illegal overhunting because the permitted prey, or houbara, are captive-bred. Furthermore, the agency has patrols deployed across all hunting locations, enabling us to maintain sustainability while preserving our heritage," Mr. Al Hameli stated.

Saeed Suhail Al Muharrami, a resident of Remah, hails from a family with a long tradition of falconry. He continues this legacy, having practiced the art for over 20 years in the UAE and internationally, including in Mauritania. "We inherited this hobby from our fathers. Ever since we came into this world, this hobby has been present. It's a beautiful hobby that you naturally fall in love with," Mr. Al Muharrami shares. For this outing, he brought his Hurr Wahsh, a wild-caught Saqer falcon renowned for its beauty and hunting prowess. "From the start of the trip to its end, it's pure enjoyment. We explore other countries and new locations to hunt. It's a wonderful journey. We take it as a combined trip of travel and hunting," he says.

Mr. Al Marri also travels internationally with his birds, a process that requires meticulous preparation, including obtaining falcon passports. The birds travel in the plane cabin alongside the falconers. "Every country you visit has specific conditions or restrictions regarding which prey you can hunt, which are prohibited, or setting quotas for certain game," he notes. Mr. Al Muharrami observes that falconry has become significantly more accessible due to technological advancements, from air-conditioned environments that keep the birds cool to the expedited licensing process available via mobile phones. "There's a big difference. Nowadays, science has advanced, tracking devices exist, facilities and ease of access have improved," he remarks. "Every year is better than the last. Any minor issues that occurred previously get resolved for the new season." The value of a falcon extends beyond prestige or monetary worth, with prized birds potentially fetching over Dh1 million. "There's a famous proverb: He who doesn't know the falcon, roasts it," he concludes.