Michelle hosts an engaging episode of the "Shoe Dares Wins" podcast featuring Jess Hill, a dynamic and accomplished professional falconer. Jess shares her journey into the world of falconry, starting from a young age and learning under the guidance of her cousin, Ben. Despite entering a predominantly male profession, Jess's passion and determination have led her to establish her own successful falconry business. This episode delves into her experiences, the intricacies of handling birds of prey, and the challenges she has faced and overcome in her remarkable career.

Throughout the episode, Jess describes the rigorous and sometimes dangerous aspects of working with birds of prey, emphasizing the importance of confidence and competence in her field. She also discusses the ethical considerations and misconceptions surrounding bird control, particularly in urban environments. Jess highlights the significance of inspiring the next generation, sharing her dedication to mentoring young enthusiasts like Charlie, who aspire to enter the falconry world. Her story is one of resilience, passion, and the drive to break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Jess Hill's remarkable journey in falconry began at a young age and was significantly influenced by her cousin Ben, who introduced her to the world of birds of prey.
• Handling and training birds of prey, especially larger species like eagles and vultures, requires immense confidence, patience, and an understanding of bird behavior.
• Despite the male dominance in falconry, Jess has successfully carved out her own path, establishing a thriving business and mentoring aspiring falconers.
• Bird control using falcons is seen as a natural deterrent, although it sometimes requires legal lethal deterrents to manage aggressive or problematic birds.
• The falconry community can be unwelcoming to newcomers, but social media has helped in making the field more accessible and approachable for aspiring falconers.

Notable Quotes:

1. "I got thrown straight into the deep end. There was none of those, like, trainer falcon here, there, everywhere it was, yeah, put that glove on, pick this up, go over there type thing with someone with an eight foot wingspan." - Jess Hill
2. "And then this poor little lad or lass that just wants to have a, have a dabble in falconry, they walk away, and they think, what's the point? Why would anyone want to do that?" - Jess Hill
3. "Everyone that's involved with birds of prey, big or small…they’ve got a lot of spiky things on them. So you need to bear that in mind and just act cautiously." - Jess Hill
4. "If you want something good out, you've got to put a lot of good in." - Jess Hill
5. "She was trying to rip my throat out the entire time, I tell you now, honest. And I was just looking at her thinking, I hope my insurance will cover this." - Jess Hill (on handling a peregrine falcon for a photoshoot with Tyson Fury).

Resources:

• Jess Hill's instagram @falconandfieldsports

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