The Archives of Falconry

The Archives of Falconry The mission of The Archives of Falconry is to collect, preserve, and interpret global falconry history, art, literature, and material culture.

The Archives of Falconry is an independent non-profit whose mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret global falconry history, art, literature, and material culture. Since its inception, TAF has grown into a world-renowned repository of falconry material culture and historical records. The Archives collects and preserves falconry heritage and the legacy of notable falconers, including their c

orrespondence, memorabilia, art, crafts, and life stories. Moreover, The Archives interprets significant events, advancements in falconry history, and explores falconer’s roles in the birth of raptor conservation. We are a destination for falconers, sportsmen and women, scholars, journalists, and other interested public - to visit, support, learn, and explore this 4500-year-old connection between humans and birds of prey. We are located next to The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho

This delft blue ceramic tile, made in Holland, depicts a hawk capturing prey. The artwork is an example of raptor and fa...
05/29/2026

This delft blue ceramic tile, made in Holland, depicts a hawk capturing prey. The artwork is an example of raptor and falconry imagery as it has appeared in this medium across Europe, starting in the 17th Century. An assortment of similar pieces can be found using TAF's online search engine, here: https://tinyurl.com/yey4z3c5

This piece was acquired by The Archives of Falconry from William “Bill” G. Mattox in 2015. Learn more about it in the Archives collection:
https://falconry.catalogaccess.com/objects/10244

Two new artworks have been added to The Archives’ permanent collection through a recent donation from the Nelson estate....
05/27/2026

Two new artworks have been added to The Archives’ permanent collection through a recent donation from the Nelson estate.

Morlan W. “Morley” Nelson spent a lifetime studying raptors and filming their behavior in the wild. One of those moments inspired "Eagle and the Falcon," an original oil painting by Morley's son, Norman Nelson, illustrating a dramatic single frame from one of his father’s films.

The donation also includes "Prairie Falcon," an original watercolor by American wildlife artist Earl Lincoln Poole, which once hung in Morley’s Boise, ID, home.

Both pieces now join The Archives’ art collection and may be viewed on guided visits. Pictured are artist Norman Nelson and TAF Curator of Collections Monica Dean with the recent acquisitions.

Formative years of noted Canadian falconer, author, and illustrator Frank L. Beebe’s life are recorded in these personal...
05/25/2026

Formative years of noted Canadian falconer, author, and illustrator Frank L. Beebe’s life are recorded in these personal diaries from 1950–1959.

First mentions of falconry appear in 1951, becoming a central focus by 1952 as Beebe documents his growing practice alongside his work as a professional illustrator. The entries include correspondence with numerous prominent falconers such as Harold "Hal" Webster, with whom he would write and illustrate their influential book, North American Falconry and Hunting Hawks, first published in 1964.

These pages are part of the Frank L. Beebe Collection, acquired by The Archives in 2003. Take a closer look through select pages from these diaries:
https://falconry.catalogaccess.com/archives/11424

05/23/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is out now!

From a historic Indianapolis Prize win for our Madagascar Program, to new milestones for California Condors, Aplomado Falcons, and Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawks—this past year is a story of what's possible when science, community, and long-term commitment work together. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/TPF25AR

📷 Cover image of Rüppell's Vulture by Julio Gallardo

A painting by Hans Peeters depicting Zill, a gyrfalcon flown by the late Bill Burnham, after taking a grouse near Lidy H...
05/22/2026

A painting by Hans Peeters depicting Zill, a gyrfalcon flown by the late Bill Burnham, after taking a grouse near Lidy Hot Springs, Idaho, in 1980.

Jim Cranmer and Peeters gifted the work to falconer, and former Peregrine Fund CEO, Bill Burnham. The painting is now on loan to The Archives from Kurt Burnham, Bill’s son, as a new 2025 accession.

A note on the back of the painting reads [spelling uncertainties in brackets]:

This painting depicts the end of an excellent flight near Lidy Hot Springs, Idaho. The [female] gyr's name is Zill. [or possibly Jill] and was a supreme bird. The flight was a second flush on a flock. The first grouse was chased off and put in. The falcon came back high and Turk was again on point & flushed the second bird when Zill killed in style. Jim Cranmer and Hans Peeters gave this painting to me. Cranmer, Dave Tami and Ken Riddle observed the flight which occurred in winter of 1980."
[Bill Burnham Signature]

View this item in our collection:
https://falconry.catalogaccess.com/objects/10535

Associate Curator of Collections Gwen Gallagher is beginning an exciting new chapter as she prepares for graduate studie...
05/20/2026

Associate Curator of Collections Gwen Gallagher is beginning an exciting new chapter as she prepares for graduate studies in ornithology.

During her time at The Archives, Gwen became an integral part of the team. She digitized much of the Archives’ photo collection, helped develop and implement systems for processing archival documents, and became an expert in the digitization technology that has helped make this work more efficient and accessible. As Curator of Collections Monica Dean put it, “We are going to miss Gwen SO MUCH!”

This summer, Gwen will be participating in ornithology research projects in the Ithaca, New York area while preparing for the next step in her academic journey.

We wish Gwen all the best in what comes next!

Charles Hawkins Fisher’s “Reminiscences of a Falconer” offers a firsthand account of British falconry in the late 19th c...
05/18/2026

Charles Hawkins Fisher’s “Reminiscences of a Falconer” offers a firsthand account of British falconry in the late 19th century, written by one of the era’s most respected falconers. Completed shortly before his death and published in 1900, the book recounts Fisher’s introduction to the sport, the falconers he knew, and the practice of hawking across England during a formative period in falconry history.

This inscribed first edition, now preserved in the Archives collection, was purchased by The Archives of Falconry in 2003.

View this item in the Archives collection:
https://falconry.catalogaccess.com/library/2401

“Cadge Porter” by Riet Koel-Hemmer.A bronze figurine depicting a cadger, the traditional term for a person who carries h...
05/16/2026

“Cadge Porter” by Riet Koel-Hemmer.

A bronze figurine depicting a cadger, the traditional term for a person who carries hooded falcons in the field and assists falconers during the hunt. Originally sold through the Falconry and Cigar Makers Museum in Valkenswaard, this piece was later donated to the Archives by Patrick Morel in 2007.

View this item in the Archives’ collection: https://falconry.catalogaccess.com/objects/6089

A major milestone in the history of The Archives: the Bibliotheca Falconaria catalog is now complete!The Bibliotheca Fal...
05/13/2026

A major milestone in the history of The Archives: the Bibliotheca Falconaria catalog is now complete!

The Bibliotheca Falconaria Karl-Heinz Gersmann was the world's most extensive private falconry library, comprising more than 1,500 titles and 2,000 volumes. In 2023, TAF acquired this collection from its owner, German falconer and scholar Karl-Heinz Gersmann, who spent the previous 45 years building this irreplaceable treasure.

Read the full story and follow links to learn more about the original acquisition and incredible scope of this unique collection in TAF's April Newsletter: https://conta.cc/4syHhMk

Address

5668 W Flying Hawk Lane
Boise, ID
83709

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 4pm
Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

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+12083628256

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