Shops, falconers getting ready for hunting season

The falcon shops at Souq Waqif has started to make the necessary preparations to cater for the expected high demand on their services as falconers are getting ready for the hunting season in September.Local Arabic daily Arrayah reported that these shops have imported good numbers of falcons, especially peregrine falcons, from different countries such as the US, the UK, and Spain.In addition, by mid-September they will import more falcons Iran, Pakistan, Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan and others. Falcon traders at the market stressed that they have all the varieties of falcons preferred by Qatari falconers, whether those bred in captivity in farms or those from the wild. Besides, over the past few years they have been able to achieve self-sufficiency locally manufacturing all the necessary tools and accessories for falconry.A number of falconers stressed they are anxiously awaiting the start of the upcoming hunting season and enjoy their trips to the wild areas to train their falcons in preparation. They often start with hunting some of the migratory birds and then go hunting the Houbara bustard bird, which is more challenging and exciting.They highly appreciated the advanced veterinary services offered by the falcons' clinic at Souq Waqif, which enable them to check the health of their falcons and make sure that they are free from diseases.Abdulaziz al-Tamimi said he starts preparation for the upcoming hunting season by going to Souq Waqif Falcon Market to look for a falcon that matches his desired specifications and requirements. He said that falcon hunting is an integral part of the Qatari culture heritage and the country is keen to enhance such interests among young people and encourage them to take part at the various championships and competitions in this regard.Saeed Nasser, 11 years old, said he went to the market to buy his first falcon as he wants to pursue falconry and follow the steps of his elder brother. He also stress that his family support him to follow his passion for falconry, which would teach him many positive things and keep him away from the virtual world.Mostafa Hamad, falcon salesman, said that his shop has recently received a good number of falcons from Spain, Ireland, and expects to have more from the US, London and Ireland. He pointed out that the Spanish falcons he has are almost all farm breeds and sell for a price range of QR10,000- 25,000 each.Many shops across the market provide all the necessary falconry accessories and tools, mostly locally made. Shops also have adequate quantities of vitamins and drugs often required for falcons, he added.