Courses

From a short, 15-minute hawk walk, through to tailored advanced courses, PNWR can help you learn about the handling, care, and management of raptors. Raptors are not suitable as pets.   They are however, magnificent animals and the staff at PNWR feels privileged to work with them and be close to them. They also like to share this experience with other raptor enthusiasts.

All courses (with the exception of hawk walks, owl prowls and Kookaburra Encounters) must be booked in advance! Please call or email to ensure availability.

For groups larger than 4, or specialized groups, we can tailor courses to your requirements. Please enquire for specifics.

Courses offered (see below for more information on each course):

- Hawk walks

- Eagle Encounters(new)

- Owl Prowls and Kookaburra Encounters

- Raptor Experience

- Raptor Day

- Full week Raptor Course

- 2-3 day Apprentice Courses

- Parties/special events (birthdays, corporate, photography groups, reunions etc.)

Be sure to bring your camera!

Hawk Walks

Hawk walks are 15-20 minute walks that give you a brief and very fun intro to birds of prey.
Hawk walks bring you into the forest with a Harris' hawk, giving you the chance to have it alight from the trees onto your outstretched hand. A great family outing!

Available daily (bookings preferred) after the flying demonstrations.

Minimum age is 8, for groups larger than 4 please book to ensure availability.

$12.00 + admission

New for 2010:

Eagle Encounter

Spend an hour in the company of eagles - learning about their lifestyles and how they survive in the face of human expansion. These large, marvelous birds, require the utmost in our respect and admiration. Have a rare chance to meet these amazing animals up close and personal. Get a behind the scenes look at breeding eagles, working with and feeding eagles and learn more about their importance in the environment.

Must be booked in advance.

$85 per person

Min 1 maxium of 4.

An Owl Prowl or Kookaburra Encounter

Enjoy the company of an owl as you spend 15 minutes learning about owls and their ecology. Walk through the woods and see them glide along above you through the trees. They will also land on your gloved hand when you call them.

Minimum age is 6, for groups larger than 4 please book to ensure availability.

Daily at 12:30 or as pre-booked

Kookaburra encounters are great for younger children - minimum age is 4. Please call to ensure availablily.

$10.00 + admission

Raptor Experience

(Half-day program, 10.00 am to 1.00 pm or 11.30 am to 2.30 pm: please eat a late breakfast or bring a snack!)


A half day “taster” of what it is like to work with the birds.  Get a personal tour of the centre, and some background information on BC birds of prey.  Learn how to approach, pick up, and handle hawks and falcons.  Plenty of hands-on opportunities and end the afternoon with a hawk walk in the woods.

$75.00 + GST

Raptor Day

(10:30 - 3:30 with half hour lunch break, please bring a packed lunch!)

Spend a day learning about and working with these amazing creatures! During this course, you will get the opportunity to meet most of the centre's birds, handle several different species, learn about feeding and how to work with a bird of prey - and spend some time in the flying field, calling the birds to your glove. This is a fantastic day and a once in a lifetime experience, seeing behind-the-scenes why and how these birds return to people and trust us to be their assistants. We have had people come from all over the world to take this course, leaving with a true sense of having met natures finest atheletes.

$145 + GST

Introductory Full week Raptor Course

Please enquire for dates (offered May/October)

Pacific Northwest Raptors offers a five-day falconry course twice a year for individuals seriously considering taking up falconry as a sport, or for those involved with raptors professionally.  This course covers the basics that you really need to know to care for and fly your own bird – bird selection, housing, feeding, general care, training, management, legislation and so on. You will also handle a variety of raptors during the daily practicums. It's a fantastic, fun and exciting course that flies by, literally! So much information is packed into five days - we often have evening sessions to try to fit in as much as possible!

$675 + GST.

Apprenticeships & Workshops

A number of 2 or 3 day, intensive and hands-on courses are organized throughout the year, allowing apprentices to get an up-close look at how the staff at PNWR works with raptors on a daily basis. Great for teenagers or families looking for a way to spend some time with these fantastic birds of prey. Apprentices are encouraged to stay for a day or two after the course to volunteer. Weekdays or weekend courses available.This is a primarily hands-on course, but also covers basic duties of raptor care - cleaning, feeding etc. It's a true behind-the-scenes as you play assistant to our biologists for a few days.

Minimum of two students, maximum of four

$330 per person for 3 days $220 for 2 days

Please call or email to inquire about availability.

Parties/special events

Having a party with the birds can be a fun, exciting and wonderful time. For kids and adults, PNWR can host your party. On site there are picnic tables and space for you to have a picnic, cake and fun. We can also organize a fun hands-on experience for your group. From a kestrel or owl experience to a meet and greet with Elton the Spectacled Owl, it will be a memorable and educational day.

For special events or groups, we can specialize an encounter. Please call or email your details and we will happily design a program especially for your group ro event. We have been to weddings, hosted reunions, conferences etc.

Please call ahead to book! Price based on numbers and experience booked.

Other Courses

If you have specific needs that are not catered to in PNWR's regular courses, please call to enquire; we may be able to tailor something specifically for your group. (Contact info)