logo
Side Area Youtube Icon
 

Hands-on Experiences

CURRENTLY OPEN FOR PRIVATE ENCOUNTERS ONLY

Please click below for information and to book

Want to get closer?  The Raptors offers a wide variety of opportunities for you to get up close and personal with some of these amazing predators.  Take a walk through the woods with a hawk, look in to the eyes of an owl, or even spend the whole day immersing yourself in the world of raptors.

Whichever you choose, these once in a lifetime opportunities will help you form a lasting respect for the natural world.

All of our hands-on programs are offered at our visitor centre, located in the Cowichan Valley, ten minutes from downtown Duncan.

Minimum age for all courses is 8.

 

HAWK WALK

Take a walk on the wild side, as you meander through a forest or field with a hawk flying overhead. Put on a glove, and have the hawk fly down to alight on your raised fist. Experience length is approximately 15-20 minutes.

Hawk Walks are a part of our CLOSER Admission experience. See below for prices.

    • Adult: $38
    • Seniors & Youth (13-17): $36 
    • Students & Military: $36
    • Child (8-12): $26 
    • Groups of Four: 10% Discount
    • Groups of Five or more: 15% Discount

Encounter

Meet some amazing birds up close! Over the course of an hour, you’ll spend some time hanging out with several species of raptors on your glove, and experience a Hawk Walk as well! Experience length is approximately 45 – 60 minutes.

The Encounter is a part of our CLOSEST Admission experience. See below for prices.

    • Adult: $60
    • Seniors & Youth (13-17): $56
    • Students & Military: $56
    • Child (8-12): $30
    • Groups of Four: 10% Discount
    • Groups of Five or more: 15% Discount

Raptor Experience

Spend an afternoon with our birds on the Raptor Experience! This two-hour program will get you up close to our amazing raptors. You’ll get to spend some time with birds on your glove, go for a tour, and fly the birds with us!

Minimum two (2) people required to run. Solo participants inquire for bookings. 

    • $110 / Person
    • 10% discount for any Group of Four, and 15% for any Group of Five or more
    • Cost includes CLOSE Admission.

Raptor Day

Spend the day with some of the planet’s finest predators, and dip your toes in to the world of raptors! This experience runs all day, from 10am – 3:30pm, with a break for lunch. You’ll get to spend time with many different birds, and learn how we work with, train, and care for these raptors.

Minimum two (2) people required to run. Solo participants inquire for bookings.

    • $185 / Person
    • 10% discount for any Group of Four and 15% for any Group of Five or more
    • Cost includes CLOSE Admission.

Apprenticeship (2 days)

The apprenticeship program at The Raptors offers people a close up opportunity to see how we work with our birds. Participants will shadow one of our wildlife staff, and learn all about the feeding, training, and management of many different birds of prey. A fantastic experience for any bird enthusiast!

Minimum two (2) people required to run. Solo participants inquire for bookings. 

Week Long Falconry Course

The most in-depth course we offer, the Week long course is designed to teach the basics of handling, training, and hunting with a raptor. It has a much greater falconry emphasis than our other experiences, and is tailored towards people interested in becoming falconers.

The course covers legislation, health and nutrition, equipment, care and housing, training, and a variety of other topics. It is an intensive week with a lot of hands-on and some theory.

LOOKING FOR GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS?