Abatement Falconry Business Models

Two of the growers interviewed for this project have had experience using a single abatement falconer. One abatement falconer working solo was interviewed for this project.

Grower A- Grower A found a knowledgeable, well-trained abatement falconer at a fairly low price and continues to have success working with this person. The falconer and grower mutually benefit because bird abatement finances the falconer’s primary interest- falconry for sport and leisure. This situation is unique, but can be a highly effective partnership if a grower and falconer are lucky enough to come by one. The cost is approximately $300 a day.

Grower B- Grower B fired his falconer after one week. Several years ago Grower B was approached by someone from California who claimed to have abatement experience. The grower agreed to pay him by splitting the cost between three other growers, which came to about $75 per grower per day for bird management. Within a week, the falconer had lost his bird and spent a good portion of the day trying to hunt it down. Dissatisfied, Grower B now uses a combination of other bird abatement methods that he considers more effective.

Falconer A- Falconer A does work with a company as well as on his own. His cost is $600 a day, which seems to be about the going rate. What is unique about this falconer is that his cost is the same regardless of the acreage or changes to his own inputs such as gas for an ATV, or using more raptors for a particular job.

This business model involves paying a company to cover all possible aspects of a grower’s bird management, including abatement falconry and any supplemental techniques that may be needed. Two abatement falconry companies were interviewed for this project.

Company A has falconer(s) live on site. This particular company emphasizes its own style of abatement strategies and techniques.

Company B gives growers the option to train a farm employee in falconry techniques or to have professional falconer(s) live on site during the season. This company emphasizes the raptor species it uses specifically for blueberries.

Two types of companies using this method were evaluated for this project- one using a co-operative model, where several growers split the cost of abatement falconry, and one where several growers split the cost of abatement falconry, but the falconer only enters the field if there is significant pest bird threat.

Co-operative is a model that has the potential to be successful given the right conditions, including: the right geography, a knowledgeable and trustworthy falconer and a group of growers that have a solid working relationship. In other words, this model may work if everyone involved has experience working together and has the potential to save growers a great deal of money. For those new to abatement falconry or those using a new falconer, this may not be the best first time approach. See Grower A's experience using a single falconer for more details.

Grower insurance is a term and an idea that several falconers brought up in interviews for this guide. We did not see the practice in the field or interview any growers that had experience using this practice. The idea seems to have a lot of kinks, but it is a model to be aware of, should a falconer suggest it.