Lorrie Schumacher is a Master Falconer who resides in Earlville with her trained raptors and has created the unique and inspiring “Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience” (the word “talon” identifies birds of prey with raptors). “Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience” is an impressive program that has enchanted groups of all ages and sizes across the country. Over several years Schumacher has taken her trained raptors to corporate events, schools, scout camps and sportsmen’s shows throughout the eastern U.S. to teach, and share her mastery as a falconer.
Locally, the Hamilton Theatre has hosted Schumacher to the amazement of adults and children alike.
In addition to scheduled appearances, Schumacher also contracts with production companies where her birds are featured in movies for education and entertainment.
She and her daughter, Talon Skyre, 12, also visit hospitals where they enjoy knowing “they touch people”. It is important to stress that she is not a performer, she said, but instead, “feels a heartfelt love for the birds and their place in the environment.”
When arriving at Schumacher’s home she first wants her visitors to meet Bella Luna, a Barred owl who resides in the large maple tree just outside Schumacher’s front door, she said. Bella Luna is sweet-faced with a delightful personality and watchful eyes that can charm anyone.
Bella Luna has been a member of the Schumacher family for one-and-a-half years and has the typical habits of owls in that her needs are food based, and so she scours the countryside at night for her food supply. Bella Luna always travels with Schumacher and her daughter to guarantee she eats well and stays healthy.
Along with Bella Luna, Schumacher has several raptors and each have creative names that seem to match their personalities. Two favorites of the ‘Talons!….Experience” team are Mocha Latte, a falcon, and Big Momma, a European Eagle Owl. Both have been trained to recognize their names and come when called. According to Schumacher raptors are very bright creatures and, like Bella Luna, after un-tethered flights always know where home is.
When asked why she has chosen this life vocation, Schumacher said she grew up in Florida and always longed for the outdoors and remembers watching Wild Kingdom for hours. Her daughter, Talon Skye is twelve years old and has grown up with falconry and also feels a great connection to birds.
Schumacher explained that falconry is an “ancient sport of kings” and dates back four thousand years.
Falconry “gives me a unique connection to nature and also allows me to give back to the environment,” she said. According to Schumacher, falconry is a very responsible sport and requires time and dedication in learning how to work with your raptors. She stressed that, “as a falconer you must understand that the welfare of the birds and the future of the sport are the falconer’s responsibility.”
As a master falconer, Lorrie Schumacher is licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which requires several phases of education and experience, along with recommendations by at least three licensed New York State master falconers.
Along with offering shows around the country Schumacher offers hawk walks that last about two-and-a-half hours. She also operates a falconry academy and offers flying and training techniques for novices and seasoned falconers. The hawk walks include private sessions and learning the use of a gauntlet. For more information, call Lorrie Schumacher at 415-1686 or visit rapotorsbirdsofprey.com.
