Your Red-tailed Hawk is well manned and flying to the fist on a creance. When do you feel comfortable flying it free?

Flying a raptor free requires a solid understanding of the bird's training and responsiveness. The correct answer underscores the importance of distance and reliability in establishing trust and control between the falconer and the bird.

When a Red-tailed Hawk can consistently come to the fist from 50 yards, it demonstrates a high level of training, confidence, and the bond that has formed between the falconer and the bird. At this distance, the hawk has proven the ability to navigate and return over a significant space, which is crucial for free flying. This indicates that the bird is well-manned, meaning it is calm and responsive, and that it has learned to associate returning to the falconer with positive reinforcement.

In contrast, the other options suggest distances that may not fully reflect the necessary level of training. Coming to the fist or lure at shorter distances could imply that the bird is still developing its training and may not yet be prepared for the unpredictability of flying free. Proper training involves ensuring the bird can respond consistently over longer distances, reinforcing reliability in various environments and situations before transitioning to flying without restraint.