- All Activities
- Adventurous8
- Black Diamond0
- Invigorating6
- 14
A Cabin in The Woods–Escape Boar’s Head Escape Room
- Easy
- 1.5 Hours
- 8
The Spirits of Virginia–Distillery and Winery Tour
- Easy
- 1.5 Hours
- 12
Falconry Experience
WHAT IS FALCONRY?Falconry, the art of flying trained birds of prey after wild quarry, is alive and well in the United States. Imagine the thrill of walking through a field with a falcon flying above your head at 1,000 feet or higher. She is waiting for you to flush a pheasant from the bushes. You know it is there because your well trained pointers have indicated. When the falcon is in the proper position, you flush the game, the falcon turns and begins its head first dive. Your adrenaline is rushing. The next thing you know, the falcon hits the pheasant in the air, binds to it, then carries it to the ground where she will patiently await her reward. This is Falconry….
Picture yourself walking through a field hitting every piece of brush and trying to flush out rabbits. Your Harris Hawk follows you from tree to tree, waiting and anticipating the flushing of game. Suddenly a rabbit breaks from the brush, the hawk quickly takes off, and turns to chase the rabbit in aggressive pursuit. Eventually the rabbit out maneuvers the hawk, he turns in mid-air and returns to your glove for a small reward.
This is Falconry….
THE SPORT OF KINGS. Historically, falconry was used as status symbol for the nobles of Medieval Europe, Middle East, and Mongolian Empire. The sport was mainly restricted to these classes due to the commitment of time, money, and space. Although the nobles would not train the birds themselves, they would pay Master Falconers extravagant sums of money. The Master of the Mews was in charge of obtaining, grooming, and keeping the best hawks in constant readiness for hunting. Thus, Falconry became the Sport of Kings!Within nomadic societies, birds of prey were not a status symbol. Instead, falcons were trapped and used to hunt small game during the winter months. These falcons helped to supplement their very limited diet.
Falconry Experiences
Beginners Lesson
The Boar's Head Falconry Beginners Lesson offers guests the rare opportunity to experience the 4,000-year-old sport of falconry, or “the sport of kings”. This incredible beginners lesson allows you to feel the thrill of working with majestic birds of prey. Most of our lesson takes place at our private bird chambers on the property of The Boar's Head Resort. You will get the chance to interact with a variety of captive-bred, trained birds, including owls, falcons, and hawks.The lesson begins with a flying demonstration and a chance to learn about the fascinating history of this sport. You will be transported to our mews where you will meet the rest of our birds. After learning the appropriate techniques from our professional guides, you will get to hold a trained hawk on your fist. This lesson is truly a once in a lifetime experience!
Intermediate Lesson. Once you’ve had a taste of falconry during the beginner’s lesson, you’ll want to book an intermediate lesson — an amazing, hands-on excursion with a trained Harris Hawk. Accompanied by an expert guide, you’ll venture out onto one of The Boar's Head Resorts's scenic trails.Once there, you will don a falconry glove, and have a trained hawk placed on your gloved fist. Under supervision of our expert, you will cast the hawk into a nearby pine and watch as it follows you from tree to tree, returning right to your glove for a small reward. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
- Easy
- 1.5 Hours
- 12
Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Easy
- 2.5 Hours
- 12
Flatwater Kayaking
- Easy
- 2.5 Hours
- 12
Ancient Weapons and Axe Throwing Experience
- Easy
- 2.5 Hours
- 12
Bike Rentals
- Easy-Difficult
- 1-8 Hours
- All Ages
Scavenger Ox! The Charlottesville Challenge
- Easy
- 2-3 Hours
- 5-100
Paintball Challenge
Devise offensive strategies, create defensive plans, eliminate your opponents in an exciting game of paintball.
Welcome to the world of paintball! During your visit to Charlottesville, VA or during your stay at The Boar's Head Resort, experience one of the fastest growing sports in America. As you arrive at our wooded field, you and your 10 member team will feel the excitement grow as we discuss safety and game rules, and are issued gear and paintball markers. During your two hours at the Boar's Head Outfitters paintball course, you will participate in multiple game scenarios. These games might include capture the flag, where teams compete to be the first to retrieve the opposing team’s flag, or elimination, a timed game where the team with the most members left at the end of a predetermined time, wins.The price per person includes everything needed to enjoy the competition. Each team member will receive a semi-automatic gun, paintballs, coveralls, and a face shield. So, put your goggles on and feel the excitement of the pursuit 2020PRICING AND AVAILABILITY Pricing: $99++ per participant Availability: Tuesday and Friday at 9:30a, with reservation Duration: 2 hours If your group has 4 or more players, and would like to play outside our normal tours, just give us a call!- Easy
- 2 Hours
- 12
Geocaching
- Easy
- 2 Hours
- 2-25