We had the good fortune of connecting with Carissa Wood and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carissa, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2018 four Falconers found each other at the Arizona Falconers Association Desert Hawking Classic. While we were all Tucson Falconers we had never connected until that fateful day at the meet. Through our crazy sense of humor and shared love of Falconry we quickly became close friends. We were soon dubbed, The Tucson Mini Meet Super Friends. The Super Friends made up of Nate and Amber Danforth, my husband Brian and myself traveled the Southwest flying our cast of passage Harris Hawks and sharing many adventures together. Along the way we have introduced Falconry to countless people and about the only thing better than watching our birds command the desert skies is introducing the beautiful sport and art of Falconry to others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Sky Island Falconry Experience is all about us sharing our love and knowledge about the ancient sport of Falconry. Our falconry experience differs from other falconry schools as we are able to bring our guests into the natural environment in which our beloved Harris’s Hawks are native to. Running a falconry experience has its challenges. Navigating through the strict regulations may be the most difficult part but with hard work and determination we were able to acquire what is needed to be able to share these magnificent creatures with the public. Our goal is to be able to provide the true falconry experience to those who may not otherwise be able to become a falconer.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
We do things a little differently. If we were to have a friend visit from out of town, we would stray away from the city. We like to rough it a little. Pack up the truck with camping gear and our birds and go out into the wilderness. Waking up at day break to get out and let our birds fly and hunt until the sun sets would be the ideal day. After dark we would sit fireside as our dinner cooks. Rinse and repeat until our friend departs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sky Island Falconry Experience owes its success to quite a few people. Lets start by recognizing our team; Nate and Amber Danforth along with my husband Brian and myself. We wouldn’t be where we are without our friendship. The sport of falconry brought us to where we are and there are too many falconers in which we could thank for sharing their knowledge that fueled our passion.

Website: SkyIslandFalconry.org
Instagram: @SkyIslandFalconry
Facebook: @SkyIslandFalconry

Image Credits
Nate Danforth and Brian Wood