The American Hood

Russell Luff Meredith is often acknowledged as "The Father of American Falconry". He was a leading proponent of the sport in its development in the early decades of the 20th Century. A source of both advice and information, his own practice of hawking in the field was limited by his many years in the eastern US, constraints of a military aviator's career, and a severe encounter with a propeller that side-lined active military duty for many years. Through those years he set an example of ethics and propriety in the sport. A long-time gadgeteer, his major contribution to hood-making was description of a pattern for a modified Anglo-Indian hood (Falconry News and Notes;1(2):14-18). Others carried that patten forward into iterations that enhanced development of an American-style Dutch hood.

A Washington DC falconer and close associate of Alva Nye. Most known for his goshawk-ing activities, Fox also trapped for many years on the ridges west of Washington. An exceptional craftsman, he was said to cope a hawk "better than God." As a hoodmaker, Fox was an early proponent of molding hoods made from Luff Meredith's Anglo-Indian 1954 hood pattern over Dutch style forms. The hoods so produced had a significant impact on subsequent Dutch-style hoods made by a newer generation of American hoodmakers.

A member of Philadelphia's Peregrine Club, Wight began making falconry equipment in the mid-1930’s when equipment was otherwise unavailable except from abroad. Although ostensibly modeled on imported Mollen hoods, Wight's standard of workmanship failed to live up to the quality of the Dutch originals. He continued his efforts for many decades but he was soon surpassed by a growing corps of American craftsmen.

A student and friend of Robert Stabler, Larry Zuk was a serious, dedicated falconer. In his college days in Pennsylvania he attempted to copy Mollen hoods in the hands of local falconers but seemingly only pursued that endeavor for his own needs and did not follow it subsequently. Following naval service in California during World War II, he drove cross country visiting numerous falconers en route. Particularly struck by pheasant numbers outside Denver he returned and settled there, actively pursuing game hawking with bell maker Pete Asborno.

A German professional falconer closely associated with Renz Waller, Kals was first introduced to American falconry circles when referenced in Bill Russell's 1940 falconry book as a source of falconry furniture. His hood pattern and standards highly influenced Minard Stevens, resulting in the first quality Dutch hoods made in N. America. Stevens and several other American falconers purchased Kals' fine pencil drawings helping him survive the vicissitudes in Germany following World War II.

Brian McDonald was a master craftsman, accomplished in a variety of media. Close to Washington DC falconer T. Halter ("Dusty") Cunningham, the two trapped Peregrines together on the beaches of Assateague Island in the years following World War II. From those experiences the two came up with the American version of a leather, noose-bearing harness that has been a staple in American trapping ever since. With his skills, McDonald turned to hood-making and became America's first national-level commercial hoodmaker, offering both Anglo-Indian hoods and the modernized Dutch-style, made over forms of his own making. Along with Lou Woyce, he is credited with advancing the “smiling” beak opening in Dutch-style hoods.

A French professional saddler, not a falconer, Ondet was encouraged my members of the French falconry community and became recognized as a maker of high-quality Dutch-style hoods. Ondet was introduced into American falconry circles through his association with Philadelphia falconer Cornelius ("Corny") McFadden during the latter's European service in World War II. McFadden inspired hoodmakers including Bob Widmeier, Doug Pineo and Lou Woyce, with examples of Ondet hoods. Their standard had a recognizable effect on the quality of hoods produced in the United States in subsequent years.

H. J. Slijper was a Dutch artist and hoodmaker who came to the attention of Americans when he published a detailed article proposing a tailor's "canon"-type formula by which Anglo-Indian style hoods could be made to fit utilizing a basic measurement of the breadth of the hawk's head. While not uniformly consistent, hoods made using his formula fit well and were used in the U.S. for several years following appearance of the article.

Texas-born California falconer practicing until the advent of World War II, Stevens hawked during an era when most were holding birds more than hawking. Both before and following WWII, Stevens became an accomplished maker of fine Dutch-style hoods, little recognized however, due both to his retiring nature and higher pricing ($15) compared to the competition then under $10. Later in his career, falconers were impressed by his hoods after his wife Gladys ("Dirk") carved intricately beautiful designs on their exteriors.

June was a British veterinarian whose interest in hoodmaking was sparked by her falconer-spouse who was also the Secretary of the British Falconers' Club. Her hoods were particularly well made and of stylish appearance, yet retained the heavy stiffness of the classic Dutch hood together with its rectangular beak-opening. Her attendance at NAFA's 1963 field meet introduced her hoods to an American clientele. However American falconers were more and more drawn to locally produced, lighter-weight hoods featuring the new "smiling" beak-opening.

A Maryland falconer, Lou Woyce grew up in falconry as one of Corny McFadden's disciples. Among other talents, Lou was assigned (by McFadden) as a hoodmaker for the group. With his own considerable skills, and using as examples Ondet hoods supplied by McFadden, Lou became one of a small group making excellent Dutch-style hoods, continuing to improve over the years. He and Brian McDonald, led the development of a bell-shaped ("smiling") beak opening, designed to fit the contours of the falcon's beak, thus making for a far-more comfortable (and acceptable – to the bird) hood.

An Illinois falconer, Current was a close friend of Ed Fitch who he accompanied on hawking excursions to Nebraska as American falconers began to seek high quality quarry further from home. Although lesser known among contemporary hoodmakers, his finely made Dutch-style hood inspired many.

Gene Johnson was a falconer, artist, and falconry equipment maker of rare talent. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1970 with a degree in Wildlife Management and served in the United States Air Force as an ICBM Missile Launch Control Officer during the Vietnam War. At Wichita State University and Kent State University, he studied Fine and Graphic Arts, Arabic, Sculpture, Jewelry Making and Metal Sculpture in the form of knife making. Gene was recognized as a premier hood-maker in the eastern side of the US in the late 60’s and 70’s then later moved to Colorado. He is recognized as the first U.S. hood-maker to incorporate the Arab accordion-style back in a 3-piece Dutch-style hood. Seeking to capitalize on a potential Arab market he made use of Arabic script in advertising. The quality of his hoods attracted the affirmative attention of Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan al Nahyan as early as 1976 at the first International Conference on Falconry and Conservation hosted by that U.A.E. leader. Many of his later hoods had a maker’s mark of a falcon above the beak opening.

A California falconer, Martin was of considerable skill both with a hawk in the field and at his hoodmakers bench. In Southern California's aero-space industry he had learned the intricacies needed to shape the wooden block for his hoods. Coming in the aftermath of McDonald hoods, some considered Martin hoods heavier, which they were to a degree, but their fit was exemplary. His patterns and blocks were heavily influenced by Ondet. Martin's output went mostly to local friends, never receiving the notoriety they deserved.

Considered an inspiration by many contemporary hoodmakers, Moran was known for both the exceptional fit of his field hoods and an unparalleled level of artistry displayed in show pieces. Moran grew up in Pennsylvania where he received some formal art training before moving to California. He started making Anglo-Indian hoods over a block but was introduced to making the 3-piece Dutch-style hood by California falconer, and hoodmaker, Bob Martin. Later he moved to Colorado where he was influenced by Jack Stoddart. Before long, Moran began to refine his patterns and achieved a high reputation of exceptional fitting hoods. While some decorative hoods easily exhibit his artistry, others have concealed miniature paintings in the inside eye-panels.

Doug Pineo is the longest running falconry equipment vendor in North America. Doug also worked concurrently as a full-time wildlife biologist/ecologist for Washington Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (retired). He is an active supporter and volunteer for many conservation groups and falconry organizations. Doug published his first falconry equipment price list in 1968, and while he is known for the quality of his equipment generally, his Dutch hoods are widely regarded in North America and internationally, for their quality and fit.

Bob Berry is a raptor conservationist and cofounder of the The Peregrine Fund. He is also known for his role developing falconry telemetry. As a hoodmaker, he initially received instruction from Lou Woyce and then later Chad Cyrus. Never delving into commercial production, his hoods were primarily intended for personal use or given to friends.

The son of a California falconer, the late Rob Coleman showed tremendous artistic talent at an early age. Coleman’s paintings are prized by falconers and while he never made hoods commercially, and produced modest numbers, his elegant hoods reflected his natural artistic ability.

A native of Montana, the late Chad Cyrus advanced as a falconer under the influence of Pete Widener, the Mutch brothers, and Dan Konkel. He began making hoods as a teenager and was later mentored by Gerald Geiger. Cyrus sculpted his own blocks without copying others and sold hoods commercially for many years until his untimely death in 2011.

Gerald Geiger was a born in the prairie region of Glendive, Montana but relocated to the Missoula area where he became a falconer. He worked in the railroad industry while flying passage falcons and goshawks. He later relocated to the “Hi-line” and expanded his breeding project, focusing on Peale’s peregrines and occasionally gyr-hybrids. Mastering many dimensions of falconry, Geiger is known for his gamehawking acumen, fine setters, peregrines, and excellent falconry equipment including elegant hoods. Although Geiger never delved into significant commercial production, he mentored hood-makers such as Chad Cyrus and Ray Gilbertson.

Gilbertson entered falconry in the Missoula area under the influence of falconers such as Pete Widener and Gerald Geiger, the later mentored him as a hoodmaker. Along with fellow Montana falconer-hoodmaker Clayton Smith, Gilbertson’s hoods reflect an extremely high standard of craftsmanship.

A highly skilled falconer, hoodmaker, bell-maker, and overall master-craftsmen, Ince was influenced by hoodmakers Brian McDonald and Bob Martin. He produces a lightweight finely made 3-piece Dutch-style hood with exacting stiches and nicely shaped beak opening. Ince primarily produces hoods for personal use and friends.

Tom Maechtle was a wildlife professional who worked as a field biologist for The Peregrine Fund - a career that began as a teenager. He eventually gravitated to hoodmaking while surrounded by numerous experienced falconer-biologists who gave him tips and feedback. Maechtle produced hoods commercially for several years. He acknowledged instruction from Dave Current as an important factor in his development.

A Northwest falconer, Nelson spent several years as a schoolteacher in rural Alaska. Jim was instrumental in identifying the l’Alethe, a mystery bird used in 17th Century European partridge hawking, as the Aplomado Falcon, imported from the New World. Nelson developed a new "darted" pattern allowing construction of a seeming Dutch-style shaped hood without the use of blocks over which to mold them. He is the author of the book Hoods, Hooding, and Hoodmaking (2016).

Ron Rollins made fine Dutch-style hoods and blocks for many years. He was initially influenced by falconer-hoodmaker Mike Bradford. In the 1990’s Rollins produced a video on hoodmaking that made a major impact on a new generation of hood-makers, by revealing nuanced techniques and adding encouragement. Previously, awling techniques and the finer points of cross-stitching remained a secret to many would-be hoodmakers.

Named as a primary inspiration by many contemporary hoodmakers, Clayton Smith set an exemplary standard by 1980’s and 90’s. Smith modified his forms to include a beak bulge forming a molded beak opening. Compared to many contemporaries, he was able to produce a notably lightweight hood utilizing relatively thin leather and immaculate stitching. He formed sleek, finely made topknots and developed a “posi-lock” brace system that closed with an audible “snap”. Although he left commercial hoodmaking by the 1990’s, many regard Smith as one of the top hoodmakers in America.

A Utah falconer, Steven Tait is a multifaceted artist skilled in painting, drawing, sculpture, and taxidermy. Tait emerged as a leading commercial hoodmaker in the 1990’s and his ongoing advancements in blocks (forms) attracted many other hood-makers who have since adopted his blocks. Tait used raptor skulls in the process of developing his new “beak blocks” and experimented with 3D scanning technology and CNC machining to further refine and reproduce them for the commercial market. Tait has produced an in-depth video on hoodmaking available through many falconry vendors.

Art was raised in southern California and following college became a dentist and settled in the Chico area where he primarily hawks pheasants with peregrines. He is notable for his willingness to share hoodmaking techniques and information to aspiring amateurs, and was influenced himself by Bob McCallum, Jack Stoddart, John Moran, and Clayton Smith. His hoods are known for their extremely tight, perfect stitching, closed seams, and close attention to the beak opening shape. His skill with dental materials and related hand tools no doubt contributed to his execution of fine detail work and ability to mold and pour his own blocks. Tawatari was an early innovator with varied synthetic materials for braces, adopting solutions that retained their integrity and closing resistance for the life of the hood.

Originally a California falconer, the late Pete Watzke relocated to eastern Idaho where he primarily flew jack merlins. Pete was widely acclaimed for his merlin hoods despite extreme arthritis in his hands. Watzke was able to achieve a very lightweight, yet finely made merlin hood, with awe-inspiring stitching, that was also durable.