After the last hunter departed from the marathon of hunting the most expensive birds in the world (referring to the "Har", a type of falcon considered a valuable asset and a dream for every hunter), the plains of Qazaniya in the far east of Diyala province are now devoid of falcon hunters. A local official discusses the reasons behind this.
Mazen Al-Khazai, the director of the Qazaniya district (93 km east of Baquba), stated today, Thursday, that "the drop in temperatures and the end of the migration season for falcons, including the Har, have prompted falconers to leave the Qazaniya plains after long weeks of hunting trips that extend to vast and complex geographic areas." He added that "this hunting season was the best compared to previous years," noting that "some hunters captured falcons of good species, with prices rising to over 50 million dinars."
Al-Khazai continued, "The Qazaniya plains and its nearby areas are the most famous in eastern Iraq for seasonal falcon hunting, attracting dozens from various provinces across the country."
### The Silk Road for Falcons
Falcon hunter Abu Ibrahim Al-Mandlawy confirmed that "the Qazaniya plains are akin to the Silk Road for migratory falcons, including the Har, which is the most expensive and popular type, with prices sometimes exceeding 150 million dinars." He added that "after capturing the falcons, there are traders and brokers who buy them immediately, leading to price hikes, especially since some species are incredibly rare."
### The Beginning of the Story
Falcon hunting has been known in Iraq since the early twentieth century, where Iraqi hunters used falcons in the southern and central regions of the country. During that time, falcon hunting was a hobby for some, while others used it as a source of livelihood. Some hunters supplied Arabs with trained falcons needed for their sport, which contributed to the spread of this type of hunting throughout Iraq. After 1980, falcons had their traders and renowned markets.
In some areas of central Diyala, the simple and primitive methods marked the beginning of hunting in Iraq. Later, falcon hunting became famous in Iraq, especially in the middle Euphrates regions, in southern Najaf, and also in Basra and the Dhi Qar region, in northern Mosul, and many other areas of Iraq. The trade of falcons has increased, with traders connecting with hunters and falcon markets, making falcon trading one of the most profitable and popular businesses in recent years.
### Licenses and Methods
There are associations for hunters in Iraq, and most hunters belong to these associations, which grant them special permits for hunting. These permits allow them to move freely throughout Iraq without facing legal questioning from the state. Numerous regulations are agreed upon by hunters before starting the hunting process, classified based on their methods:
- **Hunting with the help of a trader**: Traders provide financial advances to hunters and supply them with all necessary hunting equipment; this is done in exchange for a fixed share of the catch (the most famous in Iraq is the third share).
- **Hunting by car**: In this method, the hunter must have another person with him called a "netter," and the hunter's share of the profits in this type ranges from a third to a quarter of the catch.
