Marten Benatar- Master Falconer brings his expertise to Raptor Relations with his deep love and intense hands on experience with birds of prey. Marten has worked side by side with Master Falconers Kate Marden and Jim Tigan of West Coast Falconry as an instructor and trainer, teaching perspective apprentice falconers the integral aspects of becoming successful in The Ancient Art Of Falconry. Marten was awarded the coveted Apprentice Of The Year Award for 2005 by the California Hawking Club for his exceptional success as an Apprentice Falconer hunting his female Red Tail Hawk "Rio" on various game. Marten is very active in the California Hawking Club where he serves on the Board of Directors. His roles in his short tenure have included, Raffle Chairperson, Chairperson for the annual CHC field meet, editor and pubisher of the CHC newsletter and journal, and he is currently the chairperson for the CHC Raptor Education committee.
His current flying partners are Uzi, a serious "nothin' but game" Female Harris' Hawk (pictured here)
and Taj, his up and coming Gyr/Peregrine Hybrid who can be heard singing "excuse me while I kiss the sky" on his mount and "lay down, Sally" as he slips the atmosphere in pursuit of his prey.