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What Is al-Megnaus?

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What Is al-Megnaus?
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The term "al-Megnaus" is used in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to refer to wild hunting trips that involve trained birds of prey, including falcons. The trips begin with the falconers preparing their birds, rehabilitating them, and training them for hunting trips as the migratory season approaches.

September and early October are the annual periods when the bird transitions from al-Megidh (molting) stage to the falconer's care, known as ad-Da'o. This stage comes after al-Megidh and before the actual hunting of migratory birds. During this period, the bird is trained and rehabilitated for al-Megnaus season until it is acclimatized to its owner once again, and its readiness for the hunting season is ensured through daily training, gradually increasing the distance.

Preparations before al-Megnaus include trimming the bird's beak and claws and grooming it from the upper and front sides. A tracking device is also attached to a specific part of the bird's body to trace it if it doesn't return to its handler, alerting them with an increasing sound as they approach the bird's location.

Equipment necessary for falconers and people who practice al-Megnaus includes as-Subg (strap), al-Burga' (muzzle), ad-Dis (gloves), al-Wakir (perch), al-Gafas (cage), al-Shebbah (lure), al-Mikhla (bird's food), al-Mizan (scale), al-Naql (box for transfer), and al-Milwah (feathered bait).