Pete Martin

Featured Member

Pete Martin, after 43 years in law enforcement (YCSO 2, WPD 9.5, YCDA 31), now spends his extra time with three birds: Zeva (Harris Hawk, 10 years old), Phoenix (Peregrine Falcon, 2 years old) and Nacho (Aplomado Falcon/Peru, 6 years old).  During hunting season, August-March, he takes the birds out 4 hours every other day. Since Harris Hawks are social beings, Zeva gets to join up with other like-kind birds for a “fly-date.”  Pete gets to tromp through fields to recover their catch.  Pete makes sure not to fly the birds near human hunters. 

During molting season, it takes an hour to prepare their meal of quail, mice, pigeons, and jack rabbit.  He has been making bird presentations monthly and takes people out on field trips. 

Zeva and Phoenix each have their own yard space, 10’ X 10’, plus Zeva has access to an extra-long fly-way area.  Nacho is an inside bird and sits on Pete’s knees (a lap-bird).  Nacho plays with the dogs and sometimes beats them to the rolling ball! 

​Pete was intrigued with a YouTube video and started up this hobby 15 years ago.  He apprenticed for 2 years with a master falconer.  Pete’s home has always been a zoo (he was a WPD K-9 officer.)