If a falconer intends to take an eyass hawk, is it better to take a very young eyass and imprint it?

Choosing to take a very young eyass hawk and imprint it does not align with the best practices for successful falconry. Imprinting is a process where the bird is raised in a way that it sees humans as its primary caretakers and can lead to a strong bond, but it often results in the hawk becoming overly reliant on humans and losing some of its natural instincts necessary for hunting and survival in the wild.

Capturing a very young eyass hawk may not allow it to develop critical skills it would learn from its parents and environment, such as hunting techniques and aversions to predators. Ideally, a falconer would benefit more from training a young hawk that has had some exposure to its natural instincts while being manageable and bondable for falconry purposes. This balance helps ensure the hawk retains necessary hunting skills while still forming a strong relationship with the falconer.