When walking with a falconer carrying an unhooded hawk, where should a person walk?

When walking with a falconer carrying an unhooded hawk, positioning yourself to the right of a right-handed falconer is the safest practice. This position allows you to avoid the potential risk of the hawk's talons and beak, which can be directed towards the left side where the falconer's dominant hand typically operates. Right-handed falconers usually have their birds perched on their left glove, so walking on the right side minimizes the risk of startling the hawk or creating a situation where it might feel threatened.

In this context, walking behind or in front of the falconer can lead to unintended interactions with the bird, which could result in the bird becoming startled or aggressive. Being behind may put you in a position where you are less aware of the hawk's reactions, while being in front could obscure the falconer’s view of the bird. Positioning to the right of a left-handed falconer would pose similar risks, as you would then be too close to the left side of the falconer’s body and the perch of the bird. Therefore, maintaining a safe distance and side allows for better control and comfort for both the falconer and the hawk.