Which activity should follow a solid hit on the lure?

When a falcon or bird of prey makes a solid hit on the lure during training, the appropriate follow-up activity is to drop the lure and let the falcon come to it. This action reinforces the desired behavior, as it encourages the bird to associate the successful strike with a positive outcome—access to food or the reward of the lure itself.

Allowing the falcon to come to the lure after a solid hit instills a sense of accomplishment and promotes its instinctual behaviors, such as retrieving its prey. This practice is crucial for building trust and a strong training bond between the falconer and the bird.

The other options, while they may seem plausible in different training contexts, do not provide the immediate reward that helps reinforce the falcon's successful behavior. Withholding the lure or ignoring the event does not capitalize on the moment of success, and withdrawing the lure immediately can create a confusing experience for the falcon, potentially affecting its future motivation and engagement in the training process. Thus, encouraging the falcon to approach the lure after a successful hit is integral to effective training.