What does 'lurebound' mean?

The term 'lurebound' refers to a specific behavior of a longwing hawk that demonstrates a readiness to respond to the lure, yet shows a reluctance to engage in hunting. In falconry, a lure is typically a device used to train birds of prey, enticing them to come to their trainer. A bird that is lurebound has developed a condition where it recognizes the lure as a source of food or reinforcement but has not been conditioned adequately to hunt effectively on its own.

This behavior can often stem from a lack of experience or confidence in hunting, leading the bird to prefer the safer and more controlled environment of the lure. Thus, it demonstrates an eagerness to respond to the lure while being unmotivated to pursue live prey, which is a crucial distinction in falconry training. Understanding what lurebound means is vital for falconers to develop appropriate training strategies to encourage their birds to hunt.