Big Schloss is located in the George Washington National Forest approximately 19 kilometers west of Woodstock, VA on the state line between West Virginia and Shenandoah County, VA. The box was positioned facing east on a 30 meter cliff along a north-south oriented ridge. Good views of the box were afforded from other rocky outcrops along the same ridge making it easier for hack attendants to keep up with the young falcons. A mixed oak/pitch pine forest covered most of the top of the ridge and surrounding valley, with a dense understory of mountain laurel.

Although used for only two years in 1988 and '89, Big Schloss was quite successful as a hack site. It afforded excellent views of the valley below and was rich in bird diversity for potential prey. These characteristics also made it a good destination for hikers which descended in great numbers on the site throughout the summer. So although it made an admirable platform for reintroducing young falcons, the human visitation will probably preclude it from selection as a suitable nest site for a breeding pair.

List of Hack Attendants

Bobby Clontz
Wes Taylor
Other names unavailable