New Vocation

[Polmaise]

I have always had a 'hankering' for Falconry !
I suppose like most young boy's born in the late 50's early 60's , with the film 'Kes'?., well that's where it started for me,and in them day's you just went out and got one!!
But as a 12 year old then, you didn't know what you were doing,other than a book from the library,and many of the words I couldn't understand!
..........
A few years ago, however I was invited to do some work with the dogs with Falconers!...and I was then 're-Hooked'!
Now being more mature (but only slightly) in my Fifties, I decided to 'read alot more about this sport,and especially with dogs!
..........
I have had a few more days with these guys and their birds,and although the trend has been Falconers turning to dog's in their later years ,I decided to buck that trend,and go the other way.
.........
I had a fantastic day with a friend and a Goshawk today working my wee spaniel for the very first time with a Hawk. (Thanks Mike )

So this is my new vocation!...well, it was getting a bit boring doing this hunting with 'Two dogs at a Time' with a gun, I decided it's more of a challenge with no gun! and try 'Three at a time'
........
A flavour of what it's all about?..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmuwWIt115E

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I am looking forward to my personal challenge next year

[Bruneval3]

Really enjoyed that. Being of the same age/era as you I can see what you say, " Kes" was and still is a great film, Billy Casper, happy memories of long gone youth!

I wish you well with your new venture, please keep us updated.

[criso69]

Hi Robert,

I have been out few times now with a friend and his gosshaw and my springer, it is a really great experiance to see bird and dog working together it didnt take them long to work each other out and what they where both their for.

chris

[morleyg]

Cool

[Crosshair]

I think the more species involved in the hunt, the 'purer' the hunting experience. Whether it be man, dog and hawk or man, ferret and dog or man, horse and dog or man, horse and hawk or man, ferret, dog and hawk, the act of all of you working towards a common edible goal is really primal.
I've been lucky enough to watch a great falconer work a pointer and peregrine on English partridge on large stubble-turnip fields and it was amazing!
However, if you thought cockers were stubborn Robert, wait until you're stood there in the half-light trying to coax a 'half-ounce too heavy' hawk out of a tree- you might find yourself wishing you'd brought your gun along after all

[David]

Robert, have a look at this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5yQjQ8Q1wY My friend has been playing with a video camera attached to his peregrine. The main action is after 3 min's

Not so much hunting over a dog but impressive footage.

[Polmaise]

Wow!!
Thanks David.
Impressive stuff!..You can see how one can get easily Hooked.
I hope I understand these guy's just as much as the dogs.

[Crosshair]

Wow! That footage is awesome!!!!

[pontbeck]

I wish you well with your new vocation Robert. My wife arranged for me to have a day out with a falconer for my 60 th birthday. I have always had an interest and the experience of flying a bird was up there with anything I`ve ever done.

Bill

[Milly]

Interesting video and I didn't understand how the dogs and birds worked together until seeing it. Just one thing, he said the first bird hadn't been out for three months Surely they could have let it out to fly a bit more.