Gundog Training Forum

Wow amazing David that

Chris

i've always had an interest hunting with fur and feather and one day in the future i would like to have a go, really interesting you tube clips well done

That was the most fantastic piece of footage I have ever had the privilege to see. Now you can understand the meaning of the saying "a birds eye view"!

If only I had the time. Falconry was my first interest even before gundogs. Goshawk is the perfect bird for my permissions too but they take soooo much time that its something that I can only do when I'm old like polmaise ! Lol

My favourite falconry video

These are two gyr peregrine hybrids, if I'm right they are the fastest animal on earth, faster than a natural peregrine. They are unique as they are two brothers that a actively work together to achieve the kill. Normally only Harris hawks work together.

Sit back and enjoy

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRpgxszcWTU

They are all good links /clips
The best I got from the guy's. and especially Mike (who is dangerously becoming my mentor) ...now there is a thought
You get the best when you do it!...rather than show what others do!?...
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There is much preparation,as I have discovered before you embark on such a thing?, much like a newbie with the questions and aspirations of a new pup for the first time?
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I am in no hurry to welcome my new fledging!?. in fact I have been advised,to take on something that has already been 'humanised' and a 'Goshawk', would fit my personal requirements, rather than say , a 'Harris', for those that require a beginning to the sport?
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The 'Glory', or end result!, has never been my goal!..I admire those that have that , I wish to embark on a 'new and different' way of sporting activity with the dogs (for me)
anyway!...with the cost of cartridges !, I am sure the 'scots' in me is shining through
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I had an absolutely fantastic day with Gsp's pointing game and two falconers ,and that was awesome!....I spent a couple of days with a vizsla and a Harris hawk hunting!..I also had a fantastic weekend with four peregrines and two spaniels !...I will prepare the groundworks like I have with everything.,and ensure we have as much in place like every other newbie to any sport with eyes wide shut!..But I am confident that I have the support and help from people that I admire and trust 'to help me with this new vocation'!..
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Now!!..how do you get a cocker', and a springer' and a Lab, and a Vizsla,and a Goshawk to work together?
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Watch this space
Oops!...I forgot about the ferret!? (crosshair)

Polmaise wrote: Oops!...I forgot about the ferret!? (crosshair)

And the horse

Crosshair wrote:

Polmaise wrote: Oops!...I forgot about the ferret!? (crosshair)

And the horse

Finally a way to get my wife involved at my shoot

Good luck, Pol. I envy you, starting off from the beginning as you are. Enjoy every minute of it.

I started at 50 by doing a mate - and his bird! - a favour by taking on his Harris which he found to be too big a commitment, (Like you, I've been interested in falconry most of my life) and then found that I became totally besotted with the sport. She turned out to be all that I needed. She's 14 now and still knocking over hares despite having had some bruising battles with them over the last few years. Its a remarkable sport and they're remarkable birds but they gobble up a lot of time if you're going to fly them properly, especially a bird like the Gos. Hope your time management's good.

Naj

I know that you will have done your research, Pol, have got the right facilities and will make a good job of it, but for the sake of others who may be interested in the sport, and for the sake of the birds, I hope you don't mind me highlighting the fact that this is a sport that demands long term commitment, considerable outlay and time and access to good exercise and hunting grounds and many jump into it ill prepared and then just as quickly find that it is too big a commitment, or realise they haven't the facilities, or simply get bored with it once the novelty has gone, and jump back out, leaving another bird 'passed-on', often with behavioural faults caused by bad handling. The Harris, in particular, can live for 20 years or more and they don't age like dogs, so they are capable of hunting until the day they fall off their mortal perch. The market is flooded with new birds and people's rejects and they are often given away, so its tempting to have a dabble, but its a crying shame that they, and other birds (The Gos is relatively cheap these days) are treated so shabbily, especially since the Harris, being a social bird, is capable of building such a close relationship with its falconer.
Sorry, sermon over.