New Vocation

[goshawk]

Good luck with your new vocation, Pol.
I'm sure you will succeed; training a bird doesn't much differ from training a dog. You can train a bird only by positive reinforcement, the principles stay the same.

It depends on your taste and your possibilities which bird you prefer. For peregrines you need open space and pointing dogs, hunting mainly flying game. A goshawk is a short distance bird, which can fly even in dense woods, seconded by a spaniel and ferret. The only thing with goshawks is that they are nervous, so for training one sometimes needs strong nerves.

I myself prefer to fly a male goshawk, because it is smaller and thus faster and more manouvrable.

All the best in the new year.
Jan

[Kaiser]

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.

Couldn't agree more Naj. The problem for the Harris is that so many people recommend them as a beginner bird. Learn your craft on one of these and then get the bird you really want. Poor birds. Bound to be plenty of feral Harris now surviving in the countryside of the UK.

I don't own a bird now, might be another 20 years until I do but that's just the way it is. Truly massive commitment.

[Mickeydredd]

You know it makes sense......(don'tknow which of the 3 of us is more focussed!

[Megsdad]

Great footage David. Any idea of the type of camera and rig used?

[Crosshair]

My mate came over with his Harris Hawk today, so I took maple out to hunt for him. It took her a while to realise that she didn't have to sit every time it flew from tree to tree and she was a bit bemused by his bell!
We had a great hunt on a mallard and then a moorhen but unfortunately, he got soaked and was reluctant to fly after that. It's certainly a different experience- not sure I've got the patience for too much of it!

Scud and Maple

[Bwana]

Hi Robert

This was my passion for some 40 years! I am sure that you will find it as rewarding and fascinating as I and others have found it. This is the first time I have tried to post photos. The pics are of my tiercel Muir on her grey partridge in Wiltshire and my old cocker Sophie (I dont know which one of us - Sophie or I look the most grizzled)!





Muir was a delightful hawk, I will regret for ever that I put him into a breeding project with a falcon the year before last. She killed him.

Tony

[alfie12]

Hi
I wish you well with your new vocation. I had a fantastic day at Gleneagles Hotel doing falconry. Loved it .Awesome birds great experience . The guy that took us was fantastic...... really knowledgable and relaxed about everything . We went out hunting and the birds were soooo impressive ! Good luck .
Audrey

[David]

Great footage David. Any idea of the type of camera and rig used?

I asked and this is what he said

Yes the kit is of the shelf with adaption's I've made to it, the biggest
problem is getting the bird to accept it, at first it sent my bird to pot
when out flying... But not one for giving up I continued and now he's just
starting to fly in his normal flight pattern...

Hope that helps

[Megsdad]

Great footage David. Any idea of the type of camera and rig used?

I asked and this is what he said

Yes the kit is of the shelf with adaption's I've made to it, the biggest
problem is getting the bird to accept it, at first it sent my bird to pot
when out flying... But not one for giving up I continued and now he's just
starting to fly in his normal flight pattern...

Hope that helps

Thanks for getting back David. Any idea which shelf it was off? Sounds like very specialised equipment... Was hoping to find out brand name? Suppliers? Any more info appreciated. T

[iandl]

If you do get more serious into it i have a nice black moulded travel box, i used it for my harris but got rid of her a couple of years ago and still have one the the travel boxs i used.
felt at the time of getting rid of her i would really miss not having a hawk but now i'm not so sure, best guard animal i ever had though. used to bring her into the house to watch the dogs and ferrets play. as others have said big commitment,

Ian