OK, What next? clubs etc

[Euan]

Right, I've been to the library read a few books now, and spent a lot of time looking through old threads, turns out my initial impression, of how much time was needed, from browsing a few sites was wrong!

But, reading the books and getting a better idea of whats involved has just made me more convinced thats its something I would really like to do. I think its going to have to be something I work towards though, maybe in a couple of years (I've been delaying getting a dog, until conditions are perfect, for 2 yrs ffs!)

So in the meantime what can I be doing to learn more and get a bit more practical experience?

I'm going to book myself a 1/2 days hunting or 2 at the place nr Comrie (thanks for the pointer Jakki)

Read more books obviously,

Are there any clubs, meets etc near me? I think there must be a lot of falconers round here because if the info on here isn't out of date I have 4 avian vets within 20 mins drive! Including my own vets:supz:

I found one listed in Biggar (not sure where that is:oops: ) the Scottish Hawking Club, anyone here a member?

Anything else I haven't thought of?

[UKJay74]

euan mate you got the ideas right get on a course track down local falconers and read :D

as far as i am aware there may be a few members on the forum in your area and if you ask them nicley you may get an insight into hunting (some may not be so willing as the moult is near)

wish you all the best mate and keep up the education :D

[Berkut]

Euan.
I used to be a member of the Scottish Hawking Club. It would certainly do you no harm to make contact and maybe tag along at a couple of field meets.
Also try and find yourself a good falconer near to you that you could contact and who would keep you right if you do decide to get a hawk.
Regards.

[Pitbull]

Right, I've been to the library read a few books now, and spent a lot of time looking through old threads, turns out my initial impression, of how much time was needed, from browsing a few sites was wrong!

But, reading the books and getting a better idea of whats involved has just made me more convinced thats its something I would really like to do. I think its going to have to be something I work towards though, maybe in a couple of years (I've been delaying getting a dog, until conditions are perfect, for 2 yrs ffs!)

So in the meantime what can I be doing to learn more and get a bit more practical experience?

I'm going to book myself a 1/2 days hunting or 2 at the place nr Comrie (thanks for the pointer Jakki)

Read more books obviously,

Are there any clubs, meets etc near me? I think there must be a lot of falconers round here because if the info on here isn't out of date I have 4 avian vets within 20 mins drive! Including my own vets:supz:

I found one listed in Biggar (not sure where that is:oops: ) the Scottish Hawking Club, anyone here a member?

Anything else I haven't thought of?
Glad to be of help you'll be in good hands with them. As for the club its ok if you like your tweeds:rolleyes:

[Jazz1]

Euan I know a couple of guys in the Scottish Hawking Club and had a good talk with the chairman at last years Game fair and M8 you would not go wrong becoming a member here is a contact
Thomas Bryce
1 Bielgrange Cottage
Stenton
East Lothian
EH42 1SY
Tel- 01620 861277
And M8 this club is more down to earth with it's dress code.
It's the BFC that is Tweeds ect

[AndyYounger]

Hi Gary
are you gonna join the SHC this year. i am gonna try and get to a few field meets.

[Harrisii]

Right, I've been to the library read a few books now, and spent a lot of time looking through old threads, turns out my initial impression, of how much time was needed, from browsing a few sites was wrong!

But, reading the books and getting a better idea of whats involved has just made me more convinced thats its something I would really like to do. I think its going to have to be something I work towards though, maybe in a couple of years (I've been delaying getting a dog, until conditions are perfect, for 2 yrs ffs!)

So in the meantime what can I be doing to learn more and get a bit more practical experience?

I'm going to book myself a 1/2 days hunting or 2 at the place nr Comrie (thanks for the pointer Jakki)

Read more books obviously,

Are there any clubs, meets etc near me? I think there must be a lot of falconers round here because if the info on here isn't out of date I have 4 avian vets within 20 mins drive! Including my own vets:supz:

I found one listed in Biggar (not sure where that is:oops: ) the Scottish Hawking Club, anyone here a member?

Anything else I haven't thought of?

good to hear you are going about this in the right way Euan.
why not vollunteer at a falconry centre near you. (blairdrummond safari park),
get as much info and experience as poss. i am sure you could go out with some guys on here for days hunting etc and see how its done etc.
i would be willing to invite you along for a days hawking with harrises.
the season is comming to a close but there are a few eeeks left yet.
good luck with it mate. get as much experience as your brain can handle.

[Euan]

The approaching end of the season is something that has just dawned on me over the past couple of days! (and the end of the pheasant season I saw the first one on my shoot on 31/1 !!! in an area I don't shoot as its to close to the main road)

I don't suppose there will be much club activity over the summer?

Blair Drummond, again I've only just found out in the past few days (from this site) that they have BoP there. Haven't seen him for a couple of years, but I used to know the head keeper there quite well. Hope he hasn't changed his mobile no!!!

Harissii, thanks for the offer, your place or mine:grin: I'll send you a PM

[Minty]

Thats a great Area you are in there mate. some lovely countryside as usual for Scotland.
Take the advice above .There must be one of the scots lads near you.

[Jazz1]

Hi Gary
are you gonna join the SHC this year. i am gonna try and get to a few field meets.


Hi Andy i was thinking about it. Join the BFC and never got a thing from them or out of it.(Even offered myself and Abeboys gound for the International meet and never got a thanks but no thanks)
So i do think the SHC could be better.

[JB29]

I'm on the committee of the Scottish Hawking Club and I would advise you to get in touch with Tom Bryce and join up. The club has at least one field meet per month through the season and I know of 3 members from the Stirling area who regularly fly at these meets and I'm sure would be able to help. The club is very informal - no tweeds in sight - just ordinary falconers, but it's like most things you get out what you put in. PM me if you have problems getting Tommy.

[Euan]

How would I get in touch with him? Is this him? (from the club section)

Scottish Hawking Club
Crookedstane,
Elvanfoot
By Biggar
Lanarkshire
ML12 6RL
01864 505245

What happens at a field meet?(Sorry if that seems a stupid question:oops: )

when/where is the next one?

[MickeyDredd]

That is Andrew Knowles-Brown, who is the chairman i believe.

The BFC is not about tweeds by the way, I have never seen anyone in the Scottish BFC wearing them.

[ScotsFalconer]

The approaching end of the season is something that has just dawned on me over the past couple of days! (and the end of the pheasant season I saw the first one on my shoot on 31/1 !!! in an area I don't shoot as its to close to the main road)

I don't suppose there will be much club activity over the summer?

Blair Drummond, again I've only just found out in the past few days (from this site) that they have BoP there. Haven't seen him for a couple of years, but I used to know the head keeper there quite well. Hope he hasn't changed his mobile no!!!

Harissii, thanks for the offer, your place or mine:grin: I'll send you a PM

hey there dude. the head keper at blair drummond is no longer there. after a few years his inexperience showed through. would stay away from alistair grey. and im sure many will agree. blair drummond does however stil have a falconry of which the keepers are very friendly (cough cough, thats a subtle hint). the scottish hawking club would be a good bet tho.