The Craft.....

[GlenCool]

right people i want as much input as possible here,

simple question how long did you spend learning the carft of falconry/what lenght of time did you spend, and if you had a mentor how long did it cut the time.....

[Shaun Byrne]

More important to me is fieldcraft.

With a bit of dedication nearly anyone (except Moses:lol: ) can learn the basics required to keep a BOP in good health and feather but to become a Falconer requires experience in the field, detailed knowledge of your quarry and how to go about outsmarting it.

These are the things that take time to master and without them you are just a bird keeper.

[Shaun Byrne]

Then there's the old cliche "you never stop learning".

I've been flying BOP for 23yrs ish and still learn something new every time I talk to Billy Casper, ATFHB, Kentish, Mark Robb and many others.

So your question as to wheather a mentor shortens the process, for me, would have to be no. The more mentors I get the more I learn and so it goes on.

[GlenCool]

so how long was it from learning to actually taking on a bird....

[GameHawker]

I got into falconry through buying a GSP, the guy had 3 harris hawkers. I became friends with him. Went out a few times at first then got the falconry bug, I help him with his ferrets for 2 years before relizing that a digging ferrets out of holes and watching his harris mug pheasants on the deck was not really for me. and decided to get a peregrine/prarie as my first bird after a few teething problems he took good amount of magpies in his first two season, before hitting a fence, I had to have him put down. I was told by loads of people I was making a mistake by having a longwing as my first bird. but I am pleased I would have only got bored with flying a Harris Hawk. I have been flying longwings for 8 years now, And am enjoying some great duck hawking with a eyas peregrine falcon.

Roll on next season.

Mark

[MattSpar]

Been doing it just short of half a century. Still learning.

[Renton]

Been doing it just short of half a century. Still learning.

Nowhere near that length of time myself. :D The learning process never stops. :lol:

[Shaun Byrne]

so how long was it from learning to actually taking on a bird....

I'm afraid it was the other way round for me. bird first, learn second.:roll:

A wild Kestrel (only for rehab of course), its a wonder she lived but she did and I flew her for 3 years, tame hacked in my parants back yard, until she hacked herself back to the wild. Only saw her once after that sat on the house roof.

Back then (most) Falconers seemed to be all stuck up their own ****s and trying to get a mentor was like trying to juggle soot.

[GlenCool]

keep it comeing guys am all ears....

[BrianM]

when i saw the thread THE CRAFT i thought it was a MASONIC thread lol NUFF SAID , keep it on the level

[Shaun Byrne]

Been doing it just short of half a century. Still learning.

SEE!!

I've just learned that I will still not know it all, even when I'm ancient like Matt:supz: :lol:

Sorry Matt:yawinkle:

[Barbary Boy]

i know people whove been doing it for a couple of years and are making a good living out of it. on the other hand i know people who have been in it for 30 + years! and are still ****ing clueless! it really dosnt make a lot of difference how long . just how receptive you are to information and innovation. ive been driving a car for nearly 30yrs ? dosnt make me a good driver!

[Wightwings]

still learning.........:roll:

[Renton]

i know people whove been doing it for a couple of years and are making a good living out of it. on the other hand i know people who have been in it for 30 + years! and are still ****ing clueless! it really dosnt make a lot of difference how long . just how receptive you are to information and innovation. ive been driving a car for nearly 30yrs ? dosnt make me a good driver!

Very good point indeed.

[GlenCool]

yes you all said you never stop learning, but i want to know from getting to know the game how long was it before you played.....lol:roll:

[Wightwings]

6 months 3 weeks 2 days and seven hours three minutes........

sorry to be flipant but how long is a piece of string Hawka answered the question straight off.....:roll: :wink:

[GlenCool]

6 months 3 weeks 2 days and seven hours three minutes........

sorry to be flipant but how long is a piece of string Hawka answered the question straight off.....:roll: :wink:

yep he sure did but i just wanna nar every ones time lengh......

[Renton]

6 months 3 weeks 2 days and seven hours three minutes........

sorry to be flipant but how long is a piece of string Hawka answered the question straight off.....:roll: :wink:

Indeed he did. :lol:

[GameHawker]

It took me 2 years to get going with my own BOP in those two years I realize there were other BOP, other than Harris Hawks.

Mark

[Wightwings]

yep he sure did but i just wanna nar every ones time lengh......

why?

i spent a few years picking stuff up from my missus as she worked the local centre, helpind the centre out, reading etc etc etc didnt time it, you cant, got a bird when i felt ready.

some peeps take no time at all some take forever, some peeps are great keepers after no time some are ******s after 30 years, some have feild craft from other feild sports some never pick it up...............has that string ball run out yet:lol:

[GlenCool]

why?

i spent a few years picking stuff up from my missus as she worked the local centre, helpind the centre out, reading etc etc etc didnt time it, you cant, got a bird when i felt ready.

some peeps take no time at all some take forever, some peeps are great keepers after no time some are ******s after 30 years, some have feild craft from other feild sports some never pick it up...............has that string ball run out yet:lol:

yea i see what yous are saying........:oops: :oops:

[Steve Wise]

Then there's the old cliche "you never stop learning".

I've been flying BOP for 23yrs ish and still learn something new every time I talk to Billy Casper, ATFHB, Kentish, Mark Robb and many others.

So your question as to wheather a mentor shortens the process, for me, would have to be no. The more mentors I get the more I learn and so it goes on.
spot on dude!!!!!

[MattSpar]

SEE!!

I've just learned that I will still not know it all, even when I'm ancient like Matt:supz: :lol:

Sorry Matt:yawinkle:

No need to apologise. Sadly, you speak the truth.

[Shaun Byrne]

No need to apologise. Sadly, you speak the truth.

:supz: :supz: :lol:

[Berkut]

i know people whove been doing it for a couple of years and are making a good living out of it. on the other hand i know people who have been in it for 30 + years! and are still ****ing clueless! it really dosnt make a lot of difference how long . just how receptive you are to information and innovation. ive been driving a car for nearly 30yrs ? dosnt make me a good driver!
I heard you are a **** driver.

Back to the thread "Every day is a school day"

[GameHawker]

I heard you can't drive.

Mark

[UKJay's Nursey]

Have to agree with others with that you'll never stop learning, ive only been into BOP for near on 2 years and still learn more each day.
The hardest part i found was the falconers knot what with me being cack handed lolol, but i got there in the end.

i love learning about there behaviours,characteristics and how 2 birds of the same species can be totally different. I,am also interested in the medical side aswell must be the nurse in me lol, i was/am the same with reptiles.

you can never know too much about falconry:D

[Barbary Boy]

It took me 2 years to get going with my own BOP in those two years I realize there were other BOP, other than Harris Hawks.

Mark
WHAT your joking ? you can do falconry with a bird other than a harris hawk? are you serious?

[GlenCool]

stop me if am wrong but the message am getting is " when you think you are ready go for it" if itis not so sure about that one guys

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

WHAT your joking ? you can do falconry with a bird other than a harris hawk? are you serious?
Yeah BB you can try Owls!

[Wightwings]

stop me if am wrong but the message am getting is " when you think you are ready go for it" if itis not so sure about that one guys

learn to read better then Glen:wink: .that not the message at all........

[GlenCool]

learn to read better then Glen:wink: .that not the message at all........

reet looked back and this must be reet, a book will tell you how to keep it in the garden but hands on is the only real teacher...... am i correct

[Renton]

learn to read better then Glen:wink: .that not the message at all........

We all have to start somewhere Glen. :D

[MitchellBrad]

I got into falconry in 1964. Yes I said 1964. A lot of you weren't born by then. My mentors were C. William Harry, Al Nye, Steve Gatti, Scotty O'Dell and a whole **** load of other falconers. My closest friend today began falconry about the time I did. He's an arrogant sort of fella and only flys white gyrfalcons. He's taken hundreds upon hundreds of grouse with a bird that is over 12 yrs old. I know him better than any brother.

My advise to beginners is to put on your BS filter and snug it down real tight. Then offer yourselves to experienced falconers as only what could be called "cheap labour" Go over, offer to clean the mews, chop up stuff you wouldn't normally handle and make an all around pest of yourself. This is the way you will learn!!! Sit in the garden and watch birds weathering. Offer to help with chores and work hard. Go hawking every chance you get. Do what I did, tell your girlfriend hawking was more important than her so she'll have to wait until I get back. That one I didn't marry<G> Do everything your mentor wants and in time you might call yourself a falconer. Never think you know anything and always run thoughts by those you know and respect. One of these days you might be able to call yourself a falconer. Never forget those who helped you and when your in your 50's treat them with respect even though you may disagree with them. They helped you from the start and will always be good to you.

[Barbary Boy]

I got into falconry in 1964. Yes I said 1964. A lot of you weren't born by then. My mentors were C. William Harry, Al Nye, Steve Gatti, Scotty O'Dell and a whole **** load of other falconers. My closest friend today began falconry about the time I did. He's an arrogant sort of fella and only flys white gyrfalcons. He's taken hundreds upon hundreds of grouse with a bird that is over 12 yrs old. I know him better than any brother.

My advise to beginners is to put on your BS filter and snug it down real tight. Then offer yourselves to experienced falconers as only what could be called "cheap labour" Go over, offer to clean the mews, chop up stuff you wouldn't normally handle and make an all around pest of yourself. This is the way you will learn!!! Sit in the garden and watch birds weathering. Offer to help with chores and work hard. Go hawking every chance you get. Do what I did, tell your girlfriend hawking was more important than her so she'll have to wait until I get back. That one I didn't marry<G> Do everything your mentor wants and in time you might call yourself a falconer. Never think you know anything and always run thoughts by those you know and respect. One of these days you might be able to call yourself a falconer. Never forget those who helped you and when your in your 50's treat them with respect even though you may disagree with them. They helped you from the start and will always be good to you.
totall respect, i couldnt agree more m8! or they could allways go out and get a harris hawk?

[Renton]

totall respect, i couldnt agree more m8! or they could allways go out and get a harris hawk?

Or an owl? :rolleyes:

[Barbary Boy]

Or an owl? :rolleyes:
not if you want to be a falconer?

[Kurt]

Started beating the brush for my brother back in the late 60's. Did it again in the 80's and 90's. Finally reached a point in my life where I had the time and money to do more than be a spectator a few years back. I'll be upgrading to a general for the fall. I have had the fortune of having outstanding falconers that fly different types of BOP living nearby. When you stop learning learning you're brain dead.Kurt

[Renton]

not if you want to be a falconer?

I'll stick with being an austringer, thank you. Longwings are not for me. As an aside, have you taken an EEO out hunting? Great fun; if you don't mind the bird being distracted at always the wrong time!

[Barbary Boy]

I'll stick with being an austringer, thank you. Longwings are not for me. As an aside, have you taken an EEO out hunting? Great fun; if you don't mind the bird being distracted at always the wrong time!
as ive said before! ive nothing against flying owls as long as its a big gos chasing it?

[Renton]

as ive said before! ive nothing against flying owls as long as its a big gos chasing it?

LOL! Might be the other way round, if my EEO ever gets his act together. :lol:

[MitchellBrad]

totall respect, i couldnt agree more m8! or they could allways go out and get a harris hawk?

Who or what is m8? Sorry, I really don't know. Never had a HH. the first one I saw was at a PFA meet in 1969. I was looking at a passage tundra of Lou Woyce's that killed two pheasants in one stoop. The HH let out a scream that scared me almost to death.

Brad

[As The Falcon Her Bells]

Started in 1997 in a zoo in Sweden, the only place in Sweden where they are allowed to fly bop's free, got completely hooked so looked for jobs abroad, got one at Nick Fox, in late 98, stayed a year and a half, moved on to a falconry centre and a gos breeder in North Yorkshire (Tom Graham), then moved on to Emma Foed as head Falconer for a year, back to Tom (had meet my boyfriend by now, a large breeder of falcons and wanted to be closer to him) got my own buisniss for a while doing pest control, then became full time with my boyfriend and have been for the last 3 years.

[Barbary Boy]

LOL! Might be the other way round, if my EEO ever gets his act together. :lol:
doubt it very much m8 might fly it in your living room? but thats about it!

[Jester]

as ive said before! ive nothing against flying owls as long as its a big gos chasing it?


im sure i said before that more gosses get killed by EEO than EEO get killed by gosses :supz: :supz:

[Liam Hay]

im sure i said before that more gosses get killed by EEO than EEO get killed by gosses :supz: :supz:


absolute **** y would any one like to see raptors killing raptors?


beyond me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zam]

when i saw the thread THE CRAFT i thought it was a MASONIC thread lol NUFF SAID , keep it on the level

Isn't someone supposed to post a reply about "the square"???

[Tim Laycock]

right people i want as much input as possible here,

simple question how long did you spend learning the carft of falconry/what lenght of time did you spend, and if you had a mentor how long did it cut the time.....

I first started tinkering with Hawks 20 years ago and to be honest cant see my handling methods and the ways that I manage my birds improving much!

My fieldcraft is however absolutly abysmal :roll:
Honsetly, its embarrasing :oops:
I also have the eyes of an octogenarian and because of my vainty will not wear glasses!

The two do not combine well in the name of finding game :lol:
Or hawks sat on it :oops:

[Renton]

doubt it very much m8 might fly it in your living room? but thats about it!

My EEO has been known to walk from the living room to the kitchen unaided. :wink: However, he really comes into his own when flown in woodland.

[Jester]

absolute **** y would any one like to see raptors killing raptors?


beyond me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


i dont want to see any raptor killed by another.

i was just replying to barbary boy who seemed to be advocating flying a gos at an EEO :roll: :roll: (he was joking i hope)

[StormRider]

I think you've had your questions answered on this one Glenn. Whats your thought on getting a bird now?
STU

[BlackShaheen1]

C R A F T .....cant remmember a F***ing thing

[GlenCool]

I think you've had your questions answered on this one Glenn. Whats your thought on getting a bird now?
STU

i still wanna own one the passion has been there sine i was v.little but i think am gonna wait till i know every thing i can from books and what not am gonna try see that "billy" and ask him 4 some one on one tuesistion "spelling" and take i as much as possible......

[Game & Pursuit Falcon UK]

Could we have that last post in english now please GlenCool?

[Beaujest]

Isn't someone supposed to post a reply about "the square"???
Come on Zam,I'm sure you were always taught to be cautious.:?: