Minty
16-03-2006, 09:54 PM
Over the last 3 months i have had numerous well wishers for Ratz and many have asked for an account of my first season as it may be an advantage to others.
I started three years ago when i was struck down with illness and began to read books on BOP. Mainly eagles, vultures to start which led into Falcons Hawks etc.
My experience in the field with Shooting was medium and field craft quite good but Falconry ZERO!
So this is for the well wishers beginners and to those who have helped me along the way.
First RATZ.
To Try and keep it to the 1,000 limit post Will be brief.
My intentions where to have a full season in the field with others before purchasing a bird and as a beginner ask yourself these questions.
DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?
DO YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE?
DO YOU HAVE THE SPACE RESOURCES AND FINANCE ?
DO YOU HAVE A STRONG MARRIAGE?
IF THE ANSWER IS NO TO ONE YOU WILL STRUGGLE IF ITS TWO GO OFF AND PLAY TOY SOLDIERS WITH PAINTS!
THAT'S PLAIN AND SIMPLE! THINK ABOUT IT?
If you can say yes then get or find your local rap tor club and go down at their next meet and mingle.
They will not come to you..Why should they?
You go to them and just be honest and ask for advice and is there anyone local to teach. If the answers are polite and helpful start from there if not go somewhere else.
If need be come on here to ask if someone is local but my advice would be THATS IT FOR THIS FORUM UNTIL THE END OF THE FIRST SEASON.
There is too many conflicting views on here and if you take one and drop another then you just get in a muddle . This is a place to discuss not to learn IMO.
I think many on here will agree first port of call is a club , near bye falconer or even a good course and one other BIG thing.
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS.
As many as you can .
My bookshelf is just hanging by its mounts of books all read and in the case of some 'Nick Fox's Understanding BOP' 3 times!
Now i am after Desert Hawking (one part at a time as my bank balance would not take it).
So, First season.
I went out with mainly 4 or 5 falconers on a regular basis and learned much plus much was re-kindled if you like from younger ferreting days.
I purchased a Young MHH for the wife as my Female was not ready until July.
RATZ as many no broke his leg....However it happened (i am not going through it again) it was my fault.
WHY?
As i was putting Ratz into his box i noticed a car drawing up , in it looked like a friend of mine 'Grant Mitchell' a Dog barking loose in the back and swerving into the space next to me when the whole car park was empty as this was a Private Archery Range but i had been given permission to fly on but not to walk a dog!
Door opens RATZ's baits after the dog jumps on my shoulders .
After having him at home i realized something was wrong and rang a close falconer who we will call 'MO' for namesake.
He came round in his work gear straight away and we thought pulled out joint on the birds leg . He dropped everything his work etc and took me as i think he knew that although he gave me directions it was dark Raining and i had 40 minutes to get there before this qualified avian vet shut.
Beginners take note.
Get a local falconer just to ask him to be on call if he cares for falconry he will agree to be just in case this is a prime example why.
My fears where true it was worse it was Broken!
Nursing RATZ back to health was not easy to do or watch for me and certainly not for him.
Beginners take note.
£1000 it cost in fees, Get insurance it is cheap.Approx £60 a year ...Thats less than a good night out and a ruby.
It covers illness loss and theft public liability + more.
BOP like most predators in the Animal Kingdom are very fragile mainly due to there abilities to hunt and diet.
You will experience the social side of falconry with many views hotly debated at times.
Ratz is now hunting has taken feather but yet to catch a Rabbit but hopefully this Sunday at his first and last field meet of the season he will.
On March 30th he will be put to moult for a deserved rest not from flying so much but just from all the trauma.
He is very well now and is quite fit after having 4-5 days flying each week for the last month and has quickened up .
Watching ratz in his first week was comical balancing on twigs and running up tree trunks, a bit like watching a baby how to walk.
The funniest thing is the look on his face when he first chased a Bunny only for it to go down to what he thought was a hole in the ground. The expression said it all on his face 'Where the F**K did that go':confused:
And continued to look down the hole and i had to stop him going down it.
Now for my Attenborough bit........
I love this sport as although most of the time i enjoy company of other falconers especially 4 or 5 i can mention to be out there with just you and your bird hunting is a real joy. We are privileged to be in the country amongst places that where hear millions of years before us and will be there millions after our ones are dust.
How could you miss such a thing.
To those thinking of taking it up then there are two options in my experience this year.
1...Stick to one Falconer..This is fine if Time and Work and Families match if they don't you will get frustrated so ...PATIENCE' is needed . I am afraid that's my weakness but i am getting there.
2....Get a tight knit of falconers say 3 or 4 and take tips from each like i have done that way you spread the load and keep reading those Books.
One last note.
Telemetry..Get it. If you Do not and you loose your bird you have killed it.
To make a training mistake is acceptable but to scrimp on Money for the sake of your bird is not.
If you can't get Telemetry do not fly free until you can or if not take up origami instead .
I leave you with RATZ who is fit and well . The picture of him on my head was a kind gesture from my wife to place a chic leg on it whilst i was not looking.
Oh yes ...'WEIGHT' and 'DIET'. iF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WATCH A FALCONER WEIGH HIS BIRD AND LEARN ABOUT CONTROL AND SUPPLEMENTS.If you get that you are half way there.Never Fly it Underweight rather over than under.
And Finaly Be nice to Falconers Wives or Husbands they need to be on your side .
I found this out the first time i met one, a lovely lady but as i was told 'It pays to be on the good sde of her'
In this case its great advice.
This post is not designed to insult or upset anyone .If it has its you with the problem!
Minty
Finally i would like to thank many well wishers but a few personal thanks to some that are on here and some who are not.
Miguel Gomez and Mark Dunn especially for showing me the ropes putting up with my waffling eating their mince pies chirozo and cake.
And Mr Dunn will you please do something with that 'Hound of the Baskerville' as it scares the **** out of me.:prayer:
Goodbye and Good Hunting to All.
I started three years ago when i was struck down with illness and began to read books on BOP. Mainly eagles, vultures to start which led into Falcons Hawks etc.
My experience in the field with Shooting was medium and field craft quite good but Falconry ZERO!
So this is for the well wishers beginners and to those who have helped me along the way.
First RATZ.
To Try and keep it to the 1,000 limit post Will be brief.
My intentions where to have a full season in the field with others before purchasing a bird and as a beginner ask yourself these questions.
DO YOU HAVE THE TIME?
DO YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE?
DO YOU HAVE THE SPACE RESOURCES AND FINANCE ?
DO YOU HAVE A STRONG MARRIAGE?
IF THE ANSWER IS NO TO ONE YOU WILL STRUGGLE IF ITS TWO GO OFF AND PLAY TOY SOLDIERS WITH PAINTS!
THAT'S PLAIN AND SIMPLE! THINK ABOUT IT?
If you can say yes then get or find your local rap tor club and go down at their next meet and mingle.
They will not come to you..Why should they?
You go to them and just be honest and ask for advice and is there anyone local to teach. If the answers are polite and helpful start from there if not go somewhere else.
If need be come on here to ask if someone is local but my advice would be THATS IT FOR THIS FORUM UNTIL THE END OF THE FIRST SEASON.
There is too many conflicting views on here and if you take one and drop another then you just get in a muddle . This is a place to discuss not to learn IMO.
I think many on here will agree first port of call is a club , near bye falconer or even a good course and one other BIG thing.
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS.
As many as you can .
My bookshelf is just hanging by its mounts of books all read and in the case of some 'Nick Fox's Understanding BOP' 3 times!
Now i am after Desert Hawking (one part at a time as my bank balance would not take it).
So, First season.
I went out with mainly 4 or 5 falconers on a regular basis and learned much plus much was re-kindled if you like from younger ferreting days.
I purchased a Young MHH for the wife as my Female was not ready until July.
RATZ as many no broke his leg....However it happened (i am not going through it again) it was my fault.
WHY?
As i was putting Ratz into his box i noticed a car drawing up , in it looked like a friend of mine 'Grant Mitchell' a Dog barking loose in the back and swerving into the space next to me when the whole car park was empty as this was a Private Archery Range but i had been given permission to fly on but not to walk a dog!
Door opens RATZ's baits after the dog jumps on my shoulders .
After having him at home i realized something was wrong and rang a close falconer who we will call 'MO' for namesake.
He came round in his work gear straight away and we thought pulled out joint on the birds leg . He dropped everything his work etc and took me as i think he knew that although he gave me directions it was dark Raining and i had 40 minutes to get there before this qualified avian vet shut.
Beginners take note.
Get a local falconer just to ask him to be on call if he cares for falconry he will agree to be just in case this is a prime example why.
My fears where true it was worse it was Broken!
Nursing RATZ back to health was not easy to do or watch for me and certainly not for him.
Beginners take note.
£1000 it cost in fees, Get insurance it is cheap.Approx £60 a year ...Thats less than a good night out and a ruby.
It covers illness loss and theft public liability + more.
BOP like most predators in the Animal Kingdom are very fragile mainly due to there abilities to hunt and diet.
You will experience the social side of falconry with many views hotly debated at times.
Ratz is now hunting has taken feather but yet to catch a Rabbit but hopefully this Sunday at his first and last field meet of the season he will.
On March 30th he will be put to moult for a deserved rest not from flying so much but just from all the trauma.
He is very well now and is quite fit after having 4-5 days flying each week for the last month and has quickened up .
Watching ratz in his first week was comical balancing on twigs and running up tree trunks, a bit like watching a baby how to walk.
The funniest thing is the look on his face when he first chased a Bunny only for it to go down to what he thought was a hole in the ground. The expression said it all on his face 'Where the F**K did that go':confused:
And continued to look down the hole and i had to stop him going down it.
Now for my Attenborough bit........
I love this sport as although most of the time i enjoy company of other falconers especially 4 or 5 i can mention to be out there with just you and your bird hunting is a real joy. We are privileged to be in the country amongst places that where hear millions of years before us and will be there millions after our ones are dust.
How could you miss such a thing.
To those thinking of taking it up then there are two options in my experience this year.
1...Stick to one Falconer..This is fine if Time and Work and Families match if they don't you will get frustrated so ...PATIENCE' is needed . I am afraid that's my weakness but i am getting there.
2....Get a tight knit of falconers say 3 or 4 and take tips from each like i have done that way you spread the load and keep reading those Books.
One last note.
Telemetry..Get it. If you Do not and you loose your bird you have killed it.
To make a training mistake is acceptable but to scrimp on Money for the sake of your bird is not.
If you can't get Telemetry do not fly free until you can or if not take up origami instead .
I leave you with RATZ who is fit and well . The picture of him on my head was a kind gesture from my wife to place a chic leg on it whilst i was not looking.
Oh yes ...'WEIGHT' and 'DIET'. iF YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WATCH A FALCONER WEIGH HIS BIRD AND LEARN ABOUT CONTROL AND SUPPLEMENTS.If you get that you are half way there.Never Fly it Underweight rather over than under.
And Finaly Be nice to Falconers Wives or Husbands they need to be on your side .
I found this out the first time i met one, a lovely lady but as i was told 'It pays to be on the good sde of her'
In this case its great advice.
This post is not designed to insult or upset anyone .If it has its you with the problem!
Minty
Finally i would like to thank many well wishers but a few personal thanks to some that are on here and some who are not.
Miguel Gomez and Mark Dunn especially for showing me the ropes putting up with my waffling eating their mince pies chirozo and cake.
And Mr Dunn will you please do something with that 'Hound of the Baskerville' as it scares the **** out of me.:prayer:
Goodbye and Good Hunting to All.