Pakistan's Last Recorded Eagle Hawker

[Turumti]

The pic attached below is that of Noorullah Khan Achakzai, a deceased friend of mine. Noorullah was the last recorded falconer in Pakistan to hunt with eagles. The bird in this picture was a female he had taken as a downy eyass from an eyrie not far from where he lived in Balochistan. With her he had taken many a hare, and also several foxes, a couple of jackals and an unfortunate urial ram.

This picture was taken circa 1976. Noorullah was my mentor - Jeremy Anderson's contemporary and friend. He died in 2003 after a long illness. May his soul rest peace.

[Hawkmaster]

Turumti thank you for that and if you can tell us more about him, his life and those wonderful falconry tales please do? All dedicated falconers need praise and recognition.

RIP Noorullah Khan Achakzai

Paul

[StormRider]

Lets hope that there are bigger and more beautiful birds to fly in heaven. Turumti, do you have any more tales to tell regarding his lifes work with eagles?
STU

[EagleMan]

what a sad loss....Noorulah life deserve a book, i'm very sorry, may Great Allah take care of his soul.....i,m sorry....

[Sandeep]

Hi Turumti...

Turumti is the best bird (of the small birds) I have flown. They are by far the most gutsy birds for their size. The last eagler as far as I am concerned is Sir. Sirdar Osman. He is still alive at a ripe age of 90 + He lives in Dehra Dhoon and has flown birds in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is all prior to the partition then called Sindh. If you read his book - Falconry in the Land of the Sun... You will definitely get a better picture of what I mean. he has got photographic evidence in the book.

That book are his reminances of a falconer... And its a must read for the falconer and austringer.

The picture in your link is amazing.... The bird looks so magestic and so does the eagler... And who wouldnt be???

[Moses]

nice pic brother salman , may Allah grant him a righteous abode in heaven ameen


awesome looking eagle too as hawkmaster says tell us more plz , sounds a cool man

[Aerial]

Sandeep,

After talking to you on the phone about your experience with Turumtis (i.e., red headed merlins, not to mention all the other birds you have trapped and flown!), I must say that I would love to train one of these impressive little birds!! Any way to export a wild one from India or would that be illegal???? You were saying that they are abundant in some areas, particularly in Hyderabad.

I think that I will order that book, "Falconry in the Land of the Sun". Sounds like a fascinating biography of a great falconer who has a breadth of experience to share.

I like the picture of Noorullah. That's a keeper.

Mark

[Sandeep]

Hi Mark

It is illegal to trade in BOPs and other birds in India. I have seen and trapped lots (25-30) of these pretty falcons. The best part is they become very tame in no time. The most a falconer (experienced) would take is 2 weeks to start hunting if not earlier. Ther have been instances of a few Indian falconers hunting with these birds in less than a week. I dont think its impossible, so long as you spend at least 6 - 7 hours a day. Its a bit difficult for us as we could not spend more than 3 hours a day of manning.

You must read the book on S.M. Osman. I will definitely lend the book for you to read, but its a must in your shelf. I was at the Sheraton in Abu Dhabi and left at 2300 Hrs last evening. Was busy and hence was unable to contact you. Will definitely see you next week.

[Sandeep]

Hi Tururmti...

Salman is that you????? The salman I know ????????

[Turumti]

Yup its me.

[Turumti]

Turumtis and sakers train the quickest of all falcons, I have had a a turumti out hunting in five days and a saker in ten days.

[Sandeep]

He is not bullshiting .... Turrumtis get trained real quick. I had a passage turumti that was flying 20 feet on the creance the day after it was trapped. I have also had a Shikra (male) that flew to my fist leash length 3 hours after being trapped. This was witnessed by a fellow falconer, but it I started hunting with her only on the 12th day. That shikra was something else. Also its the smallest male shikra I have ever seen.I have tried this with a lot many birds... but they dont sit steady on the fist in the first three hours.