Click here if you fly a Harris (the best choice)

[North East Harris Hawker]

no need to add a comment(unless you feel you must), we know they are the best species going, it'll just be interesting to see how many hits this thread gets!!

[Hawkmaster]

I have two males, both being flown by friends. I will fly a Female Gos & Female Gyr/Saker this year.

[SSL]

no need to add a comment(unless you feel you must), we know they are the best species going, it'll just be interesting to see how many hits this thread gets!!

I fly a female Harris Hawks, her 'real' hunting weights 2lb but she still takes bunnies all day long at 2lb4oz (a busy week with lots of kill feeding the weight just crept up!). Aint nothing this hawk wont take, and agree with NEHH, you just cant beat the Harris.

Steve.

[Gos]

i fly harris they are good hunters but i also fly goshawks and once you seen a gos in flying and killing theres no turning back, a harris is a good bird but a gos is the ultimate killing machine!

[SSL]

i fly harris they are good hunters but i also fly goshawks and once you seen a gos in flying and killing theres no turning back, a harris is a good bird but a gos is the ultimate killing machine!

Hi Gos,

Care to put a wager on that? :)

Aint nothing your Gos gonna catch MY Harris can't. :)

Steve.

[Gos]

Hi Steve,

When it comes to feather game in mid flight your harris doesn't stand a chance :twisted:

Kev.

[Darryl]

[quote=Gos]i fly harris they are good hunters but i also fly goshawks and once you seen a gos in flying and killing theres no turning back, a harris is a good bird but a gos is the ultimate killing machine!

I have experience off both, currently with a Gos, would never ever go back to a harris although they are excellent birds they is no comparison to a good gos IME

[North East Harris Hawker]

ive heard a lot of people do a lot of talking about Goshawks! Admittedly they are a handsome and very capable creature but all the ones I have seen are far too "skitty" and lack obediance, I think that there are a lot of Harris hawks out there that dont get flown at their best but still manage to put something in the bag and this is where gos flyers start to pick fault, I had a female harris that WAS flown everyday and it WOULD overhall and catch a pheasant in flight, it caught partridges and pigeon too. I accept that the gos is a faster bird generally but is it a thinker like the harris too? There is a LOT more time and work involved with Goshawks but for how much more gain?
someone told me this "A good Goshawk is better than a good Harris Hawk, but you dont see many good Goshawks"
and "Those with really good Goshawks usually dont work" (not having a dig but giving some idea of how much time needs to go into these birds)
your comments please!

[Darryl]

Appreciate your comments, the Gos I speak off is out seven days a week, has was the harris. There is no skittyness or lack of obedience. The difference in speed is more than noticable, has is the explosive speed of the glove, and yes harris are good thinkers they need to be, but gos hawks ain't stupid, the bird I speak off has learnt a good deal of ambush techniques, though usually it is a very direct bird that just does enough to catch it's quarry. I've seen this bird go through a six bar gate with out letting off awesome. I have also seen the old Harris do some very good things, each to there own they are both excellent birds. And we are lucky to be able to fly them. Keep the comments coming it's fun :-)

[SSL]

Hi Steve,

When it comes to feather game in mid flight your harris doesn't stand a chance :twisted:

Kev.

I've yet to see a Gos take a Pheasant in flight, sure I hear all the Gos lads tell me they pull them down and its an awesome sight, all I've seen is Gos and Pheasant disappear, sometimes resulting in a kill. Just like flying my Harris on them, the day I see a Gos pull down a Pheasant in less than a 100 yards from the fist, I may convert!

Steve.

[SSL]

<SNIP> I had a female harris that WAS flown everyday and it WOULD overhall and catch a pheasant in flight, it caught partridges and pigeon too. <SNIP>

Lee,

Are we talking about flights from the fist?

I was once speaking to a Gos lad, who told me his Gos would take more feather from the fist than my Harris, so what? Falconers dont expect Peregrines to take Pheasants from the fist, its NOT there flight style so why expect a Harris to fly like a Gos? Its not getting the most from the hawk.

Steve.

[North East Harris Hawker]

steve, yes the bird I was reffering to was flown from the fist, admittedly it was not the largest female, going around 2lb 2oz she was a great hunter, unfortunately she came a cropper about 3yrs back, my new job is 4 days on 5 days off, so my "new" bird does not get anywhere near the amount of flying the old one did, but more than some peoples!! Im not going to pull holes in goshawks, I'd love to see a good one go and catch something, if i had a job such as a postman, i'd probably have a go at flying one myself.

[Darryl]

If you wanna see a gos in action download Gos hawk catches duck from this site :-
http://www.onlinefalconry.com/1photoindex.htm

[SSL]

If you wanna see a gos in action download Gos hawk catches duck from this site :-
http://www.onlinefalconry.com/1photoindex.htm

Hi Darryl,

I've seen the clip and while its good fun to watch, I don't think it proves your point really, ducks aren't the fastest birds on the rise. My Harris can do that! If you have any footage or know of any showing a Gos taking a Pheasant in flight I'd love to see it.

Steve.

[SSL]

steve, yes the bird I was reffering to was flown from the fist, admittedly it was not the largest female, going around 2lb 2oz she was a great hunter, unfortunately she came a cropper about 3yrs back, my new job is 4 days on 5 days off, so my "new" bird does not get anywhere near the amount of flying the old one did, but more than some peoples!! Im not going to pull holes in goshawks, I'd love to see a good one go and catch something, if i had a job such as a postman, i'd probably have a go at flying one myself.

Hi Lee,

That bird should have shut a few of the Harris-haters up! LOL.

That bird was flying two oz heavier than my female, and the only quarry she's struggled with is Brown Hare, she's not experienced enough on them yet, but shes still a young bird. I think too much emphasis is put on the size of the hawk, abit like Falconers with colour morphs. There's nothing a 2lb8oz females going to catch my 2lb'er cant! :)

Steve.

[Darryl]

If you wanna see a gos in action download Gos hawk catches duck from this site :-
http://www.onlinefalconry.com/1photoindex.htm

Hi Darryl,

I've seen the clip and while its good fun to watch, I don't think it proves your point really, ducks aren't the fastest birds on the rise. My Harris can do that! If you have any footage or know of any showing a Gos taking a Pheasant in flight I'd love to see it.

Steve.
Steve I wasn't trying to prove a point, just providing some good fun to watch 8) The guy who does the camera work on that footage is excellent, it is very difficult to be in the right place at the right time. Steve have you ever seen the video Urban Goshawking ?

[SSL]

[/quote]
Steve I wasn't trying to prove a point, just providing some good fun to watch 8) The guy who does the camera work on that footage is excellent, it is very difficult to be in the right place at the right time. Steve have you ever seen the video Urban Goshawking ?[/quote]

Having tried to film some of my own flights I know exactly what you are saying mate! :)

I havent seen the urban video no, after hearing the up-roar it caused I got the guys number with intention of buying the vid, I tried a few times without success and eventually lost the number. I'm sure I will come across it one day.

Steve.

[Hawkmaster]

Boys, boys, boys! Don't you just love it? Those who know me will tell you the amount of praise I give the Harris hawks, but SOMETHING really BIG stirrs in me when the Goss is really cooking!

Maybe we can get Nimbus in here to comment on a flight he saw last season, not a pheasant, but it was off the fist anyway.

[SSL]

Boys, boys, boys! Don't you just love it? Those who know me will tell you the amount of praise I give the Harris hawks, but SOMETHING really BIG stirrs in me when the Goss is really cooking!

Maybe we can get Nimbus in here to comment on a flight he saw last season, not a pheasant, but it was off the fist anyway.

Hi Hawkmaster,

Care to divulge in his absence?

Steve.

[Hawkmaster]

I am sure he will respond, but it was a repeat flight we had witnessed a few days or week or two before, well to be honest this first one was better even though there was no kill.

On the first occaision, the Gos left my fist and she chased the quarry at night at least a 100 yards from us and then started to climb after the slippery quarry and they were at about 100 foot, when the light could no longer be kept on the bird as the distance was to far, we then shone the lamp at out feet and she returned. BOY still gives me a chill!

[North East Harris Hawker]

Sounds good to me! going back to the thing about it being difficult to film/photo good chases because it all to often happens when your least expecting it..... "oh theres nobody home in that warren" closely followed by "heyyyy ho!" when roger rabbit finally makes his appearance to the surprise of everyone! It just makes me wonder how some people manage to capture video/photos of alegedly "wild" creatures and them being caught if you know what i mean :wink: I was told that this was one of the reasons that the U.G. vid was frowned upon, anyone care to comment?

[SSL]

Sounds good to me! going back to the thing about it being difficult to film/photo good chases because it all to often happens when your least expecting it..... "oh theres nobody home in that warren" closely followed by "heyyyy ho!" when roger rabbit finally makes his appearance to the surprise of everyone! It just makes me wonder how some people manage to capture video/photos of alegedly "wild" creatures and them being caught if you know what i mean :wink: I was told that this was one of the reasons that the U.G. vid was frowned upon, anyone care to comment?

Hi Lee,

Having tried to film/photo my own flights I know it can be done, without 'Banana's'. Never used one, every! Its just tricky and more films are rejected than being usable.

As for U.G. the main reason for it being frowned upon was that he was car hawking, which is actually illegal, sure you can spot game, get out the car and pursue with hawk, dogs whatever. But flying from the vehicle at quarry or using the vehicle to move quarry to a more 'pleasing' position is not allowed. The fact he flies a Goshawk at Magpies from a moving vehicle in built up area's was also frowned upon. But not having seen the film this is all 'hear'say'.

Steve.

[SSL]

I am sure he will respond, but it was a repeat flight we had witnessed a few days or week or two before, well to be honest this first one was better even though there was no kill.

On the first occaision, the Gos left my fist and she chased the quarry at night at least a 100 yards from us and then started to climb after the slippery quarry and they were at about 100 foot, when the light could no longer be kept on the bird as the distance was to far, we then shone the lamp at out feet and she returned. BOY still gives me a chill!

I'm intrigued but a little disappointed. This may change with the facts. :)

Steve.

[North East Harris Hawker]

No doubt some smart alec will put it on the internet someday anyway, then we can all have a snoop at it and put our comments on here
I have tried photographing and found it almost impossible, funny how some manage it with goshawks, I find that my harris is far too quick to photograph, yet these boys with the goshawks manage to do it? Maybe their birds aint as quick as ours! heheheh :wink: :lol:

[Hawkmaster]

Sorry Steve, though we may have had Nimbus tell it from his view point that evening, but he still may, so I will say it was Woodcock. We came across 3 in a month and she caught two. The flight above was the first, the one with Albert or Nimbus present was her first Woodcock kill and the second a week or so later.

I must also add the bird was by no mean fit or where I wanted her as she only flew for just over a month. Hey there is always this coming season!

[Darryl]

Regarding Urban goshawking, I have it on video, I am trying to get it converted on to dvd. Awesome watching the Gos accelerate from the car when it is let go, dropping down over hedges then ambushing it's quarry at very high speed, most of the magpies / crows , don't know what hits them, and don't stand a chance, it also takes on some crows / maggies at long distance with fantastic results.

[Hawkmaster]

Hey Darryl, I will happily pop it on DVD for you for a copy?

[North East Harris Hawker]

Now theres an offer you cant refuse! how much would you want to burn me a copy too hawkmaster?

[Hawkmaster]

Well seeing it is Darryls Vid, maybe he should be selling them, hey we will work something out I am sure.

[SSL]

Sorry Steve, though we may have had Nimbus tell it from his view point that evening, but he still may, so I will say it was Woodcock. We came across 3 in a month and she caught two. The flight above was the first, the one with Albert or Nimbus present was her first Woodcock kill and the second a week or so later.

I must also add the bird was by no mean fit or where I wanted her as she only flew for just over a month. Hey there is always this coming season!

Lamping Woodcock? Each to their own, came very close to bagging one last season unfortunately it was in the daylight, when the Woodcock knew where it was going!

Steve. :)

[North East Harris Hawker]

this is fairly typical conversation between goshawkers and harris hawkers! getting back onto the original thread, has anyone got any good harris stories?

[Jiff]

im flying a harris soon just had confirmation of a female in the nest watch this space gosies(thats the best harris story i know mate)

[Darryl]

Hey Darryl, I will happily pop it on DVD for you for a copy?
A friend has the vid, at the mo, it is proving difficult to get back, I will get in touch HM, when I have it, good thread, but ya cant honstly believe that an Harris is better than a GOS :lol: :lol: :twisted:

[North East Harris Hawker]

i suppose it depends upon what your definition of "better" is !
yes the gos it quick, but its evolved to live in woods not by coincidence, if your looking for a hawk that will perform in woods,scrub,chalklands and soar off hilltops that will always put something in the bag, i believe the Harris is IMPOSSIBLE to beat, The fact that the goshawk is quicker in flight doesnt come into it (for me) The harris is just so biddable (im sure mine can actually read my mind) what it lacks in speed against the gos it makes up for it in many many other areas.

[Hawkmaster]

Darryl - Any luck with that video?

NEHH - Gosses can also soar, we just do not see them again afterwards!

[North East Harris Hawker]

Ha Ha! PMSL ! its funny that we can all still manage to laugh when our birds go awol, i think its just one of those things thats not worth getting the hump on about, it happens to everyone in this game sooner or later :roll:

hi all !!.

ive been flying a male harris for the last 4 years now, last august i traveled from yorkshire down to devon to collect my female harris that i have been waiting for 2 seasons,
she was a corker !!!....got her going....her first kill was a treerat...then went on to take rabbits,pheasants, more squirrels and a few water hens to say the least.

while out hunting on a friends farm with a few friends of mine, the 4 birds we were flying got pre-occupied with some rats that were in the hedge beside a maze field.
One after the other were taken....and every time we all got our birds back on the fists and went back across the fields to where we were trying to bolt some rabbits the ******s just shot off and hammered a rat.

my young female how ever didnt make the connection on her persuit so made up into a tree, so once again we trudged across the fields to retrieve our birds.....just as i got to where mia (my young female) was, she took off shot down the hedgeline and ploughed through the hedge amd cought hold of a rat , i made my way to her dispached the rat got her on the fist and see that she had been bitten, well !!! as you can imagin i ****"e"...

we cleaned the cut and made our way to the cars ( the day was over )...when i got home i rang the vet.
"bring her straight down".... so i did took her into the vet he took samples of the cut...and took a blood sample too..anti-biotic injection, and medication was issued,
i had to go down to the local practice for a follow up and get the results, while in the waiting room i was approched by a woman asking if she could film mia and myself for a programme called "zoo vet at large" (mat brash).
i was'nt that interested really as my only concern was the wellfair of mia, but did agree for her to be in the room while we got the results ( no filming ).
Mat had got the results and good news no infection and she was healing very well...

when i got out and spoke to the woman about the filming... i did agree to be part of the programme....matr was to do a house visit...then another visit to the vet.....bla bla bla....there we go !!!

A couple of days after the filming mia seemed to go off her food on the saturday....sunday she didnt eat anything....monday she was back at the vet...he took more blood and gave me some suplement that i had to syringe into her every 2 hrs ( to keep her from dehydrating).
this went on for the rest of the day and into tues, tues i got home from work and took her back down to the vet concerned with how low she looked ...still not got her appitite back at all !!!.

matt took her in and put her on a drip... the following day my wife went down to see how things were going then rang me at work saying mia seemed a little more allert and not so down...after work i went straight down and she looked much better i even had her climb in the fist without a prompt ( you know what i mean when you pust the hand to the leg almost making them climb on).
i slept much better that nite i tell you !!.

the following day i had planned to meet my wife at the vets from work,
mid morning i had a call from her......crying.....mia had died .
my heart sank through my ass.....i was devastated.....

i rang matt to ask what had happened.... that morning he had got the second results and the white cells were the opposit to what there are sposed to be ( to high....or too low ..cant remember really)...only that her body was fighting some infection.
my wife went down to see mia and do all the signning thing ...collect her ring and jessies ect,

when matt done the autopsy and tests it showed she had a form of viles deseese (weils or summut)...caused by the rat bite, at first i was soo annoyed "why was'nt this picked up earlier?".......( i was clutching at anything really).
as you all know the circulation in a hawks feet and legs is very slow...this is why it didnt show up at first and took a while to show .

its an absolute gut wrencher when you loose somthing like this........its like loosing one of the family even.

also you get the feeling that you have failed and its all down to myself...inadiquate even...( the poor girl did'nt even have her first moult)..
well as you can imagin emotions have gone from one level to another, and still cant make my mind up weather to get another of not !!!

"still gutted !!"

kev

[North East Harris Hawker]

Kev that is such an unfortunate case, I dont think anybody would put any blame on you for allowing your bird to do what she would naturally. Moreso mia did get help from a vet which is more than she would have in the wild, Ive had a bird die and its not the money, its all the time spent and all the experiences shared.
"when your first wife dies, it leaves such a big hole in your heart that all the others will fall straight through it"
so true, same thing goes with the birds, it hurts when your bird/dog dies but time helps you get over it
I'd say that if you are still in a position to enjoy falconry then have a think about a new bird- you know it makes sense :wink:

cheers shag,

i know what you are saying,

infact mia's sister (this years clutch from same parents) is there waiting to be picked up in about 3 weeks if i want her.......

i just wish my male was'nt moulting out....i know when we get back out in the field....i'll want a female, i did enjoy flying a cast.

kev

[North East Harris Hawker]

the males are still great fun on their own, but i know what your saying about the cast, its amazing how brave the males become when they've got the heavy mob just a wingbeat behind! keep us posted about mia's sister :wink:

[Jiff]

hi guy"s,
very unfortunate and sad story my mate,can i just say that if anybody hunts where theres a rat population you must be very carefull not just for you"re charges but for yourself aswell wiels desies will kill you also and you dont need to be bitten,becks and rubbish dumps are the rats food supply and theire toilet the easiest way to be infected is by theire urine so be carefull out there"THIS PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING WAS BRAUGHT TO YOU BY JIFF"(COS HE CARES:) )

[North East Harris Hawker]

if anyone wants anymore info on weills disease, I thinks the correct term for it is "leptospirosis jaundice" a search on google will give you more info

[Jiff]

i new that but couldnt spell it

[Hawkmaster]

Well Stuff it twice I say!

First time because Darryl, looks like we have to start a new thread called Gosses vs Harris Hawks!

And the second Jiff because we are falconrys so stuff the spelling, WE WANT TO GO FLYING!

[North East Harris Hawker]

goss's versus harris sounds like a great thrad to me! ha you just know it'll create a stink between a few people! :twisted: arguments galore! :twisted: it was'nt my idea though so i'll leave it alone for the time being :roll:

[North East Harris Hawker]

i like to watch the males fly, they seem so much quicker and agile than the female, has anyone here switched over after noticing this? im really thinking about it :shock:

[Ian Wileman]

I fly four, at once, in a crowd of up to fifteen people. Male harris that is, and with the help of a friend and my missus. UNBELIEVABLE FUN!!!! then, we take the four and go out (me and my mate) and we can hunt them all at once. I have never had a gos, even though I do think they are beautiful. I am just wondering, how many gos can be flown together almost in 'pack like' formation? That would be an interesting flight dont you think? four gos in a wood at once after say....one pheasant...or one rabbit...or one woodcock...or the slowest gos!!!!!

[Hawkmaster]

You can only make it work if they know each other and there is enough quarry. On a BFC meet in Cornwall we saw 3 go off after pheasants across a valley, no kills but. then the important thing was they all got their birds back safely.

[North East Harris Hawker]

thats a fair point hawkmaster, not all harrises are as sociable as they possibly could be, ive seen a few squabbles between them, obviously if they are well known/bonded/family, the risk of a brawl is reduced

[Sniper]

A few of us fly a cast of unrelated harris's and they did squabble for the first month of flying, no injuries to the birds just a case of them finding out themselves who is the dominant bird, after that has been settled they soon settle down and begin hunting and eating together

[North East Harris Hawker]

sniper, do you find its the youngsters that seem to be the instigators of squabbles?

[Sniper]

older birds seem ok, the younger birds seem to cause the trouble..******s they are!!! :lol: sniper, do you find its the youngsters that seem to be the instigators of squabbles?

[North East Harris Hawker]

i suppose you could compare that to older blokes and teenagers! Ill do anything for the quiet life 8)

[Hawkmaster]

NOT my 8 year old Harris, he will terrorise any bird, dog or quarry! Very Cheeky, but 100% OK with people?

[North East Harris Hawker]

most perculiar, my girl seems really chilled, unless my GSP gets a little close to the kill, whereupon she shows him just who the boss is!

[Saluqi]

if anyone wants anymore info on weills disease, I thinks the correct term for it is "leptospirosis jaundice" a search on google will give you more info
cant the birds be vaccinated for it like dogs are? I once met a chap that had caught it, even after a year he still looked like a walking skeleton.

[North East Harris Hawker]

maybe i could do with it for a couple of months! Ive got a bit of a weight problem because of my feet.... I cant keep them out of the pie shop! ha ha! :lol:

[Hawkmaster]

I blame it on the wife, she forces me to cook too well! :oops:

[North East Harris Hawker]

gtoing back to the dog thing, ive been talking to a mate of mine today who's female harris gave the dog a lesson on "who's boss" funny how they hate dogs so much but are prepared to have a go at them :shock:

[Hawkmaster]

The behaved Harris has to be a friend bird, Shadow! I have only seen her open her wings once and that was it. But the rest all still think dogs are coyotes!

[North East Harris Hawker]

it does take a long time to get them steady around dogs, you would thing that a gsp is a gsp but the bird does know the difference between individual dogs! although they seem to understand when a guest dog is actually a worker

[Jiff]

count down is now in full swing the mews is almost complete and soon i"ll be flying a female harris called "SKY"..............bang on man

[Kornie]

I have 3 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and they are very big dogs. And my female harris' can easily tell them apart. She is fine with two, but terrorises the younger bitch.

However I'm starting to bring down Trinitys weight for flying again. And she did a couple of flutters yesterday (still far too fat) and landed on a post about 1 foot away from the dogs (who at this stage were a bit confused) and turned her back on all three of the dogs and focused her gaze at me again whilst the dogs were sniffing at her tail!! She is definately top of the food chain in our household. 8)

[North East Harris Hawker]

when is it your picking your bird up jiff?

[Jiff]

i"ve to contact the breeder and pay a visit this comming week,i need to get a rough ready day from him,i"tll be september now,then organise time off work and pick a final pick up day,i"ll have two weeks of un hindered attension to give her.

[North East Harris Hawker]

i bet your looking forward to picking that bird up after all the waiting jiff, who is the breeder?

[Kornie]

Yeah I think they are pretty smart. Good looking dogs !

[Jiff]

the breeder is adrian donkin of stanley i"ve been up and seen the breeding paire and they"re pretty awsome looking,he comes very recomended and one of the lads in the club has a male from the same pair which he entered 10 days after collection some going i"ll think you"ll agree.

[North East Harris Hawker]

ive seen donkins birds, he must have some nice stock judging by what he churns out, im sure you'll be very happy with your bird from him 8)

[Jiff]

in a funny way i wouldnt care how the bird turns out,i"ve commited my self completely to it since it hatched,even tho i"ve never seen it yet,may sound odd to some but it"s the way i am,i"ll keep ya posted on our relationship as it develops,
P.S. BBQ thursday lee if you"re free you and the missus more than welcome i"ll give you a bell when i"ve finalised.

[North East Harris Hawker]

hey thanks for that jiff, i look forward to it 8)

[North East Harris Hawker]

be interesting to see if that bird of yours does manage to pull herself a hare down this year, these birds really are great, i know most people like big birds but there is a lot to be said for the 2lb 2 harris!

[Hawkmaster]

GOS & DARRYL are your birds moulted yet?

[North East Harris Hawker]

harriss are great birds but has anyone ever had a duff one (and i dont mean an unfit one)

[Hawkmaster]

YES Dave Newby, it kept wanting to attach itself to my head! lol

[North East Harris Hawker]

ha ha! PMSL maybe it just had a preference fo coots? lmao :lol: :wink:

[Gos]

if tou want to see a gos take a pheasnant out in mid flight you should wach phantom of the forest there is a female on there taking a cock pheasant out. put i over 5000 acres of flying ground, there is loads of pheasents , my gos takes them out of the fist, there are loads of rabbits to.

[North East Harris Hawker]

is it a male of a female you are flying gos?

[Gos]

i fly a finish male and german female

[North East Harris Hawker]

do you pair these two up over the moult?

[Gos]

im going to this time, i also got a pure finish pair

[GoneHawking]

GOS I have a copy of The phantom of the forest and it is a cracking film, some wild gosses and some clearley falconers birds, do you have a copy of the complete film or where can I buy it from, not sure if it is a BBC or ITV production, my uncle is a wildlife film Director at BBC Bristol.

[Parahawker]

Fly Male HH for 8yr
had the female 1 yr

Flew 57 at english school of falconry..
I know them pretty well

[Gos]

GoneHAWKING yes i record it of the tv but i could do with a new copy

[North East Harris Hawker]

Fly Male HH for 8yr
had the female 1 yr

Flew 57 at english school of falconry..
I know them pretty well
i take it your a falconer for a living ?

[Parahawker]

used to be.
But i worked for one too many that i didnt agree with.
People dont like me for what i know at my age.

I also got rather pi55ed off that when speaking with people they would invite you up for an interview, but in reality they were just interested to know who I was & how i know what i do.

My advice to anyone wanting to work in falconry.
Travel, travel as far as you can away from england
Move around the globe working in falconry.
You will learn nothing here.


I'm sure you'll hear about me over the next few years :roll:

[Ian Wileman]

i worked for one too many that i didnt agree with.
People dont like me for what i know at my age.
I also got rather pi55ed off that when speaking with people they would invite you up for an interview, but in reality they were just interested to know who I was & how i know what i do. (perhaps you should be flattered rather than ****ed off).
You will learn nothing here. (not sure you are on the right forum, if you indeed think 'you will learn nothing here....most of us are indeed British falconers - all of us have valid opinions - all of us have something to give - and all of us (except you perhaps), have something to learn)..........

I'm sure you'll hear about me over the next few years :roll:

Beware your over confidence......you may well come unstuck......over confident people usually do.....EVEN AT YOUR AGE!

Sorry if this causes you any offence, but I believe a little humility is a good thing.

[Gaz]

"Tis much easier to be critical,than to be correct"...dont know who wrote it,but recon its good.
Every body has something else to learn,when you know it all,you have no need to be...and shuffle off this mortal coil. :mrgreen:
Sorry if this causes you any offence, but I believe a little humility is a good thing.

(first time i agree with mr.Wileman,something must be wrong!) :?

[Ian Wileman]

Stop it Gaz....your always agreeing with me.....it may be disagreeing, but neverless there is an agree in there somewhere. By the way, its Sir to you!

[Wightwings]

[quote="Gaz"]"Tis much easier to be critical,than to be correct"...dont know who wrote it,but recon its good.
Every body has something else to learn,when you know it all,you have no need to be...and shuffle off this mortal coil. :mrgreen: [quote]

wow Gaz, :shock: deep dude veeeery deep 8)

[North East Harris Hawker]

here, how many peoples harris hawks talk to them? mine makes a little croaky noise when she sees me to say hello :!: :)

[Ian Wileman]

only Oak....the others are too fat and contented to want to know me!

[Lee]

All mine are like that too... no wait!..that's women!

[Leeds Newby]

got a m harris first bird and loving it

[North East Harris Hawker]

is that a first year bird you have? or was it trained by someone else?

[KenHawker1970]

Ile stick with my female harris, she'l do me. Besides I dont think it matters what birds we hunt with, as long as we keep on hunting with them.

Reguards Ken

[Leeds Newby]

yeah nehh its 22 week old and he's coming on now leeps and bounds

[Mr. Twinkie]

well of course it is....its a harris....anybody could fly em......and they do.....i know loads.......sum off us prefer the better choice......a gos!!!! :wink:

[Leeds Newby]

well twinkie as you can see im new to this so my obvious choice was a harris becouse as you seem to think anyone can fly one !!! so when i grow up i want to be just like you !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr. Twinkie]

i know its hard being me :roll: :lol: when my gran can fly a harris....any1 can :wink: if the hardened goshawk fans where to fly a harris they'd do a better job than most harris hawkers........
controversy.......wot controversy..... :wink:

[North East Harris Hawker]

my gran flies a cast of goshawks, they never seem to catch much, she said she wants to upgrade to a harris, looks like old dogs can learn new tricks :wink:

[Leeds Newby]

goshawks ? harris's sh@t them !!!!!

[Mr. Twinkie]

my gran would hav a gos, but she'd need a trailer on her zimmer frame to carry all the game home....thats why she's flying a hh instead.... :wink:

[North East Harris Hawker]

:drinkers: :vom: :lol: ha ha ha pmsl !
Ive got a trailer for my HH's game, after a good walk out its usually full of dead goshawks!

[Hawkmaster]

I have a RUBBISH Goshawk and am will to challenge anyone with a Harris, on a one on one basis in the same field to see who catches the most?

[Mr. Twinkie]

letting your hh catch sum1's gos will its on a phesants isnt very nice....
better keep this on track....wer taking rubbish....hh r the bestest bird ever..... if you jus wanna catch rabbits.....and pheasants that r up against a fence....and ducks that cant walk back to the river quick enuff..... :wink:
(i'm not anti hh btw...fly em all wk long) :D

[North East Harris Hawker]

harris hawks catch just about everything that a goshawk catches, ok they are NOT AS QUICK, but surely this makes them a more strategic hunter if they can still fill the game bag as efficiently?
and the plumage is bomb proof unlike the gos's :P

[Mr. Twinkie]

i wouldnt say ther plumage is any better....you shld c my hh after a few mths work!! i normally hav 2 go 2 the local BoP centre 2 steal tail feathers :lol: i do believe that feather quality is down 2 wot the bird has been feed whilst moulting.....but that would be another thread..... :wink:

[Mr. Fong]

Sorry, but I think a Gos has a better killer instinct. The Northern Gos needs to kill more often because of where it lives. HH don't have to worry about their prey freezing in winter months, but a gos does!! They will kill (in the wild) more often and at higher weights than in captivity because they have to. They gos will NEVER miss an opportunity to kill something, that is just in its instincts.

[Sharpster]

HH feathers loads more pliable than a GOS,you dont see many HH wearing a tail protector on their weathering.(or do you?!)
i cant believe a harris can have the out & out determination to murder as the average gos does!
but on the flipside,my young MHH(4 wks out the breeding pen)is more bomb-proof than my GOS ever was

[Mr. Twinkie]

HH feathers loads more pliable than a GOS,you dont see many HH wearing a tail protector

if a harris was to bate as much as a gos u'd need a tail protector.

[Ian Wileman]

I really like the idea of getting a Goshawk. I am 37 next birthday, and as I am sure most of the other Harris Hawkers on here will agree, you only get as much exercise as YOU want with a Harris. On the other hand, owning a Goshawk means you get to run after your bird EVERY time you fly it, as it gets off across woodland, fields, steams, rivers, motorways, chasing after the prey it will eventually catch, feed up on and then p*ss over a few more fields and motorways, before landing in the top of a reeeeeealy tall tree that you can then climb (thats assuming you make it to the tree), to 'try' and get your bird out of. I could do with losing a couple of pounds. Yep...Goshawk for me next I think. PMFSL

[Sharpster]

mmm,maybe,but theyre(HH)not exactly tame when you first pick them up!
but mine hasnt so much as bent a feather.
i have to say ,so far,its true about them being less sressfull to fly than a GOS!
i dare say,now ive said that,he'll fk off tomorrow & never be seen again!

[Mr. Twinkie]

I really like the idea of getting a Goshawk. there alot of fun :lol: as for the stress thing...goin for an imprint....or a bird that has been reared by an imprinted mother in an open avery takes away alot of the stress....i had 1 a few seasons ago that was as obedient as any hh.....didnt stop it flying long distance 2 catch stuff tho....i was a good few lbs lighter that season 2 :lol: anyway....i 'm goin off thread......yes hh are v good :wink:

[North East Harris Hawker]

im not sure about this gos killer instinct thing, ive seen loads of them sit in trees cos they are a quarter of zn ounce too high, a good harris will still kill an ounce or four above its real killing weight , it may be a little more reluctant to return to the glove, but can the same be said of the gos?

[Mr. Fong]

Yo NEHH, I mentioned in the wild.... The Parent reared ones do putter around if they are 1/4 oz overweight, but the imprints will hunt regardless. Give me a Gos anytime I prefer the adrenaline rush...

[Mr. Twinkie]

i hear what your saying.....hh will hunt at a higher weight.....prob cause they naturally work in a pack......and do u think that all the pack members will be hungry at the same time......i'd expect not......but they'll still participate in the hunt 2 secure food for the rest of the group...
as for gos's sitting in trees.....thats poor weight control on the falconers part.....plain and simple.....the killer instinct i think you'll find in both hh and gos's i ve had both that have chased bunnies without ever c ing a lure....and both where certain training material has had 2 be used 2 get em goin :wink:

[Shaun Byrne]

I have a RUBBISH Goshawk and am will to challenge anyone with a Harris, on a one on one basis in the same field to see who catches the most?

I'm up for it HM, there's a field not 2 miles from my house that ALWAYS has 5+ brown hares on it, you can get within 30 yards of them so you should be ok, I'll stand back a bit to give them a fair chance :D

[Mr. Fong]

Please let me know when.......

[Ian Wileman]

I wanna come see it happen! Please let me know where and when...I will bring me cameras as well!

[Kevin Massey]

id be there if its ok !!

kev

[Shaun Byrne]

Trouble is boys, we cant have a crowd because technically I dont have permission to fly there lol!! But if a bird were to wander a bit I suppose it woul be ok to go and retrieve her (with her DEAD Hare) lol!! Or without as the case may be!

[Gaz]

Get a FIT female Red there...see some competition then :mrgreen:

[Shaun Byrne]

I'll try and get some pics, last time I went it had just been set so the crop may be up a bit now but I'll try.

[Kornie]

Yo NEHH, I mentioned in the wild.... The Parent reared ones do putter around if they are 1/4 oz overweight, but the imprints will hunt regardless. Give me a Gos anytime I prefer the adrenaline rush...

I still get an adrenalin rush when im out with my harris. I think if you work a harris hard enough and get it super fit they can take almost anything a gos can.

I like the fact that I can go on a leisurely walk with my harris and just work on her fitness and have her follow on, but I also like the fact I can get a proper days hunting out of her.

As for the hares, this afternoon when I was out my harris used the wind and took on a chase with a hare...caught up with it in no time but flew straight past and bottled it, it was right at the end though and she'd already had all but one of her food, would have been interesting to see what would have happened at the begging.

Phew, look at me I do drone on.................................

[Mr. Twinkie]

I think if you work a harris hard enough and get it super fit they can take almost anything a gos can.

They can, they just wont do it in the same style.....no matter how fit a hh is it aint gonna fly down a partridge or pheasant in full flight from the fist....gos's can and will...seen it loadsa times. get a hh waiting on and flush phesants under it and they come in2 ther own :wink:

[North East Harris Hawker]

I have a RUBBISH Goshawk and am will to challenge anyone with a Harris, on a one on one basis in the same field to see who catches the most?

I'm up for it HM, there's a field not 2 miles from my house that ALWAYS has 5+ brown hares on it, you can get within 30 yards of them so you should be ok, I'll stand back a bit to give them a fair chance :D

now theres a man who has faith in his harris :D

[North East Harris Hawker]

[quote="Mr. Twinkie
They can, they just wont do it in the same style.....no matter how fit a hh is it aint gonna fly down a partridge or pheasant in full flight from the fist....gos's can and will...seen it loadsa times. get a hh waiting on and flush phesants under it and they come in2 ther own :wink:[/quote]

i had a 2lb 2 FHH a few years back and she could chase a pheasant from the fist, overhaul it and pull it down in flight as good as any gos.
however.... it was during my last ten months in the army where i ran the squadron bar during the evening and flew my bird all day every day. i have never seen another harris go like her.
she was a nasty footy thing though who came to an untimely death due to an escaped ferret. best hunter ive ever seen though

[Bill]

i had a 2lb 2 FHH a few years back and she could chase a pheasant from the fist, overhaul it and pull it down in flight as good as any gos.
however.... flew my bird all day every day. i have never seen another harris go like her.

So how do you think a female gos would fly with that much conditioning ?

[Mr. Twinkie]

how often did she catch pheasant in full flight??(im not saying i dont believe u, but its prob the exception rather than the rule) my hh are all flown daily and are as fit as they get.....they still cant outfly a pheasant......but they knw that sooner or l8r the pheasant will put in and thts gernerally when they take em.
a gos with the same conditioning......better give the pheasant a good head start :wink:

[Gaz]

Nature makes sure the prey is faster..or it would all be gone....mistakes are what make the kill :mrgreen:

[Shaun Byrne]

Ive only ever seen a handfull of Pheasant taken on the wing by a Harris', normally at take off or landing and I've only seen one Harris' that could take one in persuit, that was a male flying at 1lb 8oz.

That is until I get this new girl going, eh Varmint lol!!

[Hawkmaster]

I would love to, don't get me wrong people I like HHs and there is a huge place for them. I prefer a Gos!

Nothings can challene a good or bad Gos in flight, Ok coming back and eveything else may be worse, but I do falconry for the flight!

[Bones]

AT the end off the day we all only go out to see the flight of any bird and if we get a kill at the end of it then yes its a bonus,But lets face it whatever you fly as long as your happy the birds happy and your doing that bird justice who gives a F**K how fast one bird is to another from the fist i fly a male harris before any one asks of which i think i do justice having the time and land available to me as i could probably take a gos on havin the time and land suitable but why bother when im happy with what i FLY/HUNT so like i say i dont give a toss about all yer goss's there nice birds to see but thats it

[Hawkmaster]

Gees. . .relax it a discussion not a fight :P

[Bones]

SORRY JUST TOOK A CHILL PILL LMFAO :wink:

[North East Harris Hawker]

i had a 2lb 2 FHH a few years back and she could chase a pheasant from the fist, overhaul it and pull it down in flight as good as any gos.
however.... flew my bird all day every day. i have never seen another harris go like her.

So how do you think a female gos would fly with that much conditioning ?

probbably very well, what i am saying is that slip for slip there would not have been a lot in it with that bird, she would do it regularly preffering hen birds but a cock bird was by no means rare.
i thought she was marvelous until she lashed out one day and footed me through my lip. :x things were never the same between us after that :(

[Hawkmaster]

I have done a slip for slip day harris against Gos and also both flying free or allowed both to slip when quarry was there and the Gos has to be held back so the HHs also get a chance. This is not snubbing or banter guys it is a fact.

[North East Harris Hawker]

ive seen them go paul, they are like lightning, i like to keep things simple though 8) im not getting into a fluster when i go out, fly the bird, catch the rabbit, go for a beer :drinkers: simple 8)

[Shaun Byrne]

Its only a larf lads. Its a sad fact that one on one the Gos is a faster bird than a Harris'. There you go HM I said it.

[Shaun Byrne]

But Harris' ARE more intelligent and better looking!!!! pmsl!!!

[Hawkmaster]

Intelligent yes , mine is an absolute daft old foul BUT looks, COME ON! hey each to their own.

[Mich]

i too fly female harris and i have not had a happy season as i have had to leave her i an aviry will she regrow a broken talon :cry:

[Hawkmaster]

Some do, some don't, some hunt well too without a few claws too.

[North East Harris Hawker]

i too fly female harris and i have not had a happy season as i have had to leave her i an aviry will she regrow a broken talon :cry:
if it was broke in the wild she would still fly
get her back out :twisted:

[Mr. Twinkie]

i agree get her back out bashing bunnies :wink:

[Varmint]

Have a word with my mate?, see my diary thread:

He made a great job of a brass talon cover, worked really well and bird flew again straight away!

[Mich]

the one she lost was the big one at the front and the next to it was lost when she was younger .
so it is no good bunny bashing with only one desent foot
but she will be back next season

[Gaz]

:?: :?:

[North East Harris Hawker]

the one she lost was the big one at the front and the next to it was lost when she was younger .
so it is no good bunny bashing with only one desent foot
but she will be back next season
i recon you might be in for a surprise! harrises can take rabbits single footedly (its the head grip thats important) such a shame to miss out on the best part of the season :(

[Mich]

the only trouble with the single footed harris is the bunny is not the only thing that you want to fly how do you tell it a hare is out of bounds ?

[Coedhirion]

any one else managed to do any thing about broken talons. My friend is about to finish season cos the F.H.H took the tip off one hind talon 2 weeks ago now has broken rear talon (hallux) on the other foot. this one is close to quick so no chance of any kind of sharpening job. Some one said you can use fibre glass & glue on with araldite .. Any one ever tried

[Goran]

I fly three HHs at the same time and I had imprint gos the last season.Harris is smart and can use everything to get job done but gos is much faster if he can keep his eyes on the target.My2c.

[North East Harris Hawker]

any one else managed to do any thing about broken talons. My friend is about to finish season cos the F.H.H took the tip off one hind talon 2 weeks ago now has broken rear talon (hallux) on the other foot. this one is close to quick so no chance of any kind of sharpening job. Some one said you can use fibre glass & glue on with araldite .. Any one ever tried

i would seek advice from a vet about using rapid araldite on the birds talons, did you know that you can write into jon chitty now at the falconers mag for info? he has his own problem page!

[Yeoman]

Hi Gos,

Care to put a wager on that? :)

Aint nothing your Gos gonna catch MY Harris can't. :)

Steve.

Steve have you taken leave of your senses my friend:lol::lol:

[TimDog80]

I fly a female Harris Hawks, her 'real' hunting weights 2lb but she still takes bunnies all day long at 2lb4oz (a busy week with lots of kill feeding the weight just crept up!). Aint nothing this hawk wont take, and agree with NEHH, you just cant beat the Harris.

Steve.

i fly harris they are good hunters but i also fly goshawks and once you seen a gos in flying and killing theres no turning back, a harris is a good bird but a gos is the ultimate killing machine!

Hi Gos,

Care to put a wager on that? :)

Aint nothing your Gos gonna catch MY Harris can't. :)

Steve.

I've yet to see a Gos take a Pheasant in flight, sure I hear all the Gos lads tell me they pull them down and its an awesome sight, all I've seen is Gos and Pheasant disappear, sometimes resulting in a kill. Just like flying my Harris on them, the day I see a Gos pull down a Pheasant in less than a 100 yards from the fist, I may convert!

Steve.
the first page of this thread is pure class!!!:supz:...............im going back to finnish reading the rest:lol:

[KiteTrainer]

I'd much rather be a falconer:lol:

[JayHawk]

:supz:well well, how people change they're tune!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

harris for me:supz:

jay

[MusketMad]

Steve have you taken leave of your senses my friend:lol::lol:whos been giving that geezer drugs:lol::lol:

[OutFlying]

I fly a female Harris Hawks, her 'real' hunting weights 2lb but she still takes bunnies all day long at 2lb4oz (a busy week with lots of kill feeding the weight just crept up!). Aint nothing this hawk wont take, and agree with NEHH, you just cant beat the Harris.

Steve.


What you flying now Steve ?

[OutFlying]

the first page of this thread is pure class!!!:supz:...............im going back to finnish reading the rest:lol:

Steven,
You've witnessed both partridge and pheasant pulled from the air with ease this season, even well into January. Welcome to accipiters ;)

Jim.

[TimDog80]

Steven,
You've witnessed both partridge and pheasant pulled from the air with ease this season, even well into January. Welcome to accipiters ;)

Jim.
i bet he's gonna be kicking himself when he comes back online and see's this thread jim......:lol::lol:

[MusketMad]

i bet he's gonna be kicking himself when he comes back online and see's this thread jim......:lol::lol:by the look of some of his posts it looks like he logs on when he gets in from the pub:lol::lol:

[JayHawk]

i bet he's gonna be kicking himself when he comes back online and see's this thread jim......:lol::lol:


can't wait come on steve lets av it lol

jay

[OutFlying]

i bet he's gonna be kicking himself when he comes back online and see's this thread jim......:lol::lol:


Oh yes Tim,
I've tried my best to show Steve what a good goshawk can do :rolleyes: and this season he's witnessed some of the best hawking I've seen.

Combined this with what he's seen his own goshawk done and the original quotes are now not valid :supz:

Jim.

ps Tim get your arse up north for some goshawking before too late.

[JayHawk]

my question is

what does one do with one's **** hot harris to then fly a gos that one's harris could do just as good as, where do these birds end up???

jay

[OutFlying]

Hello Jay,
Their completely different hawks and need to flown differently, I'm certain if flown to a high standard then they will forfill the requirements in style of their owners.

If flown solely from the fist at fit gamebirds they will never match a similar fit goshawk, if flown if differnt styles i'e from slope soaring / waiting on then results will be good.

Jim.

[GoodFooter]

best read for a long time.......:lol::lol::lol: goes to prove you dont know 'til you've done it.

[Berkut]

best read for a long time.......:lol::lol::lol: goes to prove you dont know 'til you've done it.

Couldn't agree more ,you beat me to it. Unless you have flown both you are not qualified to comment.:D

[JayHawk]

Hello Jay,
Their completely different hawks and need to flown differently, I'm certain if flown to a high standard then they will forfill the requirements in style of their owners.

If flown solely from the fist at fit gamebirds they will never match a similar fit goshawk, if flown if differnt styles i'e from slope soaring / waiting on then results will be good.

Jim.

hi jim, i know and understand fully what your saying mate(wish i had the time for a gos), just pulling mr lamberts leg and also interested as to where these **** hot harris' are going too, just hope they go to new owners that fly them just as hard as the previous owner has to make them such an awesome beast, there's lots on here that have gone up a level from H to G and thats fine if you have the time, but what happens to all the harris hawks that get left at the way side, to breed (like there arn't enough breeders around these days)or sold on to newbies and end up lost etc etc who knows.

just a thought

jay

[JayHawk]

Couldn't agree more ,you beat me to it. Unless you have flown both you are not qualified to comment.:D

agreed, but from what i have read on this forum from some very experienced austringers over the last few years, i, who fly's a harris am not gonna argue the point and aspire to one day fly a gos.

jay

[OutFlying]

Hello Jay,
What people fly is dependant on time, type of land, quarry etc etc.

Sometimes a harris is the best option, sometimes not.

One thing is certain if you attempt to fly both species in the same style, then one is clearly the better option which style defines which hawk.

Jim.

[Stu Bailey]

Hi Gos,

Care to put a wager on that? :)

Aint nothing your Gos gonna catch MY Harris can't. :)

Steve.

What are your thoughts now Steve:?:

:lol:

[Silver Fox]

Hello Jay,
What people fly is dependant on time, type of land, quarry etc etc.

Sometimes a harris is the best option, sometimes not.

One thing is certain if you attempt to fly both species in the same style, then one is clearly the better option which style defines which hawk.

Jim.

that is one of the best repleys i have seen on here regaurding harris verses gos and i have flown both i flew gosses for nine or ten years but then i got fed up of flying them because most of my flying was at rabbits out of hedges flushed with a dog and the goss caught them so easey i have flown harrises for the last twelve years and i havant got to carry it and for the type of huntting i do they are well suited :supz::supz:

[MichaelBeran]

I fly a male/female cast of HH's on squirrels, rabbits, rock squirrels, and jacks.

I fly the male out the window on birds as well, very versatile little guy he is.

[TimDog80]

Oh yes Tim,
I've tried my best to show Steve what a good goshawk can do :rolleyes: and this season he's witnessed some of the best hawking I've seen.

Combined this with what he's seen his own goshawk done and the original quotes are now not valid :supz:

Jim.

ps Tim get your arse up north for some goshawking before too late.
cheers jim how much of the season have you got left??, if can find the time to get up up north ill take you up on that mate:goodman:................i may even just catch a plane up as i cant handle long distance driving:lol:

atb
tim

[Yeoman]

my question is

what does one do with one's **** hot harris to then fly a gos that one's harris could do just as good as, where do these birds end up???

jay

Hi Jay Steve still flys his harris soon has he has done with the gos he picks his harris up some habbits die hard :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[SSL]

I fly a female Harris Hawks, her 'real' hunting weights 2lb but she still takes bunnies all day long at 2lb4oz (a busy week with lots of kill feeding the weight just crept up!). Aint nothing this hawk wont take, and agree with NEHH, you just cant beat the Harris.


A perfectly true statement.


Care to put a wager on that? :)
Aint nothing your Gos gonna catch MY Harris can't. :)

Again a perfectly true statement.

I've yet to see a Gos take a Pheasant in flight, sure I hear all the Gos lads tell me they pull them down and its an awesome sight, all I've seen is Gos and Pheasant disappear, sometimes resulting in a kill. Just like flying my Harris on them, the day I see a Gos pull down a Pheasant in less than a 100 yards from the fist, I may convert!

The Goshawks I had seen did fly feather just like my Harris which is where my thoughts came from you can only speak from what you've seen?

I was a big Harris-enthusiast couple this with only ever having seen poor Goshawks flown, I was very blind, a certain yahoo list and a lot of asking questions helped me find the truth about Goshawks.

I still hold theres nothing any Goshawk can catch a Harris wont, I admit to a retrack on 'you cant beat them though'. The flight style of a Goshawk is what its all about, as I've admitted many times I was once like a pig in brown stuff when my Harris mugged three Pheasants from trees, now a Pheasant taken from a tree, whether taken on the floor or flown down and pulled out of the air is a dissapointment.

Oh I retrack on the 100 yards bit too :rolleyes:

Glad you all had a good laugh last night, :lol:

[SSL]

what does one do with one's **** hot harris to then fly a gos that one's harris could do just as good as, where do these birds end up???


Mine didn't have much of a season last year when I flew the Gos in her first season but she still was flown and took a good head of rabbits. This season she was flown by my Girlfriend up untill a week before Xmas, when I think the novelty wore off abit. She will still be cared for and flown every year, maybe not as hard as in her previous seasons, but I would never sell her.

Couldn't agree more ,you beat me to it. Unless you have flown both you are not qualified to comment.:D

I totally agree, I've only ever seen video footage of Eagles on Hares, where they give up after a failed attempt to bind and generally look unfit. I've learnt my lesson though, just because you see a few poor ones doesnt mean they are all like that. :D

[SSL]

Oh yes Tim,
I've tried my best to show Steve what a good goshawk can do :rolleyes: and this season he's witnessed some of the best hawking I've seen.

Just wish you had shown me before 2004 :lol:

[JayHawk]

just read all your replies steve well done too you plain and simple no arguements:supz::supz:

as for this reply

"Mine didn't have much of a season last year when I flew the Gos in her first season but she still was flown and took a good head of rabbits. This season she was flown by my Girlfriend up untill a week before Xmas, when I think the novelty wore off abit. She will still be cared for and flown every year, maybe not as hard as in her previous seasons, but I would never sell her."

what can i say well done to you this is how B.O.P. SHOULD BE CARED FOR

TOP ANSWERS TOP BLOKE

thanks to jim for his input also

jay

[SparsTheOne]

I've yet to see a Gos take a Pheasant in flight, sure I hear all the Gos lads tell me they pull them down and its an awesome sight, all I've seen is Gos and Pheasant disappear, sometimes resulting in a kill. Just like flying my Harris on them, the day I see a Gos pull down a Pheasant in less than a 100 yards from the fist, I may convert!

Steve.

steve i like old threads like this popping up from time to time, are you a convert now sunny. pmsl.:P


jase.

[SSL]

steve i like old threads like this popping up from time to time, are you a convert now sunny. pmsl.:P

jase.

Well and truly Jase :yawinkle:

[Hardcore Hawker]

I personally love Harris Hawks and a fit one in correct hunting condition is deadly indeed, and i dont think its right when people state " you cant go back" to a harris after flying Goshawks!! i dont see it as going backwards at all its just flying a Harris not a backward step, the male i flew for five seasons prior to flying another gos took in excess of 570 mixed head over those five seasons including many game birds granted not many of these were from the fist because thats not thier strong point but as an all rounder they cant be beaten IMO.

[GoodFooter]

I personally love Harris Hawks and a fit one in correct hunting condition is deadly indeed, and i dont think its right when people state " you cant go back" to a harris after flying Goshawks!! i dont see it as going backwards at all its just flying a Harris not a backward step, the male i flew for five seasons prior to flying another gos took in excess of 570 mixed head over those five seasons including many game birds granted not many of these were from the fist because thats not thier strong point but as an all rounder they cant be beaten IMO.

very well said Steve,
I indeed did similar....when I had my first son and had a Goshawk who really did need to be hunted very often to curb her agression....time I did not have. So I had a very enjoyable season with a couple of 'hand me down HH's'' so I didnt impose on the already too large population of HH and enjoyed some cracking flights especially with the male. When I was ready to go back to a gos....I believe I responsibly rehomed the HHs. I think HH are terrific birds.

[GarethG24]

its horses for coarses, ive seen goshawks make some excellent kills but ive also seen them after they have missed, they sulk like a little school girl. i personnally havnt flown gos but i fly rt and hh. both really strong birds but i wouldnt put my hh on brown hares but i fly my rt at them. so it all depends on what you want from the bird.

[HawksForLife]

hi everyone can someone tell me why my new female harris self hunted today. she huntes at 2lb.4oz i was told. u think i should put her up to 2lb 5oz.could that be the reason.or could it be me leaving her up in the tree when i walked back to the car for my flask.when i went back she had half eaten a bunny ??????

[HawksForLife]

:box:hi everyone can someone tell me why my new female harris self hunted today. she huntes at 2lb.4oz i was told. u think i should put her up to 2lb 5oz.could that be the reason.or could it be me leaving her up in the tree when i walked back to the car for my flask & whistle lol .when i went back she had half eaten a bunny ??????

[Daave77]

I'd love to fly another Harris but for me they are too expensive, too rare (hens teeth!) and too difficult to train! :P