Squirrel hawkin with a harris

[Adam Barrett]

im just wondering how a female harris would go on squirrel hawkin?
She took her first squirrel today-it wasent planned and i had no way to stop her as i was scrared of her getting bitten but she took it remarkably well. Could a harris be a serious squirrel hawker?
(we have millions of squirrels around my area not many rabbits tho that is why it got me particularly interested)
Thanks
Adam

[Shaun Byrne]

Well 2 weeks ago I would have said go for it, thats how long my FHH has been sat indoors on antibiotics with a leg so swolen I've had to cut her anklet off!! That was one bite and she's a seasoned tree rat killer!! If you're going to go for it get some proper chaps, the ones Gary Brewer makes in his video. If you want some PM me, my mate makes them.

[Adam Barrett]

iv got the pattern for some hear-ill try and make some up later.
do chaps make a lot of differance-do they interferre with footing?

[Shaun Byrne]

The ones I'm talking about have a foot shield and false toes, they look awkward but birds seem to get used to them quick. They can interfere with footing but this is far outweighed by the risk of a bite. I've just lost 2 weeks and another to go, of an already too short season, dont risk it mate!

[Varmint]

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[Varmint]

:arrow:

[Shaun Byrne]

Spawn of the dirt on the foot of satan spawn!!!!

[Adam Barrett]

squirrels look much better sat under my hawk :lol:
are the ones you are talking about the same ones designed by gary brewer?

[Shaun Byrne]

Yes mate, if you're talking about the ones with false toes

[Wightwings]

tree rats...............says it all one bite in the wrong place your birds only good for breeding..........hate em.

[Adam Barrett]

why do people genrally use rt's in stead of harris'.
theese are the chaps im making-if they are the right ones for the job?

[Shaun Byrne]

Better than nothing but not a patch on the ones I meant, I'll get a pic for you tomorrow. Those ones are ok but dont offer much protection for the toes.

[Varmint]

Can u get them in Blue? Cause "Chancelleer" will look lovely in those! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

[Adam Barrett]

do you think the black leather part should be extended
Thanks a pic would be greatdoes your mate sell them?

[Shaun Byrne]

Yes my mate will sell you a pair, I'll post a pic, see what you think. I'll get you a nice pink set Varmint lol!!

[Bones]

dont do it if you like flying your bird mate one bite in wrong place and its all over

[Adam Barrett]

is it the norm to do it with rt's

[Bones]

them over the pond think so but even when i flew my red i never encouraged it and when they are caught i dont let me birds have them ie no reward
just my oppinion

[Jay]

Over here we consider flying RTs at squirrels normal and encourage it in most places, as our rabbit populatons suck expecialy here on the East coast. Perosonaly I would never fly a Harris at them because they dont have the beefy feet of a RT. I have seen a harris missing a toe because of a bite. The RTs hunt them in the wild as their mane source of food. They will take bites from time to time but they usaly will heal very well. Many of us who fly squirrels almost exclusivly use squirrel chaps that cover the top of the foot and leg. I feel anyone flying squirrels with out these is foolish and iresponsable.

[Varmint]

Well, i for one will avoid them at all cost with my HH, but sometimes S*it happens!
Like HM said, Avoid them and certainly don't feed up on them!

[Adam Barrett]

thanks lads i think after hearing this i will give the squirrel hawking a miss
yesterday there was nothing i could do to stop her but it resulted in a good flight and a kill- i think i was lucky this time but i wouldent intentionall do it again i value my harris more than that.

[Goran]

My HHs hunt them and catch them.Female has small toe bent because of one bite at her upper tendon.Knock on wood no other problems even I do not have chaps on my birds.Male catches squirrels as good as a female.

[Bill]

I avoid them but it does happen and on Sunday my fhh disappeared through the wood after one. She didn't get it and I didn't even see it. She sitting in the mews with a swollen rear talon from the bite she took.
Seems to be going down but if it's not dramatically better tomorrow we'll be off to the vet.

[HawkWind]

Hi..My female hh Esmie's first catch was a squirrel.. I say catch because she caught it round the rib cage, fortuantely I was close at hand to help... its not always so !!!
So far ...One bitten back talon saved by immediate provision of antibotics

bite to upper leg again immediate antibotics

most recent bite to wing membrane requiring antibotics and 15 stitches

time lost flying 8 weeks in 2 seasons :-(

vets bill so far £ 176 :-(

Ive found it impossible to stop a her flying at squirrels.. Esmie will fly one at any distance.. so I have resolved while she is moulting to go round my ground and 'thin out' as many of the of them as possible... its the best sport any hh owner can have with squirrels !!!!!!!

[Gaz]

Good post Mart,birds on anti-b.......bitten today!! :cry:

[Gaz]

Did u get on allright with the m harris thing :?: :mrgreen:

[Bill]

I avoid them but it does happen and on Sunday my fhh disappeared through the wood after one. She didn't get it and I didn't even see it. She sitting in the mews with a swollen rear talon from the bite she took.
Seems to be going down but if it's not dramatically better tomorrow we'll be off to the vet.

Been on anti biotics, still swollen, back to vets tomorrow :( :( :( :(

[HawkWind]

Hello gaz.. Still finding my way round this site ?!!

hope this gets to you..let me know if it does ...

I spoke you your friend Donald and he says he can get me a male eyass hunting above 1lb 10oz, but it will be a june or later bird as the first clutch is spoke for...

In the mean time Ive ordered a new shed, and Im looking around to see what else is on here... its a great site

Sorry to hear about the bite...Me and esmie have the ''t'' shirt for that one :-) hope you get a quick and clean recovery

regards martin

[Falconer]

Yes my mate will sell you a pair, I'll post a pic, see what you think. I'll get you a nice pink set Varmint lol!!
h4wka are they like the ones on e-bay NOW
and where are the pictures :?: