Telemetry mounting

[LanczSpringer]

Hi

On looking on the marshall website i also saw a backpack mounting method?

This looks a really good set up and I know people use this system for tracking wild falcons but has anyone any experience of using this over here?

I would be looking at fiting it to a harris hawk or a red tail! (not sure which to get yet!!)

Also they use a sedative for doing any work to the bird, is this just a US practice? It seems a good idea to me and it eliminates the stress associated in casting a bird up!

[Hawkmaster]

I have done it and there is an article and pictures too on the forum already. I did not use drugs on the bird just a hood, much safe.

[Gos212]

I know this question is slightly off track, but I noticed in an earlier poll on the Forum tail mounting was the preffered option.

What happens late in the season near the moult if your still flying your bird ?

I have never used telemetry with any hawk and I know that the first feather to drop is usually the centre tail with the bell. Presumably cos of the extra weight.

Does anybody change the mount of the transmitter at some stage in the season ?

[Hawkmaster]

Mine only drop after I have put the bird down to moult. I use both methods.

[Shaun Byrne]

I never fly hunting hawks through the moult so I dont have that problem.
The centre deck feathers are usually the first to "drop" on any bird. This has nothing to do with the weight of tail bells or mounts as the feathers dont really drop, they are pushed out by the new feathers growing from the same shaft.
I dont see how you could change the tailmount after the moult has started as you would have to wait for the deck feathers to regrow and harden off, by that time its season well over.

[Gos212]

Sorry, I meant change the type of mount from tail to leg.

[Hawkmaster]

OK I use all three ways then, but never use the neck method of telemetry mounting.

[Shaun Byrne]

Like I say I never have that problem. I dont like leg mounts, I like to keep the legs as free as possible. I've never used a harness but it looks ok from HMs pics.

[Hawkmaster]

I must say I also dont like leg mounting, but there are pros and cons:

Good for not loosing but
Bad for getting knocked about
Good for birds with missing deck feathers and you want two transmitters
Bad for clutter around the legs

[LanczSpringer]

Hi Hawkmaster

I am new to the board and i am not sure how i find the pics you talked about.

I do think that the backpack/harness is a much better option for telemetry. what bird did you use it on?

[Claire]

found the link for ya
http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=507&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start =30

[Finnish]

I personall don,t like this harness idea on a hawk.What if your hawk was to chase game through some thick cover and the harness got stuck on some thing you now what its like.What could happen???????

[Hawkmaster]

Impossible to get stuck. I have tried it on a Sparrowhawk and nothing goes into hedges and brush like a spar.

The reason?

Easy they preen the teflon ribbon and sometimes even the telemetry under the feathers, and because it is behind it there is less chance of it too.

[Finnish]

Thank you H M :)

[Claire]

hawkmaster used it on a gyr/saker at hack with no decks, In that situation i thought it was a great idea not sure its nessacerry for a hawk though not for normal flying. I think a tail mount is the best option for general use

[LanczSpringer]

As the pics show the harness is preened and is close to the body!
I would say that for this to get caught up it would have to be in thick low cover brambles etc not stuck high up in a tree!

And again if she was to go and get stuck in thick cover you would hopefully be there pretty quick with the use of telemetry!

I dont know really but thats how i was looking at it!
But I dont fly at the moment and so i would be intrested in what you guys and gals have to say!

[Hawkmaster]

I think there are pros and cons for all methods.

I prefer the Backpack and Tail mount and then leg mount, but really do not fancy neck mounting myself, and will not use it.

[BrianM]

i really like the idea of the leg mount,,,,,,,, but with anklets,rings,bells,flying straps where the hell do you guys put them??,i,will just have to stick with the tail mount

[Hawkmaster]

I REALLY dislike the Leg mount, but sometimes have to use it.

My reasons are that you either have to attach it with a leather bewit to the tarsus or by cable tie to the Aylmerii, either way it sticks out from the body, can always get caught on stuf and does not give as good a signal on the leg when on a kill, not to mention the gear itself get BATTERED to hell.

[BlueHawk]

Hi All,

While we're on the subject of decks missing, my harris just lost her second deck today along with the mount and telemetry after a bit of rough and tumble with Mr. Bunny, so what next? Keep going till she's bald? Leg mount? Implant?(joking)

Its a luksander LF3 type transmitter, so didn't know if anyone had any ingenious ideas for flattening things out or making it less likely to get caught. (she lost the first one jumping through a fence..)

[Falconry Equipment International]

sorry I posted this under another heading by mistake...Funnliy enogh I know the guy in Canada that developed this a few years ago . Whilst i have had my concerns( the teflon ribbon does need to be well fitted) I am going to try this method next season, <BTW> I have neck mounted transdmitters forthe last 8 years without incident

[Hawkmaster]

No probs the otherone was removed. You will not look back with this system as it kicks butt, I did my first one about 5 years ago on a Spar, love it ever since.