can you train hawks to take squirrel

[KestrelFan76]

i have heard of peoplet aking squirells with hawks and im quite ionterested in how you would train them to do this and what can a squirel do to a hawk if it gets narky about the big bird trying to kill it scratch it bite it what help here please

[Shaun Byrne]

I think there's already a thread on this somewhere mate. If not, Iamtheweasel is the best man to be talking to!

[Finnish]

If you speak to the weasel he will point you in the right direction.He is a very good squirrel hawker. :D

[IAmTheWeasel]

Well, My birds are good at it.....I'm not.....I smoke and therfore end up coughing up half a lung trying to keep up with the bird.......By the way, I caught another tree rat yesterday....Gonna try again today!
Now, as for trying to get a hawk on squirrels.....first off, depends on what species of hawk and what species of squirrel.....In England I do beleive ya'll have the speedy grey squirrel. These little *******s make a fantastic flight as they are very fast throught the trees and give the squirrel one heck of a workout. My preference for hawks is the tried and trued female red. They have the large toes, heavy weight and gripping strength for squirrels.....plus they heal quite well from the bites as opposed to the Harris's which need much more care on the wounds(from what I hear).Prior to hunting the bird on squirrels, it is a good idea to let her/him feed up of a few so she at least knows what squirrel is. Now, to get a hawk(of your choise) onto squirrels, the first way to try it is to simply have the bird sharp set, go to a squirrely area and toss the bird into the tree's. I will then simply shake things up a bit and get a tree rat to move.....The bird should at least show some interest in a running squirrel. If not, then it might help to use a dead squirrel tied to a string over a tree limb. I try to make it look like the squirrel is on the side of the tree. Let the bird catch this,feed her up and them try her in the woods agin when back at weight. Now keep in mind, I have not trained a captive bred bird, so I don't know how much more difficult or easy that would be. All I have trained are passage birds and they have had little problem disinguishing squirrels as a source of food. Confidence is a big issue at times as a great majority of wild birds won't hunt squirrels in their natural surroundings as I beleive they see them as too much wasted effort to catch and subdue. I have seen them taken several times by wild birds, but this is mainly because the squirrel exposed itself to an easy attack...ie: road crossing, out in a field...... Rats from a pole seem to be a more fitting food source for them as it does comprise a large portion of their diet. Not sure if I answered your question or not, as I have a tendancy to drift a bit...... :roll:

[Shaun Byrne]

Ever thought of writing a book Weasel lol!!!

Kestrelfan, if you ever get the chance to buy one of Gary Brewers videos, do so, then you'll see how exciting Squirrel Hawking can be!!
Mind you they have the Fox Squirrel out there and I hear they carry flick knives and wear body armour!!! Or is that the Falconers?? lol!!

[IAmTheWeasel]

About the body armor.......Both!
Gary still has some of his books left too....They are worth the read if you are going to squirrel hawk.

[Bird_Dog]

Hey IATW,

I wonder what squirrel species lives in UK? You should go on a quest to hawk every known species of squirrel in the world. I wish you'd begin with the the ones that live in my pecan tree. Say hi to the crew for me.

-- BIRD_DOG

[Gaz]

Greys and Reds dude :mrgreen:

[IAmTheWeasel]

hehehhe....greys....That's the Americans gift to ya'll for bringing over all of those friggin Norway rats we have here....and the saprrows.......and the starlings...... :roll:
Bird dog....are ya going to the skytrials for the THA?

[Bird_Dog]

No, I'm going to Monatana to grouse hawk for a week. I'm giving up my peregrine to the breeder and I don't want to ship'em. Driving up there will give me chance to hunt sharp-tailed and sage grouse. He also has huns and pheasants. Otherwise I'd go... I'm sure the pigeons are glad that I'm not able to make it, tho. I pulled my HH out of the mew last week and he's about ready to start hawking once his weight is down a little more. Let's get together soon.

-- BIRD_DOG

[IAmTheWeasel]

Are you hunting your Harris through the summer?
We are getting a squirrel hawking party together for tommorrow if your interested. We will be going to River legacy park in Arlington or Gateway park in Ft. Worth if your interested......

[Shaun Byrne]

Whats it like for getting hunting permission over there Weasel? Are there places you can go that are open to all at any time?

[Wilded]

95% of all land in Texas is private. That being said if you hook up with some local falconers and hawkers I am sure they will take you to some of their spots while you are here. I usually take guests to my very best spots so I can show off my bird. The western USA has a lot of public land where you can hunt.