Permanent Squirrel Chaps

[Falconer]

Has anybody got some,
or now where to get them from.
Has anybody used them and how do you rate them over the non permanent ones.

[Finnish]

Ask the Weasel he will help you :D

[IAmTheWeasel]

I realy see no problem with useing the permanant Chaps on a captive bred bird. We in the US generally use the removable ones incase we lose the bird in the field on a passage bird. We want the bird to be able to remove them over a short time so it doesn't spend the rest of it's life flying around with them.. I have seen the design for the permanant ones and I beleive that a falconer here in Texas uses them. I will see about getting some pictures up.

[IAmTheWeasel]

Well, I take that back, I though this guy had permanent chaps designed, but they are a snap on design.
http://squirrelhawking.homestead.com/home.html
Go to the link that says chaps.

[Finnish]

Well done Noel :)

[Falconer]

Thanks m8
i have seen non perm on e-bay £20
but thaught it might be better to fit perm as you never know when a tree rat will pop up :wink:

[Mary Quite Contrary]

Thanks m8
i have seen non perm on e-bay £20
but thaught it might be better to fit perm as you never know when a tree rat will pop up :wink:


Have a look on the westweald site

[GriffMJ]

Lo All

If some one has a pattern they would like send me... I can make them :) I have small studs as well for extra armour. I have a pattern but not as robust as the ones in the link above.

[IAmTheWeasel]

The non permanent ones stay on the bird year round as they are not designed to come off each time you finish hunting. The jesses hold the chaps from comeing off. My bird that I have ....until tommorrow.....has never taken them off herself.

[Falconer]

The non permanent ones stay on the bird year round as they are not designed to come off each time you finish hunting. The jesses hold the chaps from comeing off. My bird that I have ....until tommorrow.....has never taken them off herself.

Have you encounterd any probs with them in any way??.

[Chris S]

try westweald he has them use them on the redtail

[Falconer]

Thanks guys but the wesweald ones offer no protection of the toes :shock:

[IAmTheWeasel]

The non permanent ones stay on the bird year round as they are not designed to come off each time you finish hunting. The jesses hold the chaps from comeing off. My bird that I have ....until tommorrow.....has never taken them off herself.

Have you encounterd any probs with them in any way??.
No, not really. They are a bit stiff when first put on the bird, but they will break in rather quickly.

[Falconer]

So they don't hinder the bird when footing its quarry :wink:

[IAmTheWeasel]

It can if the quarry is in dense briars or brush. In that case the chaps can stop the foot from pentrating to the quarry

[Falconer]

Are there any harris hawkers on site using chaps,
and are they a valued piece of kit

[Adam Barrett]

I put chaps on my harris when flying just because she has a bad habbit of finding tree rats in the worst possiable places she has took several this season and non were planned. During the last week of the season i forgot to put them on her and she decided to take another she must of fallen 50 foot with the squirell in foot and slammed it to the deck-surley it would be dead :?

The little rats dont die that easy and when i finaly got to her it had bitten her just above the ankle andthere was blood everywhere :twisted:

Luckly it turned out to be not as bad as i thought and wasnt very deep but i have head of harris' loosing toes ect from tree rats.

[Kevin Massey]

http://squirrelhawking.homestead.com/home.html
Go to the link that says chaps.

hi have you seen the dvd shown on that site?............ i got it a while back.. not a bad watch...

kev

[IAmTheWeasel]

Did you mean"Not a bad watch"?....I saw it and it is basicly a ton of squirrels getting nailed one after another by Manny's bird. I have hunted with him on several occations and he has a great bird right now..

[Kevin Massey]

thats what i said..........lol........i edited it straight away

kev

[Kevin Massey]

tree top stuff !!!

kev

[Kevin Massey]

also on the dvd "the sport and art of modern falconry".........i see some of your fellow american harris hawkers , wrap padded tape around the toes and feet of there harrises for hunting squirrels....

kev

[IAmTheWeasel]

Wow....I have never heard of that!

[Kevin Massey]

lol i was expecting you to come back and tell me what the stuff is called?

kev

[ColdZero]

yeah i saw a guy doing that on a video maxi, he had 4 hawks to do, sucks to be him. I think chaps are necessary when you know there are squirrels in the area (so basically everywhere....). Permanent chaps sound like weird idea though, must be annoying to wear. Also, wouldn't they get ruined pretty quick? Having to cast up the hawk to change them all the time would get old very soon.

[Falconer]

I think chaps are necessary when you know there are squirrels in the area (so basically everywhere....). Permanent chaps sound like weird idea though, must be annoying to wear. Also, wouldn't they get ruined pretty quick? Having to cast up the hawk to change them all the time would get old very soon.
Wouldn't need casting half as much as having to fit them every day thus less stress to the hawk and less hassle for the falconer
FOOD FOR THOUGHT :wink:

[ColdZero]

you have to cast up a hawk to fit squirrel chaps? :shock: i thought they clipped on, like changing jesses in a way

[Falconer]

you have to cast up a hawk to fit squirrel chaps? :shock: i thought they clipped on, like changing jesses in a way
Yes unless your hawk will sit there whilst you are messing about around its feet for any length of time.
highly unlikely it will :wink:

[ColdZero]

mine did! it would sit there while i fitted permanent hunting straps etc. It might be down to manning, but it was a great bird anyway. She fell asleep the FIRST day i had her on the fist, and fed, she was still an aggessive ****** though

[Coedhirion]

I just made up some a bit like the ones on american link, (held together with flyin jess) they have studs to attract the little rats and a liner of thinner kanga that fans out over the toes. Gather it is a well used design by some one, (not sure who) I am ashamed to say I coppied it, but with none available to buy it seemed only option. The Harris have finished for season and only a Gos flying, so I wont know if they work as good as they look til next year. Did try one on & they look like they fit real well, but will require keeping well oiled

[Falconer]

I just made up some a bit like the ones on american link, (held together with flyin jess) they have studs to attract the little rats and a liner of thinner kanga that fans out over the toes. Gather it is a well used design by some one, (not sure who) I am ashamed to say I coppied it, but with none available to buy it seemed only option. The Harris have finished for season and only a Gos flying, so I wont know if they work as good as they look til next year. Did try one on & they look like they fit real well, but will require keeping well oiled
Great can ya get a pic up :?:

[Falconer]

Anyway before the thread was interrupted
can we get some pic's up of those chaps Coedhirion
:wink:

[Coedhirion]

spose, but as i say i nicked the design an the nice man who made the originals took ages 2 work it out, asked him if i could share but he wasnt keen, any way hoping he dosnt read this cos i'm not after making em 4 profit, or any one else, or even passin design off as mine...here goes
These are his not mine cos i havnt put the studs in mine yet

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

I will design a pair of squirel chaps:

My idea is to make removable chaps that can be put on with little fuss, they will go over existing Aylmeri and will be fixed in place by small cable ties, these will thread thru 4 small eyelets on each of the chaps. The inner will be Kangaroo with an outer of thicker Buffalo Calf.

If any one wants to give me some more input into the design....then feel free. I will be looking at photos on the net of examples and will take the best design features off them....watch this space :)

[Kevin Massey]

hi,

the link to the squirrel hawking site has som paterns on there.....you may be able to adapt them a little?

just a thought
kev

[Falconer]

Hi All

I will design a pair of squirel chaps:

My idea is to make removable chaps that can be put on with little fuss, they will go over existing Aylmeri and will be fixed in place by small cable ties, these will thread thru 4 small eyelets on each of the chaps. The inner will be Kangaroo with an outer of thicker Buffalo Calf.

If any one wants to give me some more input into the design....then feel free. I will be looking at photos on the net of examples and will take the best design features off them....watch this space :)
Go for it m8
can't wait for this :lol:

p.s have ya seen the ones on e-bay with all the shiny studs on
to attract the tree rat to bite there and not the toes.

[Falconer]

hi,

the link to the squirrel hawking site has som paterns on there.....you may be able to adapt them a little?

just a thought
kev
To be honest kev i think the ones on e-bay look better m8 :wink:

[Shaun Byrne]

I posted a pic of some chaps my mate makes, similar to the ones above and are removable. I'll see if I can remember where iit was posted.

[Coedhirion]

these are the ones I made up from the design I posted earlier, I havnt had time to go and buy studs yet. The ones I have are a bit small, but I'm miles from no where around here!!! Want brass ones, they do some real pretty star shaped, think meant for dog collars

[Finnish]

Very nice how long does it take to make them????

[Coedhirion]

ever so quick once you have a pattern that fits your bird...longest time is waiting for the glue to dry, about 2 hours plus the drying time

[Falconer]

these are the ones I made up from the design I posted earlier, I havnt had time to go and buy studs yet. The ones I have are a bit small, but I'm miles from no where around here!!! Want brass ones, they do some real pretty star shaped, think meant for dog collars


Look quiet smart m8
have they got a slit so one side passes through the other and held together via the Jesse's,as this seems to be the most used pattern ??

[Falconer]

I posted a pic of some chaps my mate makes, similar to the ones above and are removable. I'll see if I can remember where iit was posted.

YA found them yet Shaun :wink:

[Coedhirion]

Yes they have a slit and held with flying jess!!! 2 reasons, a) easier to sort out if the seperate liner moves, b) you can take them off 2 clean and oil or repair if required. Did think of making them permanent, but think that may be a problem. the only disadvantage is if you use bullet jess it is real hard to line up eyelets unless you use eyelets one size bigger, then you could have the problem of bullet jess coming out. the liner is to protect the leg from the fixings on studs as well as extra thickness against the evil teeth. Would be real hard to get good fit with one piece of real thick leather and still give some toe cover

[Falconer]

Yes they have a slit and held with flying jess!!! 2 reasons, a) easier to sort out if the seperate liner moves, b) you can take them off 2 clean and oil or repair if required. Did think of making them permanent, but think that may be a problem. the only disadvantage is if you use bullet jess it is real hard to line up eyelets unless you use eyelets one size bigger, then you could have the problem of bullet jess coming out. the liner is to protect the leg from the fixings on studs as well as extra thickness against the evil teeth. Would be real hard to get good fit with one piece of real thick leather and still give some toe cover

See what ya mean when ya put it like that.
just thought perm ones would be better in the sense that i wouldn't have to keep playing around her feet,witch some birds don't like.

Also i will use bullet Jesse's ( just bought some ).
Read somewhere tho ya not advised to tether the birds down with them anybody know why??.

[IAmTheWeasel]

Here are a few pictures of some well worn chaps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0047_IMG_2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0049_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0050_IMG.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0046_IMG_2.jpg

And here is a pattern for them. This is the new pattern and improved pattern.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0051_IMG_2.jpg

I released my bird today right after work as you can see by my attire. Here is a picture of the moment she was released.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v699/Iamtheweasel/Equiupment/100-0042_IMG.jpg

[Falconer]

Yeah ill say there worn :lol:

Why do you guys release them are you not allowed to keep them
to me it would be like loosing an arm or leg :oops:

[IAmTheWeasel]

Just wanted to try a different bird next season. They are taken from the wild, so I feel that it is only right to put them back there. :D

[Shaun Byrne]

Look at the weasel all done up like a dogs dinner!! Where's the cowboy hat? lmao!!
What you going for next season Noel, another FRT? Or is that a silly question?

[IAmTheWeasel]

The Stetson is on the dashboard of the truck.....ryou can see it in the background :lol: ....as for a next bird....First I am trapping a tiercel Harris and then I plan to trap another RT later in the season. I have tons of small birds around my area so I want to hawk them with a Harris or a Coops.

[Falconer]

Just wanted to try a different bird next season. They are taken from the wild, so I feel that it is only right to put them back there. :D

I know ya trap em but surly it hurts to let em go m8 :cry:
end of the day ya had a whole season with em.

[ColdZero]

i always wondered why so many people let them go, some release the best hunting hawks, its crazy. I have seen a video of them trapping, and one hawk was so tame, i only just realsied this is probably because its been caught before.

[Falconer]

i always wondered why so many people let them go, some release the best hunting hawks, its crazy. I have seen a video of them trapping, and one hawk was so tame, i only just realsied this is probably because its been caught before.

Yes but as ya said m8 some of the best hawks are released WHY ??

[IAmTheWeasel]

Well, It is an ethical question in my eyes. It is a wild bird and we like to use them for a short period and then try the next one down the line. It's a bit of conservation as well as fun for us to do this. About 80% of wild RT's die in the wild in the first year due to starvation, electrocution, car hits and gunshots. We are required to take one less than a year of age when we trap. With this, we then fly it for a few seasons and the bird becomes much more proficient at catching game with new techniques and is also sexually mature. We can then release it and know that it will have a better chance in the wild at survival and reproducing

[Falconer]

o.k now i understand.

Anyway will you be fitting chaps to ya Harris,
when you trap it :?:
i think you said you was after one this year.
Also do you have to pay to trap birds :?:

[Coedhirion]

Faconer wrote Also i will use bullet Jesse's ( just bought some ).
Read somewhere tho ya not advised to tether the birds down with them anybody know why??.
Not sure but I know some people have had birds get loose with them. Mine fit the eyelets real tight and have a piece that slides up the cord against eyeley on other side (dosnt stay there very well) The fit is so tight I nearly cut the damn things off the first time i used them, but now i got used to them I find them real good for quick use, say out hunting or putting bird out for an hour. Rest of the time I use ordinary, they dont tangle up as much as nylon cord on bullets. I think the problems come if the eyelets are too big for bulley an the bird starts playing with them.... Any one know better

[IAmTheWeasel]

o.k now i understand.

Anyway will you be fitting chaps to ya Harris,
when you trap it :?:
i think you said you was after one this year.
Also do you have to pay to trap birds :?:
No chaps on this one as I will be hunting small birds mainly with the tiercel harris. We don't have to pay to trap a bird as long as we do it in our own state. With this we are quite fortunate to have harris's all over the place just south of me. Folks up north that want to trap a bird, have to pay a trapping fee of $360 to come to Texas to trap. This is done so every falconer in the country doesn't suddenly decide to come down and trap a wild harris. They can buy one cheaper. A good friend from Kentucky came down last season to trap a harris and it cost him around $600 with gas, lodging and permits.....A CB harris is $400.

[Bubo]

i thought it was pretty sad to trap a wild bird but after reading your post weasel you make it sound very logical.
bubo

[Falconer]

Faconer wrote Also i will use bullet Jesse's ( just bought some ).
Read somewhere tho ya not advised to tether the birds down with them anybody know why??.
Not sure but I know some people have had birds get loose with them. Mine fit the eyelets real tight and have a piece that slides up the cord against eyeley on other side (dosnt stay there very well) The fit is so tight I nearly cut the damn things off the first time i used them, but now i got used to them I find them real good for quick use, say out hunting or putting bird out for an hour. Rest of the time I use ordinary, they dont tangle up as much as nylon cord on bullets. I think the problems come if the eyelets are too big for bulley an the bird starts playing with them.... Any one know better

Thanks for reply m8
I won't fit bullet Jesse's anyway till she is fully trained.
Then hopefully she won't want to bother with them as she will be used to being tethered ( HOPE SO ). :wink:

[Falconer]

o.k now i understand.

Anyway will you be fitting chaps to ya Harris,
when you trap it :?:
i think you said you was after one this year.
Also do you have to pay to trap birds :?:
No chaps on this one as I will be hunting small birds mainly with the tiercel harris. We don't have to pay to trap a bird as long as we do it in our own state. With this we are quite fortunate to have harris's all over the place just south of me. Folks up north that want to trap a bird, have to pay a trapping fee of $360 to come to Texas to trap. This is done so every falconer in the country doesn't suddenly decide to come down and trap a wild harris. They can buy one cheaper. A good friend from Kentucky came down last season to trap a harris and it cost him around $600 with gas, lodging and permits.....A CB harris is $400.

Yeah, but at least you can get rid of a bad bird and trap another :lol: unfortunately we cant.
With harrises costing around £400 could prove costly :cry:
I envy you for that reason.
Anyway on a lighter note wish you all the best with ya Harris m8 :wink:
Have you flown one before :?:

[IAmTheWeasel]

Well, It still costs me as I have to drive out to the areas that have the birds. It can sometimes take several trips to trap one too. Gas and lodging add up quickly. The reason most do it is for the fun of trapping to be honest. This will be my first harris. I have flown three RT's so far and I want to fly a harris on little dicky birds as well as ducks and bunnies....Should be fun as many of the falconers around here have harris's and they get together and fly them in casts all the time.....