longwings at bunnies

[Athene]

Hi again,

I know some of you guys fly sakers and hybrids at bunnies. My question is: what kind of landscape is suitable for that. Can there be any trees, a lot of trees, high weeds, etc? Can this birds hunt in ... well perhaps you have never seen olive grooves... let's say something like appletree grooves.

Photos of the landscape would be warmly welcome.

Thanks,

Enrique

[Athene]

56 people have visited and no answers? what's up? Nobody does it?

[Saker-Clive]

I am at present, just getting my Saker to try at rabbits; this will be a new venture for the both of us but I think it will keep her interested in our flying sessions.
She has recently flown towards some on our last few trips out and they were all out in the open. I have also given her a couple of freshly shot rabbits and she goes for them with great enthusiasm. I am hoping that later today we will get a chance at some and I will let you know how things go if anything happens.
I have always been told that open spaces are the best areas to fly a Saker in but if you fly yours in orchards and it works for the both of you, all you can do is try.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hi there, I hvae not attempted this but I do know of a falconer whom is training a hybred falcon in a waiting on flight at Hare
J

[SakerJack]

I have flown my saker at 12lb jackrabbits here thru trees, orchard etc and although she has not taken one in that setting a smaller rabbit would have been taken in any setting. The saker does far better on larger quarry in an open area where she can repeadetly strike the quarry, this type of flight should no be necassary for rabbits
Sakerjack

[Shaun Byrne]

12lb!!!!!! They should be on the dangerous wild animal list!!!

[Athene]

Thanks a lot, I was quite concerned about maneuverability. I'm sure they can do well in thick bush, not too tall, but trees are more of a barrier.

[WireHairedPointer]

Hello,
I have seen a saker hunt and catch rabbits in an oak wood it was not very thick but it seemed as the bird could handle even thicker cover. So i think a good trained saker should be able to catch rabbits in an olive groove.

[Athene]

Thank you very much, GWP. That has to be something worth seeing.

[RabbitHawker]

I would disagree with that, I think open country is much better to fully appreciate the flying style of longwings on ground quarry.
I have flown 2 hybrids that have taken rabbit, a female peresaker, who was meant to fly rooks and crows, but did take a couple of rabbits, it must have been the saker in her, and a female 1/4 gyr/saker.
She was initially flown at rooks crows, but would go miles, so I decided to try and fly her at quarry that wouldn't go that far. I've taken rabbits, but had some really spectacular flights at hare with repeated stoops, and thew bird throwing up as the hares run through hedges, great to watch, but you wouldn't get this in an olive grove, much better to fly a hh or two here.
Chris

[WireHairedPointer]

of course is open country much better for the huntingstyle of a falcon, but a saker could deal with cover. in all type of landscape the first choise for rabbits is the female gos or a harris.

[SakerJack]

I agree with Rabbithawker. To really appreciate what a falcon can do with ground quarry give them chance in open fields. They will then have the opportunity to strike them repeatedly. The flights are outstanding, as good as you will ever see. This goes for a ferrug as well , fly em in open country, they will then show you what a frogmouth can do. If you want to fly bunnies in cover why not get a bird more suitable.
Sakerjack

[IAmTheWeasel]

SakerJack, Not to change the subject, but my cousin lives just north of you on lake Winnipeg in a place called Little Black river. Ya'll are nuts living in those climates!
Cheers,
Weasel....in sunny warm Texas!