Is anyone starting with their first longwing this season?

[Varmint]

I wondered if anyone is planning on starting with their first longwing this coming season?

What preporations are you making for accomodation?

what do you want to catch?

in what sort of style?

and what bird are you planning on getting?

Should be fun planning with a full 4 months in hand!

[KevGem1]

yes i am getting a Young female pere/saker hopefully in June/July i am hoping to train it for pursuit off the fist crow/rook etc. I did buy a gyr/saker male last season but things didn't go to well for me. it was a second year bird that hadn't done anything and i took a chance but it didn't pay of. i found it very hard to get any fitness into him, i flew him every day, and eventually he did start flying the lure pretty well. so i decided to let somebody have him as a lure bird. he smashed a lot of feathers which led me to believe he hadn't been moulted out properly. but the chap i sold him to, said he was just going to moult him out and fly him to the lure next season. I might add he got the bird ( very cheap ) and with it being my first falcon i think i made the best decision all round. I have spent the last couple of months putting together all brand new equipment in the hope new gear nice new (Young) bird things will go a bit better for me. I have also spent the last few months picking up as much information as i can about the training of a pursuit hawk. Although i have a decent amount of experience with hawks, i have virtually no experience with long wings i suppose we all have to start somewhere. so hopefully with the bird being in its first year it will learn at the same time as me, sorry if i waffled on a bit hope it wasn't to boring. cheers KEV. :D

[Gozzhawk]

I got a hankering for a lanneret from a guy up aberdeen way , if things go well he will be stooping vertical after about two months (or years!). lost a saker last year , still have a wee tear in my eye when i think about it! used to not see the point in hybrids till i flew a few pere/sakers some of the flights absolutely astounding, difficult thing , and VARMINT I'm sure you agree, is having the right land to fly on and providing varied quarry fot them. still a sucker for taking a almost fit bird up a big tor and launchin it into a gale

[Afshimo]

I'm hoping to be getting a male gyr/saker.(Name could be either Tyrant, Polo, Peska, Takeoko or Alder!!) We've started work in the garage with mews, and 2 outdoor ones. I'm hoping to be going for pheasant or rabbit, depending on his flight syle. I'm sorting out lots of land for training and hunting.
I'm really looking forward to my first eyass falcon, so he will teach me loads of new things. I'm basically in the same boat as KevGem, cus my first falcon with him being 3 didnt go so well, and how he was delivered to me (smashed blood feathers and shaved wing buts) so this year, my Saker will be up and going, displays for a few weeks, then maybe? partrige. Once august comes, I'll put him down to moult properly, and take up this new gyr/saker and do some good, classic hunting. If the quality of the bird is half like what people say - I'd be chuffed, as I am buying this bird out of my own pocket, and paying for equipment.

Also, if anyone saw Terry Large and his display before, if you saw the big, white gyr/saker there - she's what started me off with gyr/saker mania, so I can thank Terry and the white falcon for that! He let me get her to jump to the fist, and held her for a few seconds, she was fantastic!

[GriffMJ]

Gozzhawk....would that be John Barry by any chance??? for the Lanneret? I am getting a female from him this year :)


Varmint....did u get the pics, by the way.....do you like?

[Gozzhawk]

No, not heard if he been succussful, this guy keeps himself and his birds very private, i would too if i was a breeder

[Afshimo]

Is he off North east falconry centre? I recognise the name lol.

[GriffMJ]

Is that good or bad Hannah?

[Goldie]

Hi Griff, If you haven't dealt with him before don't worry he's an alright guy.

[Hawkmaster]

Hopfully to get on thread, I think the things that need to be addressed here and I hope people can add to these items that I have forgotten about, so first timers may get the best benefits, are:

Preparation before getting the falcon.
Choice Of Bird.
Actually Getting The Bird and What to do to.
Lure Training & Stooping to the Lure.
Feeding On The Fist.
Off The Creance.
Introducing Game under it.
Waiting-On Flights or Pursuit.
Wind Direction While Putting Up Quarry.
One Flight kills or Multiples.
Weight Control.

[Adam Barrett]

But surley not in that order :?

[Hawkmaster]

No you are right, we should start with Waiting-on, lol, no of course not, as I said it was off the top of my head and I am sure I would fortget something.

[Moritz]

Starting to fly my first own falcon this august. Pere or gyr/pere. male propably. Waiting on styl. All prey that I can get. I will propably fly him/her over someones english setters and then later over my GSP. I will propably build a mews like my harris hawks one. They are protable. Or I will keep him/her during the night in an imprint breeding chamber and during the day outside on the lawn. The bird will perhapse be wilded hacked beforhand. Training to the lure and kite.

Moritz

[Hawkmaster]

The bird will perhapse be wilded hacked beforhand.

How is this going to be done? By the breeder or by you?

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hopfully to get on thread, I think the things that need to be addressed here and I hope people can add to these items that I have forgotten about, so first timers may get the best benefits, are:

Preparation before getting the falcon.
Choice Of Bird.
Actually Getting The Bird and What to do to.
Lure Training & Stooping to the Lure.
Feeding On The Fist.
Off The Creance.
Introducing Game under it.
Waiting-On Flights or Pursuit.
Wind Direction While Putting Up Quarry.
One Flight kills or Multiples.
Weight Control.
Hawkmaster
what about preperation of equipment, mews , Vets and getting permission on appropriate land to fly a longwing on.
choosing the species/hybrid mix as too what quarry base you have permission to fly on and other factors including if you are going to game hawk , are you going to use a dog and how reliable is it?
whenhunting not only do you need to take wind direction into account , you need to try and forward guess the many different ways the flight set up may goy and negate any problems due to aas you say wind direction ( & speed) terrain, natural and man made hazzards( I have seen a a tiercel pere in the past lose his wing , going through a 3 line fence when th partridge he was stooping took hiim thro it)
I agree weight control, but even morte what about conditioning/ managing your hawk
J

[Moritz]

The breeder is doing the hacking. It is proper wild hack not just a big aviary. I do not know how he is doing it exactly.

Moritz

[Hawkmaster]

Ok fair enough, that is cool, are you paying extra for it and is it at his risk?

[Varmint]

I think the first topic that any of you should discuss is the type of ground that you have available and the type and amount of quarry?

So who's gonna start? Moritz, you live near Perth in my neck of the woods, and i know how hard it is to get free Game and terrain in this part of the world, so what you gonna fly at and in what sort of area?

[Gaz]

Exactly :!: Get the land & game sorted first..then decide what falcon you could fly....or do it what seems to be the norm..get a Gyr/Saker cos its cheap and preeeeettyyy... :evil:

[Falconry Equipment International]

Hopfully to get on thread, I think the things that need to be addressed here and I hope people can add to these items that I have forgotten about, so first timers may get the best benefits, are:

Preparation before getting the falcon.
Choice Of Bird.
Actually Getting The Bird and What to do to.
Lure Training & Stooping to the Lure.
Feeding On The Fist.
Off The Creance.
Introducing Game under it.
Waiting-On Flights or Pursuit.
Wind Direction While Putting Up Quarry.
One Flight kills or Multiples.
Weight Control.
Hawkmaster
what about preparation of equipment, mews , Vets and getting permission on appropriate land to fly a longwing on.
choosing the species/hybrid mix as too what quarry base you have permission to fly on and other factors including if you are going to game hawk , are you going to use a dog and how reliable is it?
when hunting not only do you need to take wind direction into account , you need to try and forward guess the many different ways the flight set up may and negate any problems due to as you say wind direction ( & speed) terrain, natural and man made hazards( I have seen a a tiercel pere in the past lose his wing , going through a 3 line fence when the partridge he was stooping took him throe it)
I agree weight control, but even more what about conditioning/ managing your hawk
J
Yup as Gaz says:Exactly :!: Get the land & game sorted first..then decide what falcon you could fly....or do it what seems to be the norm..get a Gyr/Saker cos its cheap and preeeeettyyy... :evil:
not to mention the fact that they fly like s@*t and look like a butterfly when their flying as well!(Just my views)
J

[GriffMJ]

I will be entering my Lanner this season, I have the land (loads of it) etc .... I have "english" partridge to go at and plenty of crows. Has anyone got experience in the "field" with Lanners? If so, how did u start getting them onto game?

BTW Screamin Jay .....are u really "near Rutland"?

[Falconry Equipment International]

Yup l hjad a lanner in '72 eventually got it waiting on after an effect, however , you'll find with modern methods, jite training etc tec that it should be a lot easier for you & Yup I'm near Rutland
J

[GriffMJ]

Hi J

What type of game did u go after with her J and was she succesful at larger quarry "corvids"?

Are you on the "Melton" side of Rutland..... Oakham?

[Falconry Equipment International]

Only english partridge and only had a handfull of kills( eventually sold her after 2 seasons to help fund my 1st Haggard German F Gos!) never tried her at corvids as this is quickest way to lose a game hawk.
J

[GriffMJ]

...ok J.... I hear u on the Corvids.....Partridge it is. It will be a learning curve for me and the falcon....but I will be in good company. I go out with a couple of friends...one Gyr/pere Tiercel plus pointer and one Pere Tiercel (takes a pitch at 500ft ft and waits on without flinching until served).

[Hawkmaster]

Has anyone got experience in the "field" with Lanners? If so, how did u start getting them onto game?

Yip but in Africa and the ones I flew here were for display only and hedge bashing. I the RSA they take doves, francolin and even guinea fowls, but then to get them going there we were allowed to used baggies.

[Varmint]

So why a lanner Griff?:?

[Varmint]

My very first large falcon, was like many a Lanner, but it was a passage bird sent into the country as part of a club order.

I thought she was pretty mediochre at the time as she was only ever half hearted with the black stuff, and poor at best when i changed tactics and training to try her as a game hawk.

Since training subsequent Lanners i have grown to realise that she was proberly top of her class compared to all the others.

They do not like damp air, are slow and very, very selective, but a beautiful falcon to look at!

So in a rather longwinded way im asking are you wanting a Lanner cus you think it a good firts falcon, or are you a purist who wants to only fly pure species and think a peregrine beyond your capabilities?

[GriffMJ]

So in a rather longwinded way im asking are you wanting a Lanner cus you think it a good firts falcon, or are you a purist who wants to only fly pure species and think a peregrine beyond your capabilities?

You hit the nail on the head! That whole sentence is exactly my thinking..

[Falconry Equipment International]

My very first large falcon, was like many a Lanner, but it was a passage bird sent into the country as part of a club order.

I thought she was pretty mediochre at the time as she was only ever half hearted with the black stuff, and poor at best when i changed tactics and training to try her as a game hawk.

Since training subsequent Lanners i have grown to realise that she was proberly top of her class compared to all the others.

They do not like damp air, are slow and very, very selective, but a beautiful falcon to look at!
Hi Varmint , really cant fault you there, didn't mention the fact that she was pretty mediocre & was a passage from Kano (Nigeria) but most of this I put down to my inexperience & ineptitude
J

[GriffMJ]

....well I know the rep of the Lanner...and I am not expecting the Pere apptitude....but I am expecting to gain experience to move onto a Pere tiercel eventually and then "my" ultimate..... the falcon.

and yes .... I am a bit of an "unashamed" purist.....but I dont want to upset anybody :) (Hybridisation is not for this thread)

[Jon]

Hi, have just got my blond saker yesterday, looking forward for the challenge, from having hawks to a falcon. never had the bottle to go for it before. He is eating from the fist and is settling down well. good to get all info from people with the know

[Moritz]

Hi Guys,
If the bird gets hacked I will not have to pay extra for it. I will not fly the falcon in scotland, because I am moving to england in august. In scotland I have got the possibilety to fly at fasants, pateidge, ducks and perhapse grouse, in england I do not know jet, that is the reason I have not jet decided on the species of bird. Gyr/saker, gyr/pere or pure pere. The peregrine was reason why I started falcony, so I would like to get one of them as my first falcon. I have got ground for training the bird, so that should not be a problem.
I will know in July what game I will be able to fly the bird at, so I have one more month to deside on the species.

Moritz

[Shaun Byrne]

Whatever you get it will be top quality Moritz!!

[Afshimo]

Hey Fletch,

Whats ure saker called? We have got ure bengal, she's ok lol, just a bit bitey, but settling down. She's in an aviary at the mo, but comes out during day.
My sakret was pretty quick to train, but got upset often till he calmed down and we had a bond. They are very smart, mind you, most falcons are. Just watch the feathers lol - thats all I can say! Got any pics of him?
Hannah

[Moritz]

I know h4wka, and I think I will have to fly birds of the same breeder for the rest of my live because everthing else will be worse quality.

Moritz

[Jon]

Hi Hannah mate good to hear from you. Felt bad passing bengal on as hr him from 2 weeks, Mal told me to stop being soft.
Still going through names for him, after somthing dif. I will get some pictures tomoz and show you what he is like.
Had him tking of the fist today, i thought it would have been alot longer.
Have you got yours flying yet? Am going to try and train him to ground rabbits pheaseant etc.
I have binned work for acouple of days to spend with him.
Really glad you liked bengal he is a good looking bird, just have to watch him trying to get on your shoulder to go to sleep.

[OutFlying]

What are yours aims with this saker, now that the season for pheasants has finished, most hawks/falcons are now down for the moult and you seem to have a new arrival that is being manned up. You may struggle at rabbits soon as the cover will be high.

Outflying

[Coedhirion]

I got a Sakret comin in the next week or so !!!(well share in one) Not intending to hunt obviously, its coming to keep us flying through the summer and ward off the depression that sets in when you think how long it is till next season!! An 04 bird that's never done anything except hooding and a bit of manning then fed up. It will fly to the kite and lure and I will learn a hell of a lot, under watchful eye of my v.experienced friend......God I'm a lucky s...d !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:lol: :lol: :D :D :D :lol: :lol:

[Jon]

good one, let me know how it goes. thats why i went for one. is it a male female etc.
nice to hear from you

[Coedhirion]

errrrrr I got a Sakret comin in the next week if your reffering to that comment Jon ummmmm
sorry, try the glossary on your bird book. Shouldn't be rude but if you are having your own Saker its a good idea to know what's what.
Sakret is a male saker, they come a bit cheap as they are so much smaller than a female. good ones are bred a lot for the Arab market an they like them over 3lb, so males are out realy. But as this isn't for hunting at the moment and our main quarry around here is rabbit, unless we want a very long run up the side of a mountain, or take to following the birds on horse back (too old 4 that now) size isn't important, its quality that counts :wink:

[Coedhirion]

Oh.. an sorry Jon if you weren't refering to my post, then please accept my humble appology :prayer: :prayer:

[Gaz]

What are yours aims with this saker, now that the season for pheasants has finished
:?:

[Jon]

that's OK reply was to someone else! :roll:
Hope you have a good time with him.
Mine is 1,12 at moment think that's big enuf :? . fingers crossed should be getting a red tail soon. So back to something i know alittle about :?
speak soon
Jon

[OutFlying]

What are yours aims with this saker, now that the season for pheasants has finished
:?:
Hi Hannah mate good to hear from you. Felt bad passing bengal on as hr him from 2 weeks, Mal told me to stop being soft.
Still going through names for him, after somthing dif. I will get some pictures tomoz and show you what he is like.
Had him tking of the fist today, i thought it would have been alot longer.
Have you got yours flying yet? Am going to try and train him to ground rabbits pheaseant etc.
I have binned work for acouple of days to spend with him.
Really glad you liked bengal he is a good looking bird, just have to watch him trying to get on your shoulder to go to sleep.

Gaz, that's the question I was asking from Jon's original posting question/quote "am going to try and train him to ground rabbits ? pheasant etc"

[Jon]

looks like one are two have got what i was saying wrong. the bird has not been touched, so yes i am manning him i am in no rush to use him for hunting but would be happy just to have him come to the fist.
I would in the future like him to go for SMALL rabbits etc.
but not in a mad rush, The other reason i don't want a none manned bird in grounds is that i have a responsibility to my partner and children(don't think for one min i would let my children go in) but as they all have birds would not like something to happen to family are bird. :wink:
Any help on training that you can help me with would be a help.
Have started the same way as i would with my hawks.
thanks for replies
jon

[Falconry Equipment International]

One thing I forgot to add to my list of things to think/ work out before getting ayoure 1st falcon is Telemetry.Please buy a RELIABLE set and test it again and again, get freinds to hide the transmitter in all sort s of different locations for you to track it down. Then by the time you fly your falcon free you will stand a much greater chance of keeping it! Also please register it with IBR, well worth £3.33 a year
J

[Jon]

telem is the next Easter present :lol: thanks mate, couple of the boys are lending me a set which is really good of them.
jon

[Falconry Equipment International]

Jon, Practise, Practise, Practise, Practise & Practise AGAIN, keep on doin it after you've got bored with it . It will stand you in good stead when you lose your falcon!
J

[GriffMJ]

and when u get your telemetry make sure u test it and practice with it....get the wife/partner/friend to drive off with the transmitter and try and find her. That kind of practice is fun....and you will also find it well worth doing :) Also make sure u battery test the transmitter every week.

[Jon]

Thanks guys sound advice. Do you find that Falcons learn faster than some birds? :roll:

[OutFlying]

and when u get your telemetry make sure u test it and practice with it....get the wife/partner/friend to drive off with the transmitter and try and find her. That kind of practice is fun....and you will also find it well worth doing :) Also make sure u battery test the transmitter every week.

Check the battery before you fly the bird on each occasion, i.e daily.

[Gozzhawk]

just had to use new system at work today, wee sakret took after rooks an was just terrorising them , cheeky wee sod. Found him ok , but on return found out that the receiver can only be charged from car !!!!! insania! It's a wildlife Tracking Systems, not bad tho as it gets a bangin signal off my marshall transmitter! Use battery for 7 days (normal flights ) then bin it.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Thanks guys sound advice. Do you find that Falcons learn faster than some birds? :roll:
well they're greed gits so on that basis yes, but to what level are ypou talking training. A made gamehawk can take several years
J

[Varmint]

Well folks were all ploughing ahead with this thread again, and it's all over the place!

What i had hoped by strarting this thread was to introduce a few newbies to the art of hunting with longwings, which starts with the correct selection of a bird for the ground and quarry available, but sadly for many it's just a case of what looks the nicest and what can i afford?

With regard to flying a Sakret at Bunnies, good luck! you'd better learn how to imp well!

Griff, i would suggest you look at a Hybrid for your first serious Falcon because a Lanner simply wont cut it mate! purist you may be, but the peri/Sak is a perfect choice for a first falcon, fast, smart and not as gung ho and the peregrine, it will make a fine companion in the field with a fraction of the effort, and will last you several seasons improving with each, the Lanner will achieve nothing of note in this country, everyone has the T shirt!

It is impossible to fly a falcon to even 10% of it's capability if you dont have the correct ground or quarry to suite it's needs, and you will need a liberal amount of both if you are to succeed!

So back to thread,

look to the quarry and land that you have so that you can best achive your goals.

Im talking enough land the get a flight 6 days a week, allowing for the ground and quarry to rest undisturbed for at least 14 days between use.

Lot of ground? lot of game?...... lot of work!

[Jon]

I am not to bothered if bird doesn't catch anything but doing it for the pleasure of flying and seeing the bird out. Saying that like i said would like in future to maybe catch Small rabbits pheasants,but again in no big rush.
I have read and been told that a saker is not a bad starter bird, i have been told by one two people that they are liable to straight line it (good job am a personal trg) .
I know in Jemima Parry-Jones book she writes 'would consider flying the Saker at ground game such as small rabbits or pheasants as they prefer ground game to aerial game'. I am Training the bird the same as would with hawk to go for ground game.
Introducing the dummy bunny but that's a way off, have learned not to rush unless you have to and not cut corners.

[GriffMJ]

Hi Varmint

Thanks for your expert advice..... I have taken it on board and it has sunk in. I am bound to the Lanner now as deposits have been paid etc. I am on the learning curve and I will fly the Lanner in my first serious season and I am sure that all you have said will be proved right. However .... I will be out with "seasoned falconers" and will be learning alongside so to speak .... I assure you I will not suffer frustration from the experience. Once I have this season out of the way I will follow your advice and go for the Pere/saker with a view to really taking it further.

I am considering getting a kite to aid with training and wonder what your advice would be to get her started with it?

[Hawkmaster]

Lanners are naturally hign flyers so the kite may not be needed for that BUT an excellent tools for fittness and finding lost birds.

[OhMyGod]

VARMINT

I was struggling to fing enough black stuff and gulls last season toward the end.

Seemed to me no matter where I went I just couldn't get many good slips, as I could not get close enough to much. I'm sure all those rooks new I was on my way.

My pere/saker may end up as a game hawk next time, but what I have loads of flights at all year is those pesky blackheads!! I have been thinking on a perlin for these this year for my persuit addiction and just using the p/s on weekends for game.

I have never flown a perlin and know nobody who has!! not hunting anyway. WHAT do you think would take them blackheads well apart from those expensive perlins. This is my biggest quarry I think (apart from game)

[Varmint]

Blackheads? i assume you mean Black Headed Gulls OMG?

Sadly, this species is protected by law so no bird will do the job legally although Small eastern European male Gos's would be an ideal predator for the job at close range?.

Kite Training Griff!

Great for fitness as Paul says but of no real use as a mounting aid, the only thing that works for that is daily flights by a motivated bird (prob with Lanner?) at wild game.

Wide flushing will sort out position if game hawking, but the kite will get your bird real fit if crow hawking.

Biggest prob with kite is getting the eyass used to the kite sillouette in the sky, easily solved by hanging a kite or bin bag version over your weathering from day 1 of training.

Can do you a deal on kite and Lines if you want to PM me?

Finally Jon, sorry but i am a bit old fashioned about Longwings on ground game, and i wouldnt do it personally. JPJ makes me laugh with her pearls of wisdom on these matters esp considering her own track record in the hunting field?

Why bother with a half arsed attempt at ground game with a bird that really isnt suited to our climate and terrain when there are perfectly good buteo's, para buteo's and accip's that can deal with the job easier and more effectivley?

Like knocking a nail in with a screwdriver handle! :)

Just my own opinions, no offence meant guys!

[OutFlying]

[quote="Jon"]I am not to bothered if bird doesn't catch anything but doing it for the pleasure of flying and seeing the bird out. Saying that like i said would like in future to maybe catch Small rabbits pheasants,but again in no big rush.

All hawks/falcons should be entered - what happens if you lose it whilst flying it to the lure ?

[Jon]

cheers varmint,thanks for advice, thinking about it i have a red tail coming so would have the experiance of both worlds so ye think i will do what you have said. thanks again any advice would be appreciated.

[Jon]

I agree with you outflying, all birds should be aloud to fly, wether it be at game are not depending on what type of bird you have. I will give all my birds the chance to be entred but its not the main thing for me. Whatever floats your boat as thay say.

[Varmint]

I cant imagine anyone wanting to do anything else but hunt with a longwing? other than if they are a display falconer and need falcons for lure work!

I always thought of this sport as one involving hunting? otherwise why do it?

[Shaun Byrne]

I agree with you outflying, all birds should be aloud to fly, wether it be at game are not depending on what type of bird you have. I will give all my birds the chance to be entred but its not the main thing for me. Whatever floats your boat as thay say.

I think you missed Outflyings point there mate, he said all birds should be entered not just flown.

[Varmint]

he said all birds should be entered not just flown.

That being the case i agree 100% ( i think?, getting old.... :( :shock: )

[OutFlying]

I stated all hawks/falcons should be entered, due to the fact that if you lose them they'll stand a better chance of surviving. I know some people only fly them to the lure (don't agree with it though) but these birds if lost will probably die if not found quickly enough.

[Falconry Equipment International]

What doe the name Bird of Prey mean, perhaps there is a clue there!!!

[Saker-Clive]

Very religious to the dislexic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Falconry Equipment International]

thats me then in case you havent noticed! :rolleyes:

[Jon]

Never knew that Screamin Jay, would like advice not stupid comments.
Dont want to offend anyone as we all are into a hobbie/sport that people need to stick together with especially with all new hunting laws etc. Saying that i will listen and learn from peoples experiance and advice but will not have the p-s- taken.
Outfly, have got more suitable land now with game so will take onboard what you have said so thanks mate.
Sorry if upset the rest of you with my comments there.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Never knew that Screamin Jay, would like advice not stupid comments.
Dont want to offend anyone as we all are into a hobbie/sport that people need to stick together with especially with all new hunting laws etc. Saying that i will listen and learn from peoples experiance and advice but will not have the p-s- taken.
Outfly, have got more suitable land now with game so will take onboard what you have said so thanks mate.
Sorry if upset the rest of you with my comments there.
My 'stupid comments' werent nec pointed at you but really are folk not aware of the most basic of falconry priciples. For gawds sake get a falconry book whom several falconers whom you know and trust( not just on any email list as we can all talk nthe talk, the important thing is getting out there )recomend.
You will also notice if you care to look back at the archives on this thread that I hopefully gave some sound advice. and it is only when a 'stupid' or flippant remark is made that I feel it replying in nthye same vein. I hope the above IS HELPFULL and this has made my position clear

[Jon]

Cheers S/J, glad we are still talking.
:wink:

[Falconry Equipment International]

you welcome :rolleyes:

[Jon]

Just after picking all your brains!!
I have been told that i could carry on now and train bird but part off me wants to put bird down, i know some people carry on flying right through.
any comments on this.
Thanks
The bird does need manning thou.

[Shaun Byrne]

Only you can make that decision mate.

You need to decide exactly what you want to do with the bird ie. hunt, lure etc.

Then you need to have a hard think about what you are going to do when your Red Tail arrives.

Its better to put all your time and effort into training just one bird properly, than to struggle for time and have 2 semi manned unpredictable birds. JMO.

[Jon]

Thanks mate, Farmer has asked for help against crow, so thinking of that, keep him happy. what do you think???
It would be good to use one when other is down, do you think this would work. Love hawks and its new water for me with Falcon, i have had alot of people contradicting each other all are good and experienced falconer's :roll:

[Falconry Equipment International]

Just after picking all your brains!!
I have been told that i could carry on now and train bird but part off me wants to put bird down, i know some people carry on flying right through.
any comments on this.
Thanks
The bird does need manning thou.
Is the hawk feather perfect??, shouldn't take too long tomann down anyway and you should be done before the moult starts proper ( end of may?

[Hawkmaster]

What contridictions you getting?

[Jon]

Hi Hawkmaster, what would you fly a Saker at ?
Some are saying ground game and then some say not!!!
The other thing is once the bird is trained would you let it be free and not tethered?
What do you also think of back fittings for telem?
Sorry about all questions, good to get another view. :idea:

[OutFlying]

Isn't it a sakeret, male. I would say totally unsuitable for ground game in Lancashire - it's nearly always wet and their plumage isn't very weather resistant. If you plan to fly it this summer the ground cover will be to deep for rabbiting. I would say your best chance of success would be corvids.

[Hawkmaster]

what would you fly a Saker at ?
Nothing I find them too ermmm. . . . No really, feather, and rooks at that, but if you want to try ground go for it, but if I wanted to do that, I would use the tool intended for the job, a hawk. Falcons are 95% bird eaters and are adapted for it.

once the bird is trained would you let it be free and not tethered?
Backpacks I love them and have used them since 1999, no bad reports, those that slag them have not used them and do not give a good reason not to.


Personally free, but it depends on space etc, both are OK. The only thing you must keep in mind is if a bird starts to bate or fly at the mews bars it is better to tether it. So look at the specific situation yuou are in, not other folks ones.

What do you also think of back fittings for telem?

[Coedhirion]

As long as the person crow hawking realises exactly how small 'quite a lot of land' becomes when you start hunting feathered quarry. How large is the neighbours farm who wants his crows depleted? and how will the next 2 farmers over feel when they get killed over there :lol:
My Sakret promised real soon now, complete with big bag of feathers to replace the poor soles tail. Glad I've got a real expert to do all that imping!! that should be a good lesson... i could never manage a whole tail & have it come out looking good and stay in place for long enough.
Getting bored without anything to fly now for 8 whole days!!!

[OutFlying]

As long as the person crow hawking realises exactly how small 'quite a lot of land' becomes when you start hunting feathered quarry. How large is the neighbours farm who wants his crows depleted? and how will the next 2 farmers over feel when they get killed over there

Isn't this the same with any longwing or hawk that is going well, soon the boundaries become very near.

[Jon]

Thanks everyone all good info.
Will stick to what i thought a falcon was for not rabbit :D
I have the red for that.
I prefer to have my birds free ( if like was said before i would tie down) it has made me feel better knowing you would do the same.
I like the look of the back pack for telem and will try it out,thanks.
Am lucky for the land i have, as i have 6 farms together,but not got the weather up here like was said.
Cheers hawkmaster put a smile on my face their. :D

[Hawkmaster]

:wink:

[Jon]

Bird is doing really well thanks for all advice, he took his first crow the other day. (thanks for help). :prayer:

[Falcons7]

New to the forum,I will,fingers crossed ,be imprinting 4 falcons,kite training them all,picking 2 for game hawking and the other 2 for crows after the season ends

[M & J Raptors]

New to the forum,I will,fingers crossed ,be imprinting 4 falcons,kite training them all,picking 2 for game hawking and the other 2 for crows after the season ends


Is that Jeff ?

[Ben C]

We have been thinking about getting one to balance out the game that cody gets on the ground. However this is a long way off, maybe two years. In the mean time we will use him to gain access to lots more land.

How much land does a falcon need? We have access to around a 1000 acres, but will get more when we start slope soaring next season. We are slotted in between 2 shoots and have access to a lot of pheasant, partridge, crows, pidgeon, duck, woodcock and other bits and bobs.

However we are not, under any circumstances allowed a dog! So what to do? Is 1000ft out of the question, and are we to fly him from the fist directly at game.

I should also point out we will be attending a further course and I will be deffo joining the shropshire club (even though I moaned about them previously, I am allowed to change me mind, shows intelligence I reckon :lol: ) We are thinking of a hybrid, but we have a lot of reading to do first.

[Ben C]

I mean to say I moaned about clubs, not the shropshire one specifically. lol

[Falcons7]

Will be keeping a few falcons for imprinting.Fly a couple at game ,mainly partridge and ducks and fly another couple at crows after the game hawking season.All will be kite trained and the best 2 the following year will continue untill old enough to breed and if very good after they breed .

[Gos]

im starting with a 05 peregrine

[Falcons7]

sorry about the near double reply,just getting the hang of this and thought the earlier reply hadn't gone through

[Shaun Byrne]

Will be keeping a few falcons for imprinting.Fly a couple at game ,mainly partridge and ducks and fly another couple at crows after the game hawking season.All will be kite trained and the best 2 the following year will continue untill old enough to breed and if very good after they breed .

What type of birds are you using F7?

[Falcons7]

All female peregrines