Sparrowhawk or not?

[SW3AN29]

i have three years experience flying female red tail hawk and have always wanted to fly a sparrow hawk but i have heard that they are subject to fits and they have problems with feet and other problems and what quarry can you hunt with one and is there a book or site that can help me thanks

[ColdZero]

i'm only speaking from what i've read from books (as usual really) but its generally thought you should fly a gos etc first. However, it depends entirely on how well you flew the RT, and if you have any experience with spars from people near by imo.
You can hunt anything airborn upto the size of a pigeon.

[HawkMan69UK]

cz keep going up from pigeon size fems will take pheasent :lol:

[ColdZero]

i don't mean ones that quarry 'won't like when they are angry' :lol:

but thats impressive...

[Tim Laycock]

The book you require is "A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato.
It is the difinitive work regarding the training and management of the Sparrowhawk.
It is now out of print and as such is ridiculously overpriced(a copy of the second edition sold on Ebay last night for well over £100)
I would do an out of area search at your local library, that way you will be able to lay your hands on it for 60p 8)

If you are worried about Sparrowhawks being fragile then you will probably doo well with one.
The "Spar" is destroyed by the "Master falconer" with a cavalier attitude equally as often as she is by the "Green begginer".

My second bird was a spar and I was only 11 years old.
Keeping a "spar" in good health ain't rocket science, Its just basic good management.

Fly a creche reared sparrowhawk through the autumn, Do it right and it will be the most fun you have ever had with your clothes on!!! :)

[Claire]

The book you require is "A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato.
It is the difinitive work regarding the training and management of the Sparrowhawk.
It is now out of print and as such is ridiculously overpriced(a copy of the second edition sold on Ebay last night for well over £100)

looks like it may have been reprinted in the states, found this on e-bay brand new printed in 2005 although he doesn't ship to the UK (but he might if you ask nicely lol)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4544495478&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
[web:fef4a33bda]http://www.westernsporting.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=1111&Product_C ode=FB1032&Category_Code=A[/web:fef4a33bda]

[Tim Laycock]

:shock:

Still a bit steep though isnt it :lol:

[Claire]

yep lol but its worth keeping an eye on amazon, I've picked up some bargains on there

[KevGem1]

hi there just come across this post a good few years ago when i was you nger i flew a female spar and my friend flew a musket. the female flew at 81/2 ounces and the musket flew at 51/2 ounces. what some people are saying is correct they do need a lot of management i.e weight control and manning. she ownly threw one fit on me the whole time i had her and that was my fault entiley letting her weight drop to much on a very cold day after i had been hunting with her. when you get everything right they are absolutley brilliant i had lots and lots of fun hunting with this bird. the way i could best discribe it is its just like flying a minature gos,and they are just as game. hope this is of some interest to you KEV.

[Ben C]

SW3AN29.
I was sitting outside having a beer during the holidays and in front of our house is a walled in orchard with Ivy all over the walls. Being ever so nice, I scatter some seeds on a regular basis leading to a plethora of small english finches etc living in the bush. Now on this warmish evening I hear a slight thud and a rustle, so I look up in the direction of the noise. Spread eagle (for want of a better expression) on top of the Ivy is a Sparrowhawk. Suddenly it shoots up and stoops round and down into the Ivy for a second time. All hell breaks loose and a blackbird pelts out from underneath and heads off towards the lake across our driveway. The Sparrowhawk once again gets up from a crashed position and takes after AND binds with it a fare distance away. Without doubt this was one of the most spectacular pieces of flying, stooping and perserverence I have ever seen.
If I was good enough I'd certainly consider getting one...AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME and British to boot :lol: :lol:

[KevGem1]

here,here

[Tim Laycock]

Was your sparrowhawk imprint or P/R Kev?

AWESOME and British to boot
The very best of British!!
Too right 8)

[Harris.Hawk]

I have flown several spas and a coopers and in my opinion 3 yrs with a redtail is not enough experience to even keep a spar alive let alone in flying condition. Imprints will give you a better chance, but dont turn into one of these falconers that gain there experience of the backs of dead birds!! Why not try an imprint Gos first or if they are too expensive why not try and find a local falconer already flying a spa and do a season wiatching him, I'm sure he could use an extra beater.

[Tim Laycock]

I dont hold with this.
:? What is to be gained from flying an imprint gos prior to flying a spar?

How does the training, feeding, handling and general management of an imprint Goshawk relate to a Sparrowhawk more than that of a Redtail apart from the two hawks being of the same genus
If you are going down this road, surely it would be better advise flying somthing of comparable size?
A Kestrel, A Merlin perhaps?
I dont hold with this either, but at least I think it would be more applickable :)

[Harris.Hawk]

"I dont hold with this.
What is to be gained from flying an imprint gos prior to flying a spar?

How does the training, feeding, handling and general management of an imprint Goshawk relate to a Sparrowhawk more than that of a Redtail apart from the two hawks being of the same genus
If you are going down this road, surely it would be better advise flying somthing of comparable size?
A Kestrel, A Merlin perhaps?
I dont hold with this either, but at least I think it would be more applickable "

I take your point, but dont you think it would be better to get experience of an accipiter's mentality on a much larger bird that can take the weight mistakes that a novice is going to make.
Surely a novice can realise his mistakes with a gos and get a second chance, with a spa he may not get the chance as too big a mistake and its under the perch! Dont forget you are talking about someone who has only flown a very large broadwing, and he is thinking of going straight to a very small, very sensitive and delicate accipiter, its a big step.
Add to that all the variences that must be taken into account during a flying season, such as cold snaps, topping up on the fist in between flights (I have seen spas go too low while being flown because they were not topped up on the fist regularly), quality of food to be provided, etc
This guy wants to enjoy his falconry not a nightmare, I think there is merit in flying a gos before a spa but I realise the costs involved in this can be prohibiting, thats why I suggested he try to find a falconer already doing the business with one. I flew many goshawks before my first spa, but it was still a shock when I got my first parent reared one, and in my opinion anyone who doesent think they can be a handfull hasn't flown one!!

[Ben C]

Harri.Hawk.....Make it absolutely crystal to me....what level of fluctuation can cause death, and therefore how often would I weigh one.

[KevGem1]

hi there the sparrow hawk i flew was an imprint,believe it or not this was the first bird i had trained and flown.although i did have a falconer to advice me on what to do.i think are great birds to fly if flew properly,on the other hand if you havent got anybody to direct you and you are not confident in the management of one you may be better waiting till you have gained a little bit more experience.i know i went about it in the wrong way but i was lucky and i did have someone to help me.the margins for error are very small in a bird that weighs 81/2 ounces and acts like it is permanentley on speed if you know what i mean.hope this helps KEV.

[RabbitHawker]

The important question to me is how good is your weight control with the RT, can you keep it to within 5g or 1/4oz of the ideal flying weight. If so you may keep a spar going well, but if you can't do this, and have the time for at least twice daily weighings with a musket, give it a miss.

[Tim Laycock]

I take your point, but dont you think it would be better to get experience of an accipiter's mentality on a much larger bird that can take the weight mistakes that a novice is going to make.

Dont get me wrong, I understand what your driving at. But why suggest an imprint Goshawk?
The principles of weight regulation will be similar to the Redtail and the Goshawks highly strung Accipitrine temprament will be distinctly altered by the imprinting process and therefore be of little relation to a spar.
A parent reared Goshawk, Yes I could see the mileage in that but as for an imprint?
You might as well tell the poor chap he needs to fly a Harris prior to attempting a spar. :roll:

[Jack Merlin]

I agree with Blackbird. From what I have heard of imprints, they can be fantastic. But their normal behaviour is distorted and there can be severe problems. Also, imprinting a bird is a delicate science and not for the beginner to attempt with a gos. I've had a face grabber, and it is not a nice experience.

A lot depends on what country and quarry you have available to you. But there is nothing wrong in starting with a small (therefore cheaper) male parent reared gos. Plenty of corvids out there and permission is going to be easier to get. And if you accidentally slip at the occasional partridge or hen pheasant...<vbg>

[OhMyGod]

SW3AN29

I say go for a spar.

If you imprint it make sure you gain loads of knowledge first. But you will have to be quick as time is not on your side.

As far as parent reared spars go, I advise you to use a hood to help to give the bird less bad experiences of you. What do you do for a living? Do you have the time to be around the bird all day? If not how would you imprint it? I would recomend putting your energy and time into manning a parent reared bird instead of imprinting. But there are lots of things to be learnt from imprinted accipiters. they will teach you what to look out for when dealing with parent reared accipiters as imprints have a way of 'talking to you' that will give you invaluble knowledge you can use in the future. However I would still recomend channeling your energy into creating a parent reared, incredibly well manned bomb proof spar.

You can weigh the bird a few times a day to start and I'm sure you will get the hang of 'spar conditioning' before to long without starving the bird as people will try and make you believe. You just have to use your noodle and work out the weight losses in you head by taking into account how stressed or calm, how hard she flew or how little, how much of a kill she ate or how little etc etc. what quality of food and so on. you can weigh the bird after feeding to see if your guestimations are correct and adjust accordingly to start with until you have it pretty sussed. You are not going to be working the scales in the same way as your red. Your red would perform at a certain weight even if it was cropped up the day before, or if it were fasted for 48 hours. the spar will be different, say you flew her at 12 one day and the next day it rains so you don't get out till 2 you will see she is low and know you could have fed a bit more the day before if it forcasted rain in the am. you can not just put it off for a few hours like the red. If you weigh the bird when you put her out and she is a tad high you can wait a little longer until she reaches yarak and pehaps feed a little less and so on. You will just have to fly it as a spar not as a small red. metabolism is what you need to think about. Read up as much as you can, some more sientific accipited related books as well as more traditional ones. Learn about the basics of conditioning as some more experienced books may overlook it a bit expecting you to already know EXACTLY how the spar body utilises food and how it reacts to energy losses and gians.

Get a spar mate what are you waiting for, don't get a gos first either.

[Jastreb]

I was flying musket (he is at my friend now) and now I have female spar. I can only say that they are briliant birds, and you will have lots of game!
BUT-you need to have perfect scale, and must take lots of care about weight during winter time.
My bouth spars are imprint, I don't recomend PR birds, specialy for beginner, I also try one and only can say that you need much more attention about their weight!
I am also flying IMP female gos, and they are only same in their head, but weight is something totaly diferent thing!
BUT YOU WILL NOT KNOW IF YOU DON'T TRY!
And like KevGem says, try to finde someone who is flying spar and ask him to go out hawking with him!
THIS IS MY OPINION, HOPE I HELP!

[Slechtvalk]

Dear Friends,

There is a kind of magic of flying a Sparrowhawk, it is a fairytale that is more difficult than keeping and flying a small Longwing. The only problem is weight management especially with the Muskets (males). I have flown two Spar's in my life, a male and a female and both where very nice birds to work with. These birds where brought in a injured state to me, and where crashed into a window. I have kept both birds for one season, and released them back into the wild. They caught lots of birds, ranging from Bluebird up to Pigeon size. I would never advise somebody to start with a male Spar, but always with a Female. Weightmanagement is the keyfactor, you have to check your birds weight
for a minimum of twice a day. For tips and tricks of training there is only one Bible; a hawk for the bush from J. Mavrogordato. There is a new reprint edition of this book at the moment. You also may send me a E-mail at jpoffers@hotmail.com for more information about this subject. And I am pleased to answer all your questions.

With kind regards,

Robert Remijnse

[Hawkmaster]

Robert, are you selling the book?

[Slechtvalk]

Dear Hawkmaster,

I am sorry but no. Check Coch-Y-Bonddu Books on Google.
They sell this book on regular base, secondhand and reprint edition.

Robert

[Free Has A Bird]

i have three years experience flying female red tail hawk and have always wanted to fly a sparrow hawk but i have heard that they are subject to fits and they have problems with feet and other problems and what quarry can you hunt with one and is there a book or site that can help me thanks

i will try and put this across best i can mate.

if you are asking those questions, particularly the "what can i catch" question, then leave the spars to those with the know how. its has simple has that.

continue flying the red whilst learning all you can about this difficult hawk.

do you even know how to imprint properly???

where in my lovely country do you live?

Ash

[Aplamado Dave]

this thread is from 2005:lol:

[Aplamado Dave]

Hi Ash,

I'm looking for a sparrowhawk that has already been imprinted, we're a television production company, not a falconry association, and we wouldn't dream of attempting to imprint ourselves.

Essentially we would like to film a sequence showing the sparrowhawk doing what it does best; flying and catching prey. If anyone might have a trained sparrowhawk that they would be willing to let us film with for an afternoon in August I'd be very grateful. They would of course handle the bird, and we'd pay for time and expenses.

We're based in London, but the shoot will in in Norfolk.

I know Dave..... worth a try though.

Sparrowhawk owners seem to be pretty few and far between, would anyone be able to advise?
he was refering to the thread starters original question:yawinkle:

[Free Has A Bird]

ive just read the whole thread and after this chaps question, i cant believe he is being incouraged?? to go ahead with a spar by you lot.

the chap may have the knowledge and experience but judging by the opener, im guessing not. at least not for a spar!!

he has flown a female red, all well and good. but the difference in weight management between these birds is massive.
then you have the imprinting side of things?

has ive said, stick with the red and gain what you need. ive imprinted and hunted a female spar, if your close enough, pop round and we will have a chat. that way theres no hiding behind a laptop. ill tell you if your ready or not. if not, then i will help you.

ending this on LEAVE THE SPAR FOR NOW

Ash

this thread is from 2005:lol:

obviously never read the thread that well did i lmfao

still laughing i am

Ash

[Aplamado Dave]

ive just read the whole thread and after this chaps question, i cant believe he is being incouraged?? to go ahead with a spar by you lot.

the chap may have the knowledge and experience but judging by the opener, im guessing not. at least not for a spar!!

he has flown a female red, all well and good. but the difference in weight management between these birds is massive.
then you have the imprinting side of things?

has ive said, stick with the red and gain what you need. ive imprinted and hunted a female spar, if your close enough, pop round and we will have a chat. that way theres no hiding behind a laptop. ill tell you if your ready or not. if not, then i will help you.

ending this on LEAVE THE SPAR FOR NOW

Ash
check the date on the 1st post mate,it was 6 years ago,he maybe ready now:lol:

[Free Has A Bird]

Hi Ash,

I'm looking for a sparrowhawk that has already been imprinted, we're a television production company, not a falconry association, and we wouldn't dream of attempting to imprint ourselves.

Essentially we would like to film a sequence showing the sparrowhawk doing what it does best; flying and catching prey. If anyone might have a trained sparrowhawk that they would be willing to let us film with for an afternoon in August I'd be very grateful. They would of course handle the bird, and we'd pay for time and expenses.

We're based in London, but the shoot will in in Norfolk.

I know Dave..... worth a try though.

Sparrowhawk owners seem to be pretty few and far between, would anyone be able to advise?

hi alex, only person i would mention is musketmad on here. PM him mate and go from there.

Ash

check the date on the 1st post mate,it was 6 years ago,he maybe ready now:lol:


i would imagine he is dai :supz:

cant believe i missed that one. mind you, im trying to watch rugby, speak to the misses and type at the same time. something had to give :rolleyes:

Ash

[FurNfeather]

The book you require is "A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato.
It is the difinitive work regarding the training and management of the Sparrowhawk.
It is now out of print and as such is ridiculously overpriced(a copy of the second edition sold on Ebay last night for well over £100)
I would do an out of area search at your local library, that way you will be able to lay your hands on it for 60p 8)

If you are worried about Sparrowhawks being fragile then you will probably doo well with one.
The "Spar" is destroyed by the "Master falconer" with a cavalier attitude equally as often as she is by the "Green begginer".

My second bird was a spar and I was only 11 years old.
Keeping a "spar" in good health ain't rocket science, Its just basic good management.

Fly a creche reared sparrowhawk through the autumn, Do it right and it will be the most fun you have ever had with your clothes on!!! :)

Good post! ..... beats the norm :)

Atb

Allan

[JanToto]

HI I was in the welsh hawking centre in barry cardiff last monday.I one of the things i talked about was the sparrow hawk.As my friends just had one
(bundle of fluff).they told me that over time they`ve had four.And they all died.
One minute flying around fine and the next just died.They get frightened very easily.And get sudden seizures.They will not get anymore.sorry to tell you this.
you can contact them if you wish.This is what they told me.
kind regards
jantoto

[FurNfeather]

HI I was in the welsh hawking centre in barry cardiff last monday.I one of the things i talked about was the sparrow hawk.As my friends just had one
(bundle of fluff).they told me that over time they`ve had four.And they all died.
One minute flying around fine and the next just died.They get frightened very easily.And get sudden seizures.They will not get anymore.sorry to tell you this.
you can contact them if you wish.This is what they told me.
kind regards
jantoto

Does anybody know if "A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato covers imprint spars PR spars or both?

Atb

Allan

[Aplamado Dave]

Does anybody know if "A Hawk for the Bush" by Jack Mavrogordato covers imprint spars PR spars or both?

Atb

Allan
it covers mainly p/r,there is a very small write up on imprints but only a few pages

[Leo 1]

what sort of wehgit do males fly at as my male is flying free at 9.45oz and been told that big for a male/musket

[AndyHawks]

what sort of wehgit do males fly at as my male is flying free at 9.45oz and been told that big for a male/musket

That's big for a spar never mind a musket!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leo 1]

That's big for a spar never mind a musket!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

lol i woodant have a clue first sparr/musket i have flowen lol

[Aidan]

what sort of wehgit do males fly at as my male is flying free at 9.45oz and been told that big for a male/musket

That isn't a musket mate.. Female spars only fly at that weight if pretty large..

[Leo 1]

That isn't a musket mate.. Female spars only fly at that weight if pretty large..

or he is m8 100% musket

[Shaun Bannister]

thats a female, lets see a pic

[Aidan]

or he is m8 100% musket

I can't see it pal

[Sean D]

or he is m8 100% musket

That is not a Musket or you have some very dodgy scales, get a pic up.

[MusketMad]

Never a male at nine and a half ounces!
What letter on the leg ring mate???

[Shaun Bannister]

get rid of those lead jesses mate! :lol:

[Leo 1]

will take a pic now mut he is defo a musket had confemashon hes just a big fela i think

[Sean D]

will take a pic now mut he is defo a musket had confemashon hes just a big fela i think

I'll have a tenner on a Spar, Muskets are lucky to make 5oz not almost ten

[Shaun Bannister]

confirmation from what chris?

[David Rampling]

lol i woodant have a clue first sparr/musket i have flowen lol

A spar wont last long in the hands of someone who has done so little research.

Chris, surely you checked out rough flying wieghts for spars before you bought one.?

[Leo 1]

Never a male at nine and a half ounces!
What letter on the leg ring mate???

707 male ring m8

confirmation from what chris?

dna test m8

115493

[MusketMad]

707 male ring m8



dna test m8So its a P ring Chris? And not an R?....I really cant see it being a male at that weight chris....Most males ive flown have been inbetween 140g to 160g ...your bird must be knocking around at like 270g mate !

[Shaun Bannister]

have you got one on the fist or from behind or on the scales? you sure your reading them right? that would be the heaviest musket id ever heard of i cant see its tarsus
id have to check but im pretty sure the last female i flew wasnt that heavy

[Leo 1]

So its a P ring Chris? And not an R?....I really cant see it being a male at that weight chris....Most males ive flown have been inbetween 140g to 160g ...your bird must be knocking around at like 270g mate !

im just going buy what the dna test came back as witch cam bk as male unles they can be rong

have you got one on the fist or from behind or on the scales? you sure your reading them right? that would be the heaviest musket id ever heard of i cant see its tarsus
id have to check but im pretty sure the last female i flew wasnt that heavy

i think i have a pic of him from behined

have you got one on the fist or from behind or on the scales? you sure your reading them right? that would be the heaviest musket id ever heard of i cant see its tarsus
id have to check but im pretty sure the last female i flew wasnt that heavy
115500

[Shaun Bannister]

just checked in my old diary a PR i flew at 8.5 ounces an imprint i flew only went at between 240 -260grams
they mustve got it wrong on the DNA sample mate as i just cant see it being a male no way at that weight
hey as long as you paid musket price lucky you !

[Leo 1]

just checked in my old diary a PR i flew at 8.5 ounces an imprint i flew only went at between 240 -260grams
they mustve got it wrong on the DNA sample mate as i just cant see it being a male no way at that weight
hey as long as you paid musket price lucky you !

lol ye im not bother if he is male or femail i imprinted him from 12days old and he has turnd out bloody pirfect verry soshol and verry silant to say its the first time i have imprinted so im more than happy with him/her

[Bullet]

707 male ring m8



dna test m8

115493

jesus chris, what are the jesses-dog leads?

[Warren]

look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helps

[Aidan]

look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helps
Alot of people enjoy flying muskets aswel mate they can tackle quarry too and you get some amazing flights of em, especially on black birds :D

[Sean D]

Chris, I hunted this Musket last season, his top weight was around 140g,
115514

Forgot to add, he was totally silent until he started killing, then the noise came,

[Leo 1]

Chris, I hunted this Musket last season, his top weight was around 140g,
115514

Forgot to add, he was totally silent until he started killing, then the noise came,

god he is nice m8 ye i herd they nose will start ones he his killing he all ready hates me puting my hands near the food wen feeding and will turn his bk to me wen on the glove feeding but as far as i no thats just a tipikl impring but ether way i am doing loads of anti carrying traning exetra but he is coming on nicle just nead to fined his hunting wehgit at min as he dusant seem intrested in any think i kick up at min but we will get ther but as ya no ther isant mutch info on muskets at all well not that i can fined any way the only thin ya fined in books exetra about this is like 3 words no 1 will fly them thats all i keep coming across but i had him flying free with in 3days from first time he feed on fist so carnt be doing to bad and he seems to acsept any think new

Alot of people enjoy flying muskets aswel mate they can tackle quarry too and you get some amazing flights of em, especially on black birds :D

or ye i seen the wild muskets makinging some proper amazing flyets at starlings

jesus chris, what are the jesses-dog leads?

lol ye they are a bit long keep meaning to chandge them

what are peoples thorts on muskets and swing lures not just for ftnas but as a back up recorl as i was thinking of geting him on the lure as a back up recorl if out of site exetra

[AndyHawks]

look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helps
musket,ak,merlin and hobby all great birds to fly and some to hunt. have you ever had a spar or musket. im sure if you kept pushing up the weight it would be gone! you have to be fairly strict with them

[Macavelli]

musket,ak,merlin and hobby all great birds to fly and some to hunt. have you ever had a spar or musket. im sure if you kept pushing up the weight it would be gone! you have to be fairly strict with them

very true andy my ak has to be spot on to hunt very careful weight management anythk over its weight is a waste of time

atb james

[MusketMad]

look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helpsYou dont half talk some old rubbish mate!
Anyone reading this please dont take advice from this bloke ...If your spar has a fat chest with no keel you will lose it !!!
And warren dont start on about putting on muscle ,you will end up making a fool of yourself like you did when you put up that ridiculous post about flying your spar in the woods on top of a pole!

[Macavelli]

You dont half talk some old rubbish mate!
Anyone reading this please dont take advice from this bloke ...If your spar has a fat chest with no keel you will lose it !!!
And warren dont start on about putting on muscle ,you will end up making a fool of yourself like you did when you put up that ridiculous post about flying your spar in the woods on top of a pole!

:lol::lol::lol:

[AndyHawks]

You dont half talk some old rubbish mate!
Anyone reading this please dont take advice from this bloke ...If your spar has a fat chest with no keel you will lose it !!!
And warren dont start on about putting on muscle ,you will end up making a fool of yourself like you did when you put up that ridiculous post about flying your spar in the woods on top of a pole!
lol pole hunting a spar:lol:

[Shaun Bannister]

try a male AK at 86gr warren,the management of the bird is all relevant no matter the species
i know a lot of sparviters dont like using a lure but ive always found a swung and dropped lure invaluable for instant response to get them back if the birds in cover out of sight you just need to practice the pick up and unpicking of talons!

[RedNoseK9]

Please ignore this posty completely !!

The idea of Falcomry is to fly a Hawk and Catch quarry at ITS highest eight hich means the weight the bird will best respond and hunt all quarry not simply the heaviest you can.

Also a Spar with a round chest are you kidding me this ill result in 1 thing and thats a lengthy test of your telemtry skills.

Warren Out of curiosity how much weight do you feel you can put on a Spar from just muscle in a season ?

Wez look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helps

[Leo 1]

i no that flying this sparr/musket is going to be a raily big test of my wehgit manidgmet so far so good but i do have to say so far i have had more truble with a hh/uther birds i have flown than i have with this litle fella but still erly days yet but i am planing on making him to the lure just as a back up plan/ fast recol if neded only thing that worrys me a bit is will he carry wen it come to the main avent sorta speck witch is anuther reson i want to make him to the lure to see if he will try carry be for he dis get a kill

what are peoples thorts on hooding a musket as i have had mixed responses from most people my self i prefer to have all my birds made to the hood as ya never no wen ya nead to hood ya bird pluse i no with sparr's they see thinks a hell off a lot faster than wee do so oveasly see quarry a hell of a lot sooner

[David Rampling]

Your spar is a female Chris, at the weight you have given. Is it entered yet? if not you havnt even started wieght management with it yet. I am afraid it is too late to start hooding it now. Atbi no that flying this sparr/musket is going to be a raily big test of my wehgit manidgmet so far so good but i do have to say so far i have had more truble with a hh/uther birds i have flown than i have with this litle fella but still erly days yet but i am planing on making him to the lure just as a back up plan/ fast recol if neded only thing that worrys me a bit is will he carry wen it come to the main avent sorta speck witch is anuther reson i want to make him to the lure to see if he will try carry be for he dis get a kill

what are peoples thorts on hooding a musket as i have had mixed responses from most people my self i prefer to have all my birds made to the hood as ya never no wen ya nead to hood ya bird pluse i no with sparr's they see thinks a hell off a lot faster than wee do so oveasly see quarry a hell of a lot sooner

[Matty Bird]

look if you want a spar get one don't get a musket to small i don't know why any one would want to fly a bird that small. a spar is as small as i would go. fly an imprint thy fly a lot heaver than a pr and at the end of the day thats what its all about flying your bird at its highest weight i never have a set weight to fly any of my birds as I'm all ways pushing their weight up just keep an eye on here keel and don't let it get sharp a fit spar should have a fat chest well muscled up. weigh at start of session and at the end so you know how much food shes eat cant go wrong then hope this helps

I agree with musketmad for once, he is right you are talking rubbish! I have a musket and for me he is the best bird I've had and great fun. As long as you give a good diet and have good weight management skills then I don't see the problem with owning one. My muskets ideal weight is 142 g, 140 g and he is going for your face and 144 g and he takes over 10 seconds to come.

[MusketMad]

I agree with musketmad for once, he is right you are talking rubbish! I have a musket and for me he is the best bird I've had and great fun. As long as you give a good diet and have good weight management skills then I don't see the problem with owning one. My muskets ideal weight is 142 g, 140 g and he is going for your face and 144 g and he takes over 10 seconds to come.Thats 5 seconds longer than me!

[Leo 1]

lol well he just got his first kill well at least he thort he did lol he just darted off and hit a rosh bush and went all out on it lol

[Aidan]

Thats 5 seconds longer than me!

:box::box:

[Matty Bird]

Thats 5 seconds longer than me!

Empty your pm box nigel

[Aidan]

lol well he just got his first kill well at least he thort he did lol he just darted off and hit a rosh bush and went all out on it lol

you mean 'she' :roll:

[TheFerretMan]

Lol lol.

[RedNoseK9]

Thread cleaned back to topic !!

Wez