high jump longwing

[Peregrino555]

I was just wondering about high jump long wing i do it with the harris and the redtail but never tried it with long wing i do not want it to get used to set on the ground

[RabbitHawker]

I have high jumped hybrid falcons, as do a lot of people, the arabs have done it for a long time, it's useful on dull/wet days, or when time is short.

[ScotsFalconer]

wat is a 'high jump'

[RabbitHawker]

A high jump is jumping the bird from a perch or deflated football up to the fist, for the Harris's and falcons I stand on a step ladder to reduce the number of jumps I have to get the bird to do.

[Hodgesargh]

Once you've got the bird jumping easily, you can also try holding your arm out at just below shoulder height (up a ladder if you wish) but then raising it to full stretch upwards just as the bird approaches the fist.

This forces it to put in a couple of strong wingbeats to go the extra distance & helps to develop stronger muscles.

Just don't try doing it too soon or you could overtax the bird.

[Hawkmaster]

Never really bothered, tried to do it here and there but not as a rule. I find flying is the best or doing kite work.

[OutFlying]

HM, one thing I would say about high jumps (other than a fitness issue) is that field response to the glove can be greatly increased.
OF.

[ScotsFalconer]

cool i knew that just wasnt sure wat the term was but its clear now thanks

[Hawkmaster]

field response to the glove can be greatly increased.
True I can see that would do it. I personally never have an issue with that for longwings though, I also do not creep in like a thief to pick them up either. After training that is, they jump up to the fist for their food, if I am just doing lure work.

[HawkNorth]

GOOD ADVICE from Hodgesargh

[Varmint]

DO NOT HIGH JUMP YOUR FALCONS>

For Game Hawks it makes your bird over sensitive to your physical movements and you'll find the bird will stoope and even bind to your arm or shoulder at the slightest chance of food?

By their very nature, Falcons feathers are very brittle, high jumping is an excellent way of breaking both Primary and tail feathers?

Finally, Repeatedly feeding your falcon on Tid Bits in this environment when in condition encourages them to mantle, badly! ?

I high jump Hawks but certainly havent ever needed to with a falcon.

There is something almost Unholy about this activity????

If you havent got the time to fly a falcon or lack the quarry why try half ass ways of compensating? Oh im getting angry now, :roll:

Just becasue you can afford to buy a falcon doesnt mean that you should own one, Im just Glad my mates not reading this thread, he'd have a couple of seriously interesting points to raise on this but then would prob be banned on day one of posting! thats all im gonna say on the matter!

These are my own personal views based on the experiences i have had (which have been many and varied)

[RabbitHawker]

Sorry but I've got to disagree, high jumps have been used as a way to help condition falcons for generations in the East, and have been advocated by (well respected ) falconers such as Nick Fox.
I have high jumped my persuit falcons on days I have been unable to hunt them or exercise them to the lure due to time commitments such as work, or poor weather.
By using high jumps I am able to ensure that my falcons are exercised 7 days a week, which has got to be better than being left on the block for days at a time as many are.
I've also never experienced feather damage as a result of high jumping, maybe it's the way I do it.
I can't comment specifically on game hawks as I've only flown persuit falcons, but I believe the rest hold true.
I would even dare to hazard a guess that it would be a beneficial way of reducing the chances of the merlin/perlin 's tendancy to carry quarry as the glove would be made more attractive.
Anyway, just another point of view to consider.

[OutFlying]

Can't agree on the carrying theory with a merlin.

[Falconry Equipment International]

Unless I am very much mistaken RabbitHawker , you and Varmint are talking x purposes & I have to agree with him as well IMHO, but bear in mind nearly all my experiences in a waiting on /gamehawking flight, as opposed to a pursuit falcon( that whilst i have little experience, I have in fact flown merlins at lark for nearly 10 seasons and prairie at corvids in the 70's) Whilst I respect NF , like him and know him pretty well, I really don't like high jumps for long wings , especially as he advocates inside for several reasons apart from what VArmint has already written( I was amazed when I read his post as he has already covered a lot of ground that I was think of posting). These briefly are: re NF flying hawks indoors & High jumping I feel is unnatural, the pectoral and other muscles would be used in a way that would never be used in normal flight,as they a) have to climb far steeper than natural b) flying in 'dead' air , ie where there is not even the slightest breeze for the falcon to get lift c) as Varmint Has already said motivation ie being rewarded a small amount for serious exertion as opposed to getting its full daily ration for just one exerting flight, eg flying to kite/ stooping to the lure. Also By grounding a hawk for the odd day the following day/ couple of days etc the falcon fies with even greater vigour (in my experience).
I have jumped Accipters & Parabuteos in the past when we have had prolonged bad weather, but why do this to a longwing and run the risk of spoiling your falcon.
The Other problem I have is why do you want a falcon so fit if you are gamehawking , all I want is my falcon to make a high pitch, ie 10 15 mins flying at the most for a motivated gamehawk before calling the flush. I hawk that is too fit will be bale to fly check and take it as opposed to gamehawk flown as I prefer their fitness/ condition levels are more likely to be obedient, ignore check( That's done it I bet my falcons will check all the time next season <VVBG>) & when game is flushed under them stoop with a greater degree of commitment and determination than many other hawks that have been high jumped, etc etc.
May I respectfully suggest that anyone whom has got a falcon and can only guarantee flying it at weekends has the wrong type of BOP for their lifestyle. Eitehr change your life style or you hawk to match each other. These are my views so please don't get irate , they are not set in stone, just what works for me! I hopew this all makes sense
regards
SJ

[Falconry Equipment International]

Can't agree on the carrying theory with a merlin.
RabbitHawker, missed this bit. I have never had any problems with merlins carrying, mind you I have only flown eight( 5 females, 3 Jacks)
ATB
SJ

[Wilfred]

So what about some kind of hig jumping/flying exercises with sparrowhawk? Just some thing i think of now. Advantage might also be that the sparrowhawk gets more acquainted with the glove and falconer. But if i think about it, it would be maybe difficult because of the food and condition. Or giving only small titbits and not at every jump/high flight but just once and a while.

Does anyone ideas about this? So whether or not highjumping as some possible ways of training for sparrowhawk....

[Wilfred]

sorry i forgot this is about longwings highjump...maybe i should move my question then. Or post another threat being able to overcome the egg stage quicker...do not want to be an egg :roll:

[Falconry Equipment International]

Wilfred I think you answered that one for yourself :yawinkle:

[Sokoly]

S.J Were your Merlins Passage bird's or captivity bred?
Since I have no chace of obtaining Captive bred Merlins, I am telling you Merlins and F.Subbuteo as all the falcons, have a great habit of carrying. It's in their nature. How many times have you seen a wild falcon catch its pray and eat it at the same place where it caught it. Never. So if you work with home bred falcons it's easy to teach them not to carry but try those passage birds! :-)

[Falconry Equipment International]

S.J Were your Merlins Passage bird's or captivity bred?
Since I have no chace of obtaining Captive bred Merlins, I am telling you Merlins and F.Subbuteo as all the falcons, have a great habit of carrying. It's in their nature. How many times have you seen a wild falcon catch its pray and eat it at the same place where it caught it. Never. So if you work with home bred falcons it's easy to teach them not to carry but try those passage birds! :-)
Hi sokoly, please excuse me I was discussing this with UK laws and constraints in mind, so therefore as you say nearly all my merlins were captive bred . I did have 2 merlins that were wild taken in the '70s under license of course, but these were also eyasses so the problems you talk about with passagers would not have presented them selves with an eyass of course. I hope this straightens things out & apologies for the confusion
SJ

[Sokoly]

No problems "mate". :-)

[OhMyGod]

you can high jump your birds to a high shelf if you do not want them coming to you for tid bits.

I do not want a longwing that is looking at me for food, or sticky footed either.