Long Lure Training

[Harris]

Just wondering if anyone uses this method with pursuit falcons to increase fitness, i.e calling a falcon from the fist to a lure being swung at around 1000m away.

[HawkMom]

In the Jacek Strek movie 'Falconry' a fellow trains a gyrfalcon by holding a lure in the fist and riding on a snowmobile. The movie is available from Northwoods or Western Sporting. It is my favorite falconry movie. I know that Joe Atkinson uses a John Deer 'Gator' offroad farm ATV to train his goldens to chase a lure and get them fit.

[Venividevenatio]

Just wondering if anyone uses this method with pursuit falcons to increase fitness, i.e calling a falcon from the fist to a lure being swung at around 1000m away.

Yes, but not for long, and fairly soon after 'off the creance', and by building up the distance in 2 or 3 stages. If available, I also use a dead crow/rook. Full ration is always given.
Not only does it enforce the lure and build stamina etc, it encourages the young hawk to look for quarry at distance.
If the (at about 1000yds) hawk leaves the assistants glove instantly when the hood is removed, that is when I stop the excercise and show quarry instead.

[Crow Buster]

Long distance luring is a must for pursuit falcons. It teach's the falcon to look for you from afar. If the falcon misses and it has gone some distance its a real asset to have a bird which will recall from long distances. All my training flights except initial lure training are carried out with the bird being recalled between 300-500 metres. I can't do further as my training ground does not allow. In the field they may be recalled much further than this after an unsuccessfull flight. Like all lure training you have to vary it with the amount of stoops at the end or the falcon will get peed off if you make it to difficult. Also build up the distance at the falcons pace. I do not regard long luring as an aid to building stamina, straight lining to a fit falcon is easy stuff, while it certainly helps nothing builds stamina better than stooping a falcon to the lure.

[Little Joe]

Just wondering if anyone uses this method with pursuit falcons to increase fitness, i.e calling a falcon from the fist to a lure being swung at around 1000m away.

This method is commonly used by Arab falconers. Some will also do a good number of passes after the initial sprint. In addition they will also use kite training, RC planes and pigeon baggies. Many believe a variety of training methods gets a falcon the fittest - cross-training so to speak. And I have to agree, they have a good point - having seen the level of fitness of their birds.