BULLET

[Bullet_Jesses]

8) A number of years ago I had a tiercel gyr/peregrine.He was about 6 yrs old when I got him. My buddy at the time, couldn’t get him to stop going and just landing on his truck. I offered to take him off his hands and began his retraining. By simply using a pole lure (approx 20ft long) I would place him (Bullet) hooded on a block perch in the middle of a field. I would then un-hood him and hold the pole vertically above him. When he looked straight up and saw the dead quail, he roused then took off, for about 60 ft before returning having climbed sufficiently to grab the dead quail. I continued this for a few days substituting a garnished lure for the quail. Within a week he was taking off from the fist, flying out further and returning overhead (dispensed with the pole).I would then just throw down the lure and he would flutter down. Over the next couple of weeks this bird went from sitting 6ft above ground to over 2000ft (who said you can’t teach an old hawk new tricks?).I never once used pigeons nor a kite /balloon, but was however fortunate enough to have a hillside adjacent to the field where I flew him.The hillside was frequented by model glider enthusiasts so everyday after work (around 4-00pm), I would take him there just in time to catch the last thermals.By just using the lure at the right time? you can get your bird to do almost anything. I then had him flying out about a mile or so and by simply waving the glove, he would come straight back overhead (1500ft plus) waiting for his meal. He turned out to be a great duck hawk. One flight had him tail chase, following a 1500 ft stoop, that ended up 1/2mile away in some trees with him holding the mallard by head .What a flight!!!!!
Where I live here in San Diego there is a marine air station. Marine helicopters travel to and from Los Angeles at approx 4500ft above the freeway (close to where I flew him).I remember on one occasion he got so high that he was level with the choppers. I lost him once, about 6 miles from where I trained him. A week or so later I recovered him soaring high above his favourite hill. He came straight to the lure. I ended up losing Bullet for good after a couple of years, to asper. Anything with Gyr is very susceptible here in southern California. He was a fantastic bird and sadly missed.
Ps If any of you get a chance? Read Bruce Haaks book on the Prairie falcon, it has a great chapter on getting your bird to go up!