Hunting

[CheekyCharlie]

Hi All

I have a european eagle owl of 9 weeks and am thinking of trying to teach her to hunt but my boyfriends main concern is that it would not only be rabbit she would go for. He is extremely worried she could take a shining to someones dog, and decided that it looked a little too tasty to resist.

Can anyone tell me how realistic this is, and if I should be worried. Also could people let me know if they have insurance and if it covers liability?

Thanks
Emma

[BrianM]

hi emma , i think your boyfriend may have a point a wee yorkie or other terrier dosent look too disimilar to a rabbit,, whither it would be able to dispatch one is another matter,,,,, but as long as your flying ground isnt over run with dog walkers it shouldnt be a major problem.... getting yourEEO to hunt is another matter,,,,,,

[Saker-Clive]

Mainly, you should be flying your bird on Private land with written permission; if then, someone is walking a little dog that for what ever reason your EO decides it wants to eat (it shouldn't because you wouldn't have trained it dog!!) the pooch at least you have the gratification knowing that you are permitted to be there :lol:
On the insurance line, I personally use BASC but there are many others, Countryside Alliance, NFU etc. it is all down to preference.
hope this helps, some of the others will also chip in.................

[Saker-Clive]

European eagle owls have the power to kill a small deer; I been told by several centre display persons, that they have the power to crush a tennis ball with their feet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BrianM]

a deer maybe, but i was thinking more along the line of a dog biteing back

[HawkMan]

Hi All

I have a european eagle owl of 9 weeks and am thinking of trying to teach her to hunt but my boyfriends main concern is that it would not only be rabbit she would go for. He is extremely worried she could take a shining to someones dog, and decided that it looked a little too tasty to resist.

Can anyone tell me how realistic this is, and if I should be worried. Also could people let me know if they have insurance and if it covers liability?

Thanks
Emma
Emma i reckon if you take it on the local park it may take a small dog lol,if your going to hunt get some good woods in the winter months id say m8 .
As for insurance ive got none m8 ,as i only hunt on land that a farmer has gave me .
All the best with your corgi hunting ,lol
Johnny 8)

[GDN]

Emma I have a Turkmanian Eagle Owl who has taken rabbit. I never trained him to hunt. He saw a rabbit with mixy and went for it 1 day since then he has gone for most things - fur and feather.

As for dogs. He has certainly eyed up a few but i have always seen them before he has spotted them. He has even baited at them. He is 3lb so not that big but he has shown a unhealthy interest in a spaniel before so he is prepared to go for things quite a bit bigger than him.

Your big problem will be trying to get him off a kill. Once an EO has a hold of something they don't want to let go.

Good luck

[Skeld]

Hi Emma,
You should consider insurance, I have my birds insured with E&L. Depending on the policy you chose it covers public liability, your mews, equipment and if your bird goes AWOL. With the "right to roam" ramblers everywhere these days no place is safe
Dave

[CheekyCharlie]

Hi

I wasn't planning on flying in a public place, thats just asking for trouble with an owl that has a 6 foot wing span, who is currently attacking anything on the floor she fancies (socks, shoes, newspapers, towels).

I have permission to fly on a football pitch, which will be good for when I am training (thanks for the idea Rob).

There is a lot of farmland near to me so I am in the process of finding out who it belows to. I know one place which is wonderful for pheasant (my parents dogs have caught a few recently) but you get quite a few dog walkers along the paths, so thats me out unless I go very early morning. Ok for Chris with his Harris though.

Do these insurance companies have websites? If not does anyone have some contact numbers?

Thanks
Emma

[Saker-Clive]

http://www.eandl.co.uk/bird-insurance.htm

http://www.basc.org.uk/
BASC is mainly for shooting BUT it covers falconry under the liability. If you want to insure the bird for vets fees and life cover then.........

http://www.exoticdirect.co.uk

[Will]

Hi Emma, and welcome.

Insurance-wise, the Countryside Alliance have a website, they'll send you the details if you call them or even sign you up over the phone.

As for hunting, shoes and newspapers are all they're any good for but that doesn't mean she won't be a great companion for years to come. Lots of dummy bunny work counted for nothing when mine saw his first real one. He flew off, landed next to it and the two of them walked together for about ten yards before the rabbit got fed up of him. Thank god there was no-one watching! :oops:

[Bubo]

hahahahahahaha will i can just imagine that!! :lol:

[CheekyCharlie]

Thanks for all the advice, I can but try I suppose, I know she'll make a good companion as she's just so funny to watch. I would be content just to watch Chris hunt his HH.

[Claire]

have you considered trying lamping with your owl I dont know much about it so just a suggestion

[SecretSquirrel]

i'd be careful on the first time hunting with the EO, saw the most perfectly plesant EO take a dummy bunny for the first time and when keeper tried to retrieve if on offering alternative, he got attacked! im sure all EO's are different, but dont be suprised if this happens, it may not take to releasing the quarry for you without a good fight! :shock:
good luck though. :D