taking hawks out for a walk

[Dave G]

:lol: :lol: looking at a few different posts on here a few members seem to take their hawks for walks mmmm wouldnt it be better to let them fly as thats what birds do :lol: on a serious note when taking your hawks out for walks on the fist as part of manning are they boxed up and taken to the land or fields or walked through the streets , as if so is this for an ego boost look at me thing ??? as i dont think this does the bird much good !!! over the you ben c :wink:

[Rob Redtail]

Well i suppose i'm lucky in respect that i only have to walk 50 yards down our lane and then i'm onto the green lane and the fields and woods , but i like my birds to see a wide variety of things such as cars going by and other people and their dogs etc etc while manning. R'gards Rob.

[Saker-Clive]

When I first started manning Kier, I used to put him in the car, go to our various lands, then we'd stroll around the areas, getting him used to the site, the surroundings, other wildlife and the odd person if we came across anyone. Once we started training, and flying, the walks stopped.

[Newbie FHH]

Our "training" land is only across the road so yes we walk there. I thought that walking is all to do with getting them used to things so that they are not destracted when out hunting/flying?? Our bird is now used to kids playing, bikes, cars, dogs & cats - i think it all helps and also you do feel quite proud with a nice looking bird on your arm - don't you lads!!! :wink:

[Ben C]

Not too sure about walking down a street, although I knew a very wise falconer who use to ride with his kestrel on the handle bars on a bike!!

Of course you walk with your hawk everywhere you can, we even took our hawks down the pub at the bash. Kids on trampolenes, BB Gos fell asleep at the bar (too much Newcastle Brown Ale me thinks) :), a town crier the works. No bating, both hawks solid as **** :) :)

I still walk with Cody on the fist to our hunting ground, but then again its only down the track past the lake. I think its good to walk with the hawk, it teaches it manners instead of coming straight out and flying. Calmness on the fist is a very important thing for me :) :)

[Rob Redtail]

Ben , that bird of yours is a little pussy if it was anymore laid back it'd be horizontal....lol....wothout alcohol....come over and pick up my FHH and see if you can come away intact...lol.....she loves the taste of you little shropshire boys....lol

[Ben C]

Rob.....I take every word as a complement mate, so does Cody :) :)

[Tree Sitter]

As a few have said already I too always take my birds for walks.

Some say that walking down the road is posing I say rubbish to that as if your home gets broken into and the bird gets free it will be in the middle of town and in an environment totally knew to them unless you have prepeared them. Due to this I walk all my birds about the area where I live that way they get to know it and if I do get broken into then my birds hopefully will come home to me or stay only a few gardens away.

I also walk them through out their lives not just when training it creates a good bond and in my opinion it makes for a rock steady bird and means I have done the best by my birds, afterall we are but caretakers.

Max

[Jiff]

i don't live in an area where it's wise to walk the street with a hawk, after just a short while i would resemble the pied piper with a multitude of kids all following on,for innitial manning i drove the short distance to a local park, early-ish as i wanted to bump into people with dogs and such but not idiots,between 7 and 8 the usual dog walkers are pentioners or atleast mature folk, i don't suppose there's anything wrong with taking a walk with you're bird as long as you're ever cautious of whats going on arround you.

[Dave G]

i agree jiff just think if your birds being manned and is quite steady on the fist then take him out by roads ,kids etc then a dog or kid runs up from no where scares the deck feathers off the bird then think your bird will have gone 10 foot backwards and hate dogs forever mite even fly off when sees one

[BlackHawke]

i've always been told to get em used to everything including dogs running around kids shouting etc, like jiff said i personally dont think theres owt wrong with u taking ya bird out as long as ya cautious n got ya wits about ya, makes a steadier bird

[Loopy]

:lol: :lol: looking at a few different posts on here a few members seem to take their hawks for walks mmmm wouldnt it be better to let them fly as thats what birds do

You have just answered your own question very well. Surely it is far better for your hawk to have a fright when it is under control, on the fist and you can reassure it? Exposure to nothing potentially scary and then immediate free flying would I imagine lead to a lost hawk very quickly. It is not about being a poser, I'm sure many of the forum members are like myself and would prefer to be left alone to hunt in peace and quiet but know the value of a steady hawk in other circumstances :)

[BlackHawke]

although jades still getting used to the pensioners mobility scooters jumpin out on her from nowhere!! :D shes used to em whizzing passed her at stupid speeds!!lol holland on sea... gods waiting room, nowt like it :D :shock:

[Afshimo]

I was wondering about taking my Gyr/saker down to a not-so-local park as its a lot quieter than my local one. Would it be OK for me to take him with his hood (off when we get walking) aslong as I keep an eye out for dogs and such? I'd like my bird to be steady and would also like to walk in the park just for a bit of difference every now and then.
Whats your opinions? Yes or no? Reasons....

THX!

Han

[Saker-Clive]

Do any of the parks have a pond with seagulls on it or gulls flocking in to be fed when the ducks are being fed/ if so, take your bird down when the 'ranger' or park keeper is about and introduce yourself. Complain about all the gulls and offer to walk around the area with the bird as this will help to get rid of the gulls whilst you are there and you get to man your bird in public.
One of our local parks keep on asking me to take the birds down so picnickers etc. and the cafe can have there food in peace. If after a while, you may even be able to train your birds on the creance and help educate some of the locals; especially as they don't get to see a raptor up close.

[Afshimo]

lol, good idea! I will try that one! Thx!

[Wilfred]

well i did say taking for a walk all the time in posts since i just do not know the english term for it. In Dutch we call it "afdragen" and that is just walking as part of manning.

Is there not some particular term for the walking part in English?? should be...or not?

[Dave G]

i do agree with manning the bird down hard ,noise ,people ,kids lawn mowers etc so as good as bomb proof but is walking down the street or flying in local park giving the wrong impression ,wow i will get one of those as looks good and silly tame you know how people think and every one knows who owns a bird they can nick ???

[Ben C]

Who has walked down the street with a hawk that you know Romeo?? I have never seen anyone doing it YET :) :)

As for pest control: If you a good enough falconer, have insurance and understand your hawk implicitly then no problem. I personally wouldn't do it, but I know a bloke who has chased pigeon very successfully in London with a Harris Hawk.

[Dave G]

seen a chap out with a goss and also fella taking his eagle owl down the road both walking down main roads ,the chap with the goss had a little following but the bird was hooded

[Ben C]

Jeepers....what town, sound like a big risk taker :) :) Where was he going the pet shop for a quick snack :) :)

[Dave G]

:lol: god knows the goss and the pied piper :lol: the goss was coventry and the owl was up the road from me,i know of a guy who fly his bengal own in the street but after a while it got so agressive attacked kids and dogs he could not handle it any more ,do you think it got brave and was not affraid of all the things that it was flying around thats what made it aggresive mmm

[MickeyDredd]

[quote] I was wondering about taking my Gyr/saker down to a not-so-local park as its a lot quieter than my local one. Would it be OK for me to take him with his hood (off when we get walking) aslong as I keep an eye out for dogs and such? [quote]

Not unless you are accompanied Hannah, no offence but as a 14 year old girl if there's any dipsh*ts there you will get trouble.

Cracking looking bird by the way

[Saker-Clive]

I agree MickeyD; I have been approached by a couple od druggies asking all the usual idiotic questions, "would it attack me if I had a pop at you"............................."can I stroke it?" 'no , she'll bite'..........."Ok, I'll try it"...................then she goes to either bite or foot him :lol:............................................' Well I did tell you!'.................."F***ing fing shouldn't be allowed in public"..................... and so it carries on..............and on!!!!!!!!!

Hannah, just be careful.