dispatch rabbits

[Dave G]

was just wondering how different falconers dispatch of rabbits when their hawks got hold of it , have seen bob dalton move in with a knife :cry: to dispatch but always thought if the hawk grabbed the knife and cut its talons this is too bigger risk ive been going into camping shops ,falconery stalls at fairs etc to try to find a small pointed knife like item with no blade some think like what we used to used when making a hole in our conkers :o :lol: as if the bird grabbed this there would be no harm done,i spoke with a falconer on a stall and tried to discribe what i ment and was told what a good idea as many falconers dont like to dispatch with a knife but its the easiest way

[Skeld]

What you are talking about is a marlin spike, not sure who sells them though! I have personally used a knife for years without any problems. Depending on where the bird has a grip you can break the rabbits neck with your hands.

[ColdZero]

knicking the idea from someone on here, i will use a sharpened screwdriver. But breaking the neck when possible.

[Addi]

must admit i tend to use a knife while shielding the knife with my gloved hand but the cheapest way of getting the type of impliment you are after is a bradawl .. avalible from most diy shops for a couple of quid :wink:

[Wes]

I've Rescued a hickery rake handle and affixed a long rake tine to the end, shaped tine to a point, use as a spear to dispatch game, doubles as beating and walking stick. friend uses a golf club with head cut off and sharpened. reaching in and breaking neck when possible works well, but not always possible.
Wes

[Mary Quite Contrary]

just pull the things head and hold its legs with the other one.
Short sharp pull, job done!
In the bag,next please?

A thick bradawl is what you require.
I would only use the sticking in the head method on feathered game as the thickness of the point is not going to miss the brain and there is less chance of missing. In effect it is like a bullet through the brain. No mess or mistakes. Flip -flap.

[Hawkmaster]

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[Wightwings]

all good points and you need to be proficient in more than one method. How are you safely going to use the spike or knife when the bird has a good head grip? If you are going to neck pull then like Chuffers says it has to be a firm and meaningful kinetic movement.

[Hodgesargh]

All of the following assumes that the rabbit is in an acceptable position and that your hawk has allowed you to get hold of the right bits (surprisingly, this is usually the case!).

With the rabbit laying on its front and with its head towards your left, place the fork of your left thumb and forefinger around its neck with the palm of your hand facing towards its nose.

Put your fingers under its chin and lift its head backwards (as though it were looking upwards).

Take both back feet firmly in your right hand and lift them upwards and backwards so that the back and rear legs form a straight line. At this point there should be quite a sharp angle between the head and the body – this angle is crucial to a quick, clean dispatch!

Push down firmly with the left (head) hand and simultaneously pull firmly upwards and backwards with the right hand. The neck should break cleanly and quickly with the absolute minimum of suffering.

The purpose of the angle is to allow a shearing dislocation of the cervical vertebrae, just pulling in a straight line is uncertain (unless you’re built like Guy the Gorilla) and hard work.

If none of this is possible, a Phillips or Pozidrive screwdriver will do it.

If you have to use a knife, be very, VERY careful.

[Wightwings]

great post H ...........now THATS....kinetic movement........one smooth none stop action......

[KevGem1]

sharpened screwdriver you can push it in inbetween toes know risk of damaging your bird.KEV :wink:

[HunterPaul]

hodgesargh...is a wonderful description that I doubt can be improved upon ..this method is easy and effective ..I've only ever needed to use a knife on squirrels.. accidentally caught as I dont fly them purposfully.. and have only ever caught a couple ..before every one starts...
is there a better way to despatch these little monsters? ...just in case.. cos they dont half have a go back..