david901

Hi there I would never buy a secondhand hawk mate. Sometimes you can get lucky and buy a decent hawk, but usually there is a good reason for selling it. Some of the issues can be screaming, aggression etc. etc. A lot of problems can be fairly easily overcome, but why bother. Usually you can pick up a fresh young hawk for the same price as the secondhand hawk, but without the baggage. Harris' hawks train easily and fairly quickly and you would get a greater sense of achievement from bringing on your own hawk. Just my two pence LOL

Thanks for letting me know. I've now flown 2 50/50 Albidus females. I think they're very good hawks and like how they perform.

Hi George Can I ask if the Gos is a pure Albidus? Very nice btw.

Very nice. I wish I had the patience to make a decent hood. I tried it once but gave up after a while

Very nice mate.

I'm sure you'll have plenty of fun flying her. Good luck with her.

Hi Robert Are you imprinting the Spar or going for PR? And what do you intend to fly her at? Good luck

Thanks mate. I'll try and source one the same size.

I was hoping someone can point me in the right direction where I can buy a replacement filler valve O ring for a falcon lighthunter? The gun was leaking from the end so I removed the filler valve where I noted the O ring was quite brittle, but it appeared to be flat on one side rather than round. Just thought I'd check if you can use any O ring of the correct size or are they a specific O ring that needs to be fitted? Thanks

Hi Mark Perhaps a highish rotating ring perch would suit. Most Goshawks seem to do fairly well on them. I must admit that although I've got a female imprint, my personal favourite is a Gos raised by an imprint. They come out steady and with sympathetic manning, seem to become very tame and steady in a short while. Out of curiosity, can I ask who bred her? Good luck with her. David

Hi Moorman I've never used the Meng perch and it looks horrible to me LOL, but the guys who use them in USA like you say, seem to think they're great. I read an article explaining their use and it did make sense to me. I think you would have to get a metalworker to manufacture one for you. Pretty sure someone could provide the dimensions. Out of curiosity, is your Gos a PR or an imprint. Cheers

Just a thought Moorman, I have also used a loop perch to good effect for Goshawks whilst they are in their mews or weathering. It seems to keep their feathers in good shape. Also, I know some folk keep them on screen perches, but that is something I have no experience with. David

Sorry Moorman, but it has now been dismantled. All I did was attach two wooden perches at either end of a 12 foot mews with a length of wire running between them and with a metal ring. The leash was tied to the ring allowing the Gos to fly between the two perches. One end was under a roof, the other end open to the elements which meant the hawk could sit in the rain or shelter if it wanted. As it was within the mews, if a leash or ring broke then the hawk was still contained. Here is a system an American used, which may be of interest.

The only time I use a tailguard on a Goshawk is when it is a fresh hawk out of the mews that is undergoing manning and training and then after that, when on a kill if the hawk mantles a lot or if it bounces about in its travel box.I would never put a guard on it, in its day to day routine. My current Gos is kept on a rotating ring perch, where she can sit on the floor, get water etc, but I have also kept goshawks freelofted during the hunting season without any issues. I've also used a small trolley system with good results and I have also kept them on bow perches, but I much prefer the rotating ring perch. Cheers

i live not too far away near Glasgow mate.