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david901

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Posts posted by david901

  1. Safest way to drop Female H/h weight!

    in Falconry

    Posted

    On 27/06/2022 at 17:15, Foxdropper2 said:

    Seems simple enough question .Why dosnt someone take the time to answer it .Dosnt mean he’s going out tomorrow just getting prepared .

    Giving advice over the internet isn't really a good idea regarding BOP and especially with regard to weight management.

    The person advising can't see the bird in question or feel its keel to see if it's fat or thin. Too much weight loss and the bird may well go low and possibly die.

    Trying to man a hawk that is too fat can sometimes cause the bird to hate the person and can result in aggression.

    The ideal solution for a beginner is to get someone who knows what they are doing locally, and who can give advice and tips on training/manning the hawk with a hands on approach.

    Unfortunately it's the hawk that will suffer if the beginner gets it wrong.

    Just my opinion.

     

    • Like 3

  5. Harris Hawks / Young vs Old

    in Falconry

    Posted

    On 03/09/2020 at 21:33, Keebsunited said:

    Hi all, after 40 years of waiting, numerous Falconry courses etc, I am soon (at last) going to have the time needed to dedicate to keeping my first Harris Hawk and hunting (aka retirement). Fortunately here in there are some great rabbit hunting grounds including near where I live. My neighbours will love me as rabbits are everywhere and regarded as a serious pest!

    Whilst searching to purchase a Harris Hawk, here there seems to be many people who unfortunately ("for personal reasons" mainly) are selling older already trained birds, 3 yrs old, 4 yrs old for example. I realise that ideally an 8 week Harris, parent raised, untouched by humans is best. But I can't seem to find any information or videos about taking over the 'partnership role' with an older bird and whether it's a good/bad idea. 

    Most hawks need a little manning and hunting refreshment even after the moulting months, so I am thinkng that perhaps with an older bird, it would soon 'partner' with me OK, or would the previous owner be too ingrained?

    Any advice or experience or partnering with an older hawk would be gratefully received. 

    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 

    • Like 2

  7. New birds...

    in Falconry

    Posted

    On 07/07/2020 at 22:54, George h 87 said:

    Imprinting this white female Siberian albidous for a friend also got the pleasure of flying it for a few months try and iron out any bad habits before he gets it the Joy's 

    20200707_220001.jpg

    20200706_162144.jpg

    Hi George

    Can I ask if the Gos is a pure Albidus?

    Very nice btw.

  13. PCP O ring choice

    in Rifle Reviews, Technical Help and Tips

    Posted

    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

  14. Goshawk tail guards

    in Falconry

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Moorman 1 said:

    Lol I thought the same but like you said when I read the explanation of how it works, it makes sense. I'm thinking about looking into getting one sourced.

    She is PR but very steady.

    Regards Mark

    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

     

  15. Goshawk tail guards

    in Falconry

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Moorman 1 said:

    Thanks again David, yes a friend of mine used a loop perch to good effect. I have just revamped my raptor post, they work well, but the only down side is that they can't get down to bathe etc. I bought a Gos with bad feather damage on tail and primary tips, she's moulting out well now. Just exploring different methods of tethering for when I reclaim her from the moult. I don't think that any one method is perfect for every bird, its trial and error. What works for one hawk may not work for another. I have been speaking to some of the US Gos men and they all swear by the Meng tail saver perch. It's strange as I have never seen it used in the UK or offered for sale at any of the furniture makers.

     

    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

  16. Goshawk tail guards

    in Falconry

    Posted

    On 25/04/2020 at 14:43, Moorman 1 said:

    Thanks for the reply David, I have seen that one before. Thats the type of thing that I was thinking about. As you have said it keeps them tethered while still allowing them the freedom of going outside for a bath or sitting inside out of the weather. The best of both worlds.

    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

  17. Goshawk tail guards

    in Falconry

    Posted

    19 minutes ago, Moorman 1 said:

    Hi David I don't suppose that you have any pics of the small trolley system? I'm just looking at doing one myself, always good to see other peoples set ups.

    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.

     

  18. Goshawk tail guards

    in Falconry

    Posted

    On 07/04/2020 at 07:36, George h 87 said:

    What tail guards do people use on there goshawks my prefered method is tail plectrum or marshall crimps and dpc tail guard, also how do use keep birds while flying on raptor post, bow perch or ring perch I prefer raptor post only down side is they cant get to water.

    20190917_161608.jpg

    20190914_195129.jpg

    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

     

  21. Lost hawk Leeds

    in Falconry

    Posted

    Hi mate if you are on Facebook, you could post this on a few lost and found birds of prey sites. 

    Also if you look up and contact the Independent Bird Register, they will help to track down a possible owner.

     

    Cheers

    • Like 1

  23. All run out

    in Falconry

    Posted

    It seems to have happened all over the country apart from a few areas.

    The poor rabbit numbers have dwindled around here too. There are still a few pockets around though and if you only take a few over the season there are some left for breeding. The problem is not everyone tries to conserve them.

     

    • Like 1
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