beginners question

[dankay123 33]

hi there quick question for u all. after reading the popular falconry books. how much time would i need to put aside for a bird of prey. i am interested in getting a harris hawk for mainly rabbits and the odd hare. i have hunted for years with guns,dogs,ferrets and then packed it all in for due to family commitments. i would like to start over and would really like to fly a harris hawk. i work 5 days a week sometimes saturday too. 8-5pm . i have enough room for aivary and can afford the vet expense if harris got ill. any advice.

[steve123 29]

summer you could manage but winter would be very difficult, if not impossible ,yes you can fly at night with a lamp but you need to put alot of work in before hand including training and fitness, if you have family commitmants as well sounds like an uphill struggle sorry .

maybe try and find someone locally you can go out with weekends or get the misses interested lol.

[dankay123 33]

when i say commitments i mean a 14mth old daughter. weekends working is my choice so could have full weekends for HH care and flying

[banjo14 49]

its not impossible but there is a lot to training a bird if you had some one nearby to help guide you. it would be a good start.

atb adam

[dankay123 33]

wheres the best place to look for a mentor?

[j j m 6,487]

Any falconry site you will find some one in your area you just have to persuade them that your genuine and want to learn hopefully one will take you out and show you the ropes

[MAACCY 105]

That's why I give it up mate got a job working 8 till 5 not enough day light hours to fly a bird and do it justice it would be difficult training a bird on them hours you can man it indoors get it eating on the glove hooding etc you only get out what you put in .

[MAACCY 105]

Theres a lot more people seem to be lamping with Harris hawks due to work commitments have you tried the falconry forum all the best