Harris Hawk For Beginners ?

[Frank barton 16]

Looking to buy a harris hawk. But never had a bird and not a clue what to look for ? Don't want to get tucked up with a bird that's not working. Any info would be great

[mick1212 389]

Harrises are great birds just try and get out for a season with someone before you get 1 and learn a bit and you shouldn't go wrong

[Frank barton 16]

Yes I'm in West Sussex area don't think there's Meny people with hawks around here. I'll look online and try to find some one. Thanks

[lurchers 2,604]

Get a mentor 1st mate as people can kill a bird with out knowing if you have never had the experience.give it a year as that will be enough time for you to get all the equipment you need and be committed for one atb

[Frank barton 16]

Yes I'm not in a rush I'll try and get out with some one. Don't want to waste a bird or not be able to look after it properly thanks for the advice guys

[charlie caller 3,654]

I am not knocking a Harris as a first hawk, but if you buy a capable pre-owned Harris it will lul you into thinking hawking is easy, you would learn far far more from a redtail, get it right with a red and they are blinding, get it wrong and they will let you know in no uncertain terms, in my humble opinion, a red is an ideal first bird.

[j j m 6,483]

Try to find a mentor first mate

[Shotguner 3]

My job is flying birds of prey , we use Harris Hawks because they are the most forging , and best natured birds to work with , as a professional falconer , my advise would be to volunteer at your nearest falconry centre , learn from them and you won't regret it , training a bird is very easy , but if you get it wrong then the bird will never forget it and it will taint your perception of what it's like to fly a bird . Most of your training the bird is just building a trust bond with the bird , so a bit of time is needed at the start , so if you don't have a spare few hours on a Saturday to volunteer then you won't have a spare few hours to train the bird