david901
-
Content Count
357 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Gallery
Articles
Gun Dealer's and Fieldsports Shop's
Reloading Room
Blogs
Calendar
Store
Classifieds
Everything posted by david901
-
I understand your concern mate. Some vets arn't worth a toss, thats why I said go to a good vet that specialises in birds. Not many about, but a good one is well worth a visit, especially for the sake of the hawk.
-
I would suggest take it to a decent avian vet to diagnose the problem.
-
You could always make your own out of light plywood. I have my own homemade box and also a falcon fabrications box. I found the Falcon fabrications box doesn't clean up as well as the wooden one. Also I find the perch not far enough from the floor which means the gos tail feathers touch the floor and can get dirty if she messes when travelling. David
-
For Stud Bronson Collie Whippet First Cross
david901 replied to bigjase1's topic in Working Dogs & Livestock
He asked have you had any big bags ...... Depends where in the country he is. 20 rabbits in some places is harder going than 50 in others. So very true mate. -
I agree with saluki bulls above post. Flying birds of prey is a big commitment. If you don't put the time and effort into them you will just be messing about and that won't impress you or your potential hawk. JMO.
-
I totally agree the bit about lee Harris Book - not my cup of tea. I must admit if you are flying a Harris's Hawk, Martin Hollinshead writes some decent books.
-
I find it strange when I see posts saying " buy a good book " because the Internet contains far more information than any book ever could. The problem with the internet is there is so much garbage as well as good information posted and it might be hard for a beginner to know the difference. Books are good sources....sorry SOME books are good sources of information, BUT you can't beat getting first hand information from an experienced and knowledgeable falconer. Its a shame we don't have an apprenticeship scheme like they have in USA. One book I would recommend is Falconry and Hawking b
-
Hi has anyone watched the DVDs by David Jones? And are they worth getting? Cheers David
-
Thanks for that information. It was very useful. Cheers
-
Hi mate, I was just wondering as to their working ability. I know they are quite easily spoiled and have a soft temperament. What sort of distance do they work from the handler? My Brittany works to around 100 to 200 yards away from me depending on the conditions. Do they have a a good/excellent nose? How fast are they at working ie full speed gallop until they scent something or do they cover the ground at a slower pace? Cheers pal.
-
Hi does anyone have any experience of this breed? If so could you share your knowledge. Cheers
-
I would be careful with which Brit I got. I think most make good hunting dogs, but there are a few that are a bit hard-headed. Not the type of dog you want while hunting a hawk. My own Brittany was easy to train and has good drive for hunting, but I am glad I put a lot of obedience into him when he was a pup, ie before 9 months old. I wouldn't write the dog off at nine months, but would check him out and see how biddable he is before choosing.
-
One good thing about making your own furniture is that you can tailor it to the individual bird. For instance, I have a female gos that hates to be held by short jesses, so I make them quite long for that hawk. As for hoods, it is difficult to but in one that is a good fit, by making your own, again it is easier to tailor it for fitting.
-
Is There Something Wrong With This Dog?
david901 replied to Minkenry's topic in Earthdogs & Working Terriers
I'm laughing at so many keyboard experts. It looks to me as if the dog is a lot smarter than the people. At a year old, he is just a pup ffs. -
I don't know about suppliers near Manchester, but there are plenty that you can order and get equipment sent by mail order. Just browse the internet and a few names will crop up.
-
For flying shortwings, spaniels, labs etc are good, but so are pointing breeds as they can give you time to set up a slip with your hawk. If you are going to fly falcons in a classic style, ie stooping down on their prey, you will need a pointing breed of dog. My own preference is for a Brittany, but as with any breed, you need to do your homework as some strains are more suitable than others.
-
"Hunting a Harris hawk takes up less time than working terriers or lurchers or hunting with hounds does." I wouldn't really agree with this comment. Its true you can take a hawk out once a week and fly it, but it will not be fit and you will not get the best out of your hawk. I always try to get any hawk of mine out 4 or 5 times a week minimum. When they are young and learning, you need to get them out as much as possible on good game areas for them to master their skills. Its easy enough to get them out in Autumn, but when the nights draw in its a real struggle from December onwards if y
-
Thanks mate. The number of rabbits here has plummeted over the last few years. Just looking to finish off the season with a few rabbits. I will need to go further a field for next season. Cheers
-
Rabbiting land wanted in Scotland to fly some goshawks. PM if you know of any land with reasonable numbers of rabbit. Could pay a small fee if necessary Cheers
-
They are good systems for hawks, but there is a drawback and that is the bird is not enclosed and could be attacked by passing buzzards, cats, foxes etc. Derry lost a male goshawk to what was believed to be a fox.
-
I have moulted mine out in seclusion and also in a mews that had a large window to the front, she never broke any feathers in either, but the garden is quite a quiet area.
-
Had both male and female. Still got original female and have to say females are faster, stronger (bigger). Not in an additional burst they are not. A rabbit bolting say to about 25 yards the smaller male is quicker and then after that the female would catch it quicker. Considering a rabbit usually is in cover by then a male is mutch better It's simple physics! That may be true[ never flown a male RT] but a female will crash cover like nothing else
-
I also kept my RT in an 8ft x 12ft mews. After a season or so, she was kept freelofted all year round. But to begin with, as has been said, I would keep the hawk tethered at first. Before building your mews, ask your mentor to look at the design and dimensions of it first. Its easier to alter a design during the planning stage than after it has been built. Also if the bird is to be tethered to a bow-perch, you will need to look at the flooring - something that is easy to keep clean, but will not blunt talons or damage feathers. Is it a male or female RT you are getting? David
-
That's a kind offer, unfortunately I live too far away, near Glasgow. David
-
I understand what you mean. But having listened to some of the half-wits that falconry seems to attract, I wonder if the bird wouldn't be better off taking its chances in the wild. A few years ago it would have been relatively easy to find a breeding home [still not without risk for a male gos], but as the market is saturated already, there is not the same demand. When it was common to take passage birds, the solution would have been easy - return the bird back to the wild. Cheers
