starting out

[danny boi 0]

hi ive had a lurcher for a number of years now but am hoping to be able to take on a bop pretty soon,

have had a small amount of experience flying harris's with a freind and i am sure he will be more than willing to help me out if i do get a bird but thought id put this to a wider audience,

firstly is there any literature out there i can get my hands on to give me a good idea about keeping a bird. i already have a good idea about weight managment and such,

 

and secondly, a first bird, and i know the obvious choice is a harris BUT is there any other options there is sort of a lack of quarry but alot of land for me to fly on if u get where im coming from as for me at the minute hunting the bird is not the main thing, i really like ther look of the red tails ive seen about or even maybe a largeish owl,

 

so just wundered if anyone could help me out a little?

cheers

dan

[danny boi 0]

just noticed jaspers topic on starting out brilliant post but the type of bird question still stands

 

cheers

dan

[jasper65 6]

A redtail is a lovely birds Danny to get some real hands on experience , a Harrishawk is fine too but tend to come on much quicker than the average Redtail when being Manned/Trainned. its not a problem though mate as alot of people who take up Harris's move onto different birds such as a Gos without any problems where as other will struggle, Basically its all down to the individual falconer and there grey matter .

 

most of it is common sense to solve alot of issues that come before you when handling a bird. The Redtail will challenge you more than the average Harris expecially in the manning department, this will always stand you in good stead if you fancy taking on somthing like a P/R gos in the future! if you have already had the experince of manning a fairly difficult bird such as a Red then you have a good idea what to expect...

 

Don't get me wrong though Danny! you can take up a Harris and have a whole lot of sport and might never want to move onto anything else....

 

cheers

 

Jasp

[danny boi 0]

thanks for the reply jasper!

ill keep everything you said in mind i dont know why but when i think of a harris i dont get the same feeling as when i think of a redtail they excite me more lol i know that sounds a bit wierd but i think when it does come down to it i would rather put in the extra effort with the redtail and have a bird i would enjoy rather than get a harris and not really want it if u get me

 

thanks again and be sure to keep you posted on any developments!

 

cheers

dan

[charlie caller 3,654]

Howdy mate

good on you for asking all the right questions and not just diving in like some idiots,I agree a redtail is a very nice bird and immensly powerfull but in the wrong hands can be a nasty accident waiting to happen,however dont be fooled into thinking all harris hawks are a pushover cos there not,my female for instance can be a right sod and no way would I let her anywhere near a novice,you will probably find it more difficult to get your redtail going than you would a harris and spend quite some time under trees trying to coax it down,but of course they are all different and some come on quicker than others,at the end of the day mate its all about what you fancy, an if its a redtail then go for it,put the time in and youll reap the rewards,I would recomend the complete hare and rabbit hawk by martin hollinshead,excellent,and he really does know his stuff,all the best with it mate and let us know when you get one

 

cheers CHARLIE CALLER.