How much time does it take up?

[LordGamebore 0]

Ok, I've always had a keen intrest in falconry and birds of prey in general, and have always though about taking up falconry, it seems to me about the best way to hunt. I've always been put of by the ammount of time it takes and how much commitment is needed I could easily spare around 2 hours day and I spend about that on my two dogs. I've been looking at a few posts on here lately and alot of people keep falcons, dogs, ferrets and even shoot! I thought you pratically have to devout your entire life to falconry without time for friends, family or anything else. Well, that's the impression I've got from some of these "master" falconers who say it must be your entire life.

 

What's the real deal about keeping say a harris hawk or goshawk, or even a falcon?

 

Cheers....

[liftboy1 0]

I had a harris hawk pal, and it took a lot of time, say an hour every morning and 2 hours a day in the evening plus cleaning. Me and the missus had a few arguments too. They are fun to fly but because they are so specialist it is a hard thing to learn. I remember a blitz of people last year wanted to take up falconry and they seemed almost green to how much the birds need to fly. My friend who has a goshawk takes it to work with him on a cadge and flys it whilst at work every other hour and flys when he gets home. I tried it and didnt get on, I found with a dog and gun, the dog can sleep in a kennel, the gun can go in the cabinet but a bird is different. Hope this helps.

[gilly-93 31]

Hi mate, you get out of it what you put into it, the more time you spend with the bird greater the results will be.. i fly a harris and she's a superb bird who will have a go at anything, i spend a lot of time with her but reap the rewards. If you have any doubts about owning, training and hunting with a bird of prey dont do it, bird traders full of bops from people who have bought them and then in the cold light of day realised what they have done and the commitment it takes. As for your question it does not have to take over your life, but it helps hell of a lot. If you have a regular 9-5 job seriously think about it, if you are still commited build the biggest mews you can so while you are at work the bird is content and can fly about once free lofted, but you still need to have contact before and after work, we do loads of other stuff shooting, ferreting, fishing and 3D Archery but Ruby comes with us even through the moult, nothing changes but thats just my way. See my thread "My First Hawk" in the broadwing section or pm me if you would any other advice, regards Mark (Liams Dad).

[MARKR1985 15]

Hi mate, you get out of it what you put into it, the more time you spend with the bird greater the results will be.. i fly a harris and she's a superb bird who will have a go at anything, i spend a lot of time with her but reap the rewards. If you have any doubts about owning, training and hunting with a bird of prey dont do it, bird traders full of bops from people who have bought them and then in the cold light of day realised what they have done and the commitment it takes. As for your question it does not have to take over your life, but it helps hell of a lot. If you have a regular 9-5 job seriously think about it, if you are still commited build the biggest mews you can so while you are at work the bird is content and can fly about once free lofted, but you still need to have contact before and after work, we do loads of other stuff shooting, ferreting, fishing and 3D Archery but Ruby comes with us even through the moult, nothing changes but thats just my way. See my thread "My First Hawk" in the broadwing section or pm me if you would any other advice, regards Mark (Liams Dad).

 

Good post. It's not something that you can just do 2 hours every day religiously. What happens if you go out,and after an hour and a half your bird spooks and flies off? I for one couldn't just say " Oh sh*t I can't look for it today i'm out of my two hour window" Most employers will be ok with it once,or even twice but after that they will soon find someone else who doesn't have to go "chasing their hawk around the country"

You can have a life and it's not as if your world ends the minute you buy a hawk but you do have to put your priorities in order in a big way!If you can only give two hours a day maximum it might be an idea to wait a while. The "master falconers" you speak about only give this advice out with the bird's best interest at heart mate.

[LordGamebore 0]

Hi mate, you get out of it what you put into it, the more time you spend with the bird greater the results will be.. i fly a harris and she's a superb bird who will have a go at anything, i spend a lot of time with her but reap the rewards. If you have any doubts about owning, training and hunting with a bird of prey dont do it, bird traders full of bops from people who have bought them and then in the cold light of day realised what they have done and the commitment it takes. As for your question it does not have to take over your life, but it helps hell of a lot. If you have a regular 9-5 job seriously think about it, if you are still commited build the biggest mews you can so while you are at work the bird is content and can fly about once free lofted, but you still need to have contact before and after work, we do loads of other stuff shooting, ferreting, fishing and 3D Archery but Ruby comes with us even through the moult, nothing changes but thats just my way. See my thread "My First Hawk" in the broadwing section or pm me if you would any other advice, regards Mark (Liams Dad).

 

Good post. It's not something that you can just do 2 hours every day religiously. What happens if you go out,and after an hour and a half your bird spooks and flies off? I for one couldn't just say " Oh sh*t I can't look for it today i'm out of my two hour window" Most employers will be ok with it once,or even twice but after that they will soon find someone else who doesn't have to go "chasing their hawk around the country"

You can have a life and it's not as if your world ends the minute you buy a hawk but you do have to put your priorities in order in a big way!If you can only give two hours a day maximum it might be an idea to wait a while. The "master falconers" you speak about only give this advice out with the bird's best interest at heart mate.

 

 

Cheers for the advice mate. I could spend longer than 2 hours a day, I was just giving that as a general guide. I live in the countryside so I have farms nearby where I could fly a BOP.