Looking for info

[gingerb0y 0]

Hello excuse me if these questions have been asked before.

 

I have tried to research as much as I can on the internet & i have read a couple of books & threads on THL.

 

I am looking at enrolling on a falconry/lantra course & maybe join a club but before I engage to far spending unecessary money I need some general help info.

 

My huge concern is how much flying is required after training hawk everyday? what if I could only fly once a week & what if I could only fly the hawk twice a month? obviously Im only considering the hawks welfare/fitness etc. here; this is worse case senario

 

The books dont really tell you all this, being a family man & working full time if I need to be out with the bird everyday its just not for me as I could not commit that much time & would not be fair on the bird.

 

Any replies gratefully recieved & any other info please.

[Kat 3]

You'll never have a fit bird and you'll never do it justice sadly. If it were a needs must scenario its a bit more acceptable till you're lifestyle changed but to take one on and know you'll be unable to do it justice is a bit like getting a puppy when everyones out all day.

[gingerb0y 0]

Thanks for the reply Kat I would go into hawking 110% but I clearly cannot give enough time for the birds welfare etc. thats what I needed to know its definetly not for me at the moment.

[Kat 3]

You could of course join a club and get a mentor/mate/local falconer to let you observe & tag along through the split year of moult where there isnt much to do but you'd be able to learn lots and get making some equipment and the hunting months where you could go out with him/her and learn some fieldcraft and get a feel of it better. You could perhaps ferret for someone.. It'll all be good practise to collect providing the person you go out with knows his onions, and not all do lol One day your circumstances may change and at least you'd have an idea about the time involved in it all.

[sleepy_saluki 5]

its no good flying once a week thats why im gonna part with my big femle harris shift changes at work its not fair on the bird at all

[jonnygray 139]

hi there there are other ways of keeping your bird fit without hunting, i spent a little time flying falcons on landfills and as this took up 5 days of my week flying my harris became weekend thing and his fitness did suffer to start with. i overcame this by spending 30 mins each eve getting him jumping up for his food while i stood on a stepladder making him go vertical for his food, also where i am i was able to throw him on to the roof of the house and have him stooping to a lure in the back garden. its not an ideal situation but thebird was fit as a fiddle and ready to go when i did hunt him.

[austringer 0]

I agree with jonnygray, you can fly/hunt a harris at weekends if you can devote a little time each day to fitness.I have known people who only fly there birds at weekends and do quite well.I personly like to fly my birds as often as possible 4/5 times a week and more to get the best out of them,a bird flown this way will totally out class a weekenders bird but it can be done.atb