Looking For A Mentor West Yorkshire Area!

[Carter80 0]

Hi all! Total newb to falconry. Reading the books watching the vids and no where near looking at getting a bird! I'm looking for a mentor in the West Yorkshire area, so if anyone out there is kind enough to let me join them I'd massively appreciate it, as I want to start off in the sport the way I mean to go on. Doing things right! Regards James

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

keep at it mate theres a few falconers round here. id take you out myself but ive already offered to take someone with me from the forum. its the end of the season though mate so you wont find anyone to take you out till august-september as birds are moulting their feathers

[Carter80 0]

Thanks! Yeah I read one of your earlier posts and realised it was out of season! But at least if I can get someone kind enough to agree now, it saves me looking for a few months into the season! Going to a few club meets in April so at least ill be able to pick their brains and probably bore them to death with stupid questions!

[lor123 12]

what bird have you in mind mate

[Carter80 0]

Harris hawk, well that seems to be the general consensus as where to start?

[charlie caller 3,654]

Thanks! Yeah I read one of your earlier posts and realised it was out of season! But at least if I can get someone kind enough to agree now, it saves me looking for a few months into the season! Going to a few club meets in April so at least ill be able to pick their brains and probably bore them to death with stupid questions!

No such thing as stupid questions pal,good luck.

[Bluebell h 69]

Well dun for goin about it that way fella ive only been hawking to seasons so I'm new realy but [BANNED TEXT] I found Woz one bloke says this then sume one else says that I'd say to you ask alot ov questions then see who as the most coman sence then stick with them ! But I got fed up waiting for people to go out with so I do most of my hawking on my own .and belive me it's bloody hard sum times .atb

[lor123 12]

well have to say have a fhh myself and big thing is you dont have to be so strict on the weight, my fhh wont fly over ferreits at all at goes made to nail them, which was my own fault as i introduced the ferrets only in the second season,maybe she will take to them for next season as i moved them infront of the mews and she can see them 24/7 only up side is she is she seems to love the family dog a little small mongrel and now the 2 of them work together he flushes from heavy cover and she waits on in the trees or on my fist. i love going out with both of them and if you want a bird that doesnt have to be flown everyday personnally i think the harris is way to go. they are a good bird for the beginner but my advice would be dont mind what everyone else is doing and use common sense as some people follow other like sheep. just remember if your enjoying your hawking well thats all its about. i wish you all the best with it mate.

Harris hawk, well that seems to be the general consensus as where to start

[arcticgun 4,548]

choosing a bird to fly is the hardst part imho, some want to fly falcons but simply do not have the given space to do so to any desirable effect, hence the hawks lending well to the sort of land and quarry most have available to them, one of the most important aspects to have right in place prior to getting a bird is the land to hunt on, make no mistake you cannot have a sneaky mooch about like you can with a dog, these things decide as and when they come back even the most placid harris will ignore you once in a while, so make sur eyou got a few good permissons mate and also alocal bit of ground to practise exercise and train the bird on,

 

regarding mixed advice read one quality book and stick by what your mentor says , ignore the forums , put your trust in one man, you can start to learn more and different ways once you have a couple fo seasons guidance under ya belt and increase in confidence in both yourself and the bird, its all very basic stuff unfortunately thats where the problems begin lol

[lor123 12]

makes a lot of sense.

choosing a bird to fly is the hardst part imho, some want to fly falcons but simply do not have the given space to do so to any desirable effect, hence the hawks lending well to the sort of land and quarry most have available to them, one of the most important aspects to have right in place prior to getting a bird is the land to hunt on, make no mistake you cannot have a sneaky mooch about like you can with a dog, these things decide as and when they come back even the most placid harris will ignore you once in a while, so make sur eyou got a few good permissons mate and also alocal bit of ground to practise exercise and train the bird on,

 

regarding mixed advice read one quality book and stick by what your mentor says , ignore the forums , put your trust in one man, you can start to learn more and different ways once you have a couple fo seasons guidance under ya belt and increase in confidence in both yourself and the bird, its all very basic stuff unfortunately thats where the problems begin lol