Some Info

[Blakloks 5]

How do you guys balance work everyday life and falconry I'd love to one day own a hawk but I worry about not being able to justify it the fact I shoot a lot in the winter aswell when it's prime flying time.

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

there is lamping but to be honest nobody who works then shoots during there spare time can justify keeping a bird. they are alot of work and not just like a gun that can be kept in a cabinet and used when they need it.

Edited June 2, 2013 by youcanthide...BANG

[Blakloks 5]

I know people who fly there hawks keep them in moult for the summer but does nobody fly their birds in the summer

[rickardo 76]

i fly mine throught the summer months,(but not hunting) but its only because of work other wise they would be in moult, its nice to get them and me a break from flying, also they can get on with growing new feathers..

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

thats because they damage there feathers during the hunting season. nobody flys hawks during the summer unless they are being used for a pest control service, as it gives the quarry a rest to breed our sport for next season. plus its hard to see the hawk with all the cover. but most importantly is that it gives the falconer a break. even if we miss the sport as soon as we put the birds down for moult

[Blakloks 5]

I know people who fly there hawks keep them in moult for the summer but does nobody fly their birds in the summer

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

like i said pest controllers do as they use harris hawks to deter pigeons away from an area but no everyday falconer will. there just isnt any point

[Blakloks 5]

I was so eager I sent the same thing twice! I shoot pheasants every second Saturday so it would only be Sundays and every other Saturdays I don't think that would be enough. I'm on a syndicate with 1000 acre I could have hunted it on would be great fun.

[charlie caller 3,654]

If I did not lamp I would not keep a bird, as I love my shooting as well, and what with having to earn a living I just could not do it without lamping, and all that direct pursuit flying from the glove does make for a very fit hawk, as it has to really pump its wings and try to stand any chance of catching.

[arcticgun 4,548]

theres a lot of lads put off keeping hawks because of time, however if the urh=ge si that great simply look at your life and look for the gaps or create soe, I keep a good few dogs ferretsfalcon and it is hard work I also work 24 hr shifts as well, my birds are hunted everyday in season, always rest them one day a week anyhow, at worst its and hour of hard lure work, but to be fair nowt gets em fit like taking to the wing in ssearch of game, harris even easier sin=mply let em out and let em follow on whilst you take your dog out for a walk, they will soon find game to hunt at worst fetch em into lure and reward well for efforts,

 

You could give a bird a better life than it simply being sat in a breeding chamber rotting away, you have theland and quarry and thats half the battle, maybe offer the keeper to do a bit feeding etc in week and pest controil on the shoot your in and it might even save you a few quid on your fees ,where theres a will theres a way I reckon , its wanting it enough

[j j m 6,533]

mostly working birds and display birds flying through the summer months,i moult mine i dont think id like my harris sitting up a tree with a nest full of young birds ,not worth the risk

[pointer 543]

I had always wanted to own a hawk but I waited until I felt it was the right time to go for it. If I'd still had terriers and lurchers to find work for I think I'd have struggled. Several years ago I nearly got a Harris thinking I'd find the time to work the lurchers then get the hawk out, or hunt the hawk and lamp the dogs the same day but realistically I knew I wouldn't be able to do that nearly everyday over a full season.

I'm glad I waited until I had no other hunting to divide my time up, this way I can fully concentrate on hunting my hawk. Even then there were times last season when I was a bit late getting back from work and didn't get to fly her for the last hour before we lost the light. Next season ill bring lamping into play which will increase the amount of hunting I can do with her on work days.

Others might be able to fly a bird and go shooting etc but I don't think I could, I'd end up doing everything badly and not really justifying the ownership of bird, dogs guns or whatever. I'd like to think I'm fairly keen and when I had dogs I worked them everyday even if it was just a couple of hours lamping or an hour getting a few rats, holidays were kept for hunting and every weekend was spent hunting.

I take my hat off to those that have to work full time and can still find the time to fly a hawk regularly plus do other hobbies, sports etc. I will struggle enough to fly a Harris daily next season.

[Blakloks 5]

Guys some interesting and different views thanks. I would love to think somewhere down the line when I have the room and the time I will eventually get a hawk to hunt that's the dream, birds of prey totally transfix me. I have the land in fact I could rattle off 10 farms I could hunt a bird on but right now I know I couldn't but I hope that changes one day

[j j m 6,533]

good luck bud

[andy64 2]

Yer good luck mate . i`m in a similar position and it is frustrating , all the best .