theworkingferret 56 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 hi im wanting to get a harris hawk but before i do i want to no all there is to no about keeping them and whats involed with owning 1 is there any good books dvds websites etc that i could get to learn what i need to know theres a fella near me that breeds them and i was going to see if i could do a deal that he sells me a bird and mentors me any info would be great Quote Link to post
paulus 26 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 hi im wanting to get a harris hawk but before i do i want to no all there is to no about keeping them and whats involed with owning 1 is there any good books dvds websites etc that i could get to learn what i need to know theres a fella near me that breeds them and i was going to see if i could do a deal that he sells me a bird and mentors me any info would be great just remember a harris is likely to live for 20 to 30 years, so its a very long term commitment Quote Link to post
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 a few recommend the nick fox dvd`s, best thing to do is get a mentor, but dont get the bird then get mentored ! spend a season with a falconer then get the hawk. the hawk needs to be out 5 days a week minimum and not just for a short fly so ask yourself can you provide that time. also the initial cost of a hawk setup will be around £1200 minimum, something to think about. like paulus said hawks are a massive commitment so think about how well you can do by the hawk before you buy one. good luck 2 Quote Link to post
Bootsha 1,306 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 you;ve got the right idea mate but in the wrong order, get your dvd's if you want, but most importantly is get a mentor, be his shadow for a season or two even, watch, ask questions, get used to handling a bird, THEN ask yourself is this what i want, if its still yes, go for it. Many mentors will become life long friends and are always available to give advice and support. They to are glad of a kindred spirit and fellow enthusiast on occassion. Enjoy. 1 Quote Link to post
Simoman 110 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 I always wanted a Harris Hawk and read some books and visited some people, but in the end I had to take a step back and think "can I honestly give a bird all the attention and dedication it needs along with the dogs?" The honest answer was no so I will wait until I have sufficient time............. Quote Link to post
theworkingferret 56 Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 thanks for the info lads im gona get a chat with the fella near me and see if he will take me under his wing for a season or 2 and in the mean time do my homework on them because the last thing i want is to buy a hawk and not know what im doing ive plenty of land to hunt it on so that is not a problem but i want to make sure i no want im at for the birds wellfare is want matters Quote Link to post
CrowHawker 227 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 (edited) That's the way tO go about it ^ even offer to ferret for someone always handy that I have my apprentices ferret and clean bird boxes mews for 2 seasons if they stick with me for that long I will give them one of my birds for nothing but not many newbies want to stick around for that long I think out of 11 would be austringers I've given 2 fresh birds both were women just don't try to do it to quick take your time ask lots of questions their is a hell of a lot to take in. Edited June 10, 2013 by CrowHawker Quote Link to post
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 good for you mate glad youve took it on bored many ignore the advice, think they no best and do it anyway then a few months down the line when they have a terrible hawk with nobody to blame but themselves they wish they went about things like your going to Quote Link to post
pointer 543 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 I've always wanted to fly a hawk. I nearly got a Harris a few years ago but come to my senses and admitted to myself that there was no way I could hunt one properly whilst having a kennel of young working dogs. So I waited until all I had was an old lurcher and a pointer, the pointer will be used with the hawk so he will still get worked. I'm glad Ive got a Harris and I'm counting down the days until I can get her back out but last season I did miss the lurcher work and going out with hounds and terriers like I used to. I know I can't do everything I'd like to, that's just something I have to accept. Off-course I will still get out a few times with lurchers and the odd day with hounds etc as its a long season but the hawk will come first, as it should do. Time will tell if hawking is for me, I think it is but after only experiencing it for less than half a season it's impossible to say for definate. Next season will be the test to see if I'm capable of flying a Harris hawk as much as it needs, I can't see anything getting in the way of that happening but you can never be sure until you try something properly. Quote Link to post
CrowHawker 227 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 (edited) Bit late now really mate that's why potential austringers should go out 4-5 times a week with a mentor to see if they have the time not testing themselves after they got the bird so they don't end up with a bird not really hand on heart know if they have time etc hope you do for the birds sake. theworkingferret the above post is not the way to go about falconry. Edited June 10, 2013 by CrowHawker 1 Quote Link to post
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 (edited) I've always wanted to fly a hawk. I nearly got a Harris a few years ago but come to my senses and admitted to myself that there was no way I could hunt one properly whilst having a kennel of young working dogs. So I waited until all I had was an old lurcher and a pointer, the pointer will be used with the hawk so he will still get worked. I'm glad Ive got a Harris and I'm counting down the days until I can get her back out but last season I did miss the lurcher work and going out with hounds and terriers like I used to. I know I can't do everything I'd like to, that's just something I have to accept. Off-course I will still get out a few times with lurchers and the odd day with hounds etc as its a long season but the hawk will come first, as it should do. Time will tell if hawking is for me, I think it is but after only experiencing it for less than half a season it's impossible to say for definate. Next season will be the test to see if I'm capable of flying a Harris hawk as much as it needs, I can't see anything getting in the way of that happening but you can never be sure until you try something properly. you really should have thought about this before you bought the bird, fair enough alot of birds are regrettably sold due to unforseen circumstances not simply because they have tried it out and decided its not for them, bad example of a falconer . just more reason why it shouldnt be so easy to get a hawk, as above for the hawks sake i hope falconry is for you, and as you said the hawk comes first All the best Edited June 10, 2013 by youcanthide...BANG Quote Link to post
Ginger shooter 58 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 I might have one going lol Quote Link to post
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 (edited) factored you in while i was replying lol I've always wanted to fly a hawk. I nearly got a Harris a few years ago but come to my senses and admitted to myself that there was no way I could hunt one properly whilst having a kennel of young working dogs.So I waited until all I had was an old lurcher and a pointer, the pointer will be used with the hawk so he will still get worked.I'm glad Ive got a Harris and I'm counting down the days until I can get her back out but last season I did miss the lurcher work and going out with hounds and terriers like I used to. I know I can't do everything I'd like to, that's just something I have to accept. Off-course I will still get out a few times with lurchers and the odd day with hounds etc as its a long season but the hawk will come first, as it should do.Time will tell if hawking is for me, I think it is but after only experiencing it for less than half a season it's impossible to say for definate. Next season will be the test to see if I'm capable of flying a Harris hawk as much as it needs, I can't see anything getting in the way of that happening but you can never be sure until you try something properly. you really should have thought about this before you bought the bird, fair enough alot of birds are regrettably sold due to unforseen circumstances not simply because they have tried it out and decided its not for them, bad example of a falconer . just more reason why it shouldnt be so easy to get a hawk, as above for the hawks sake i hope falconry is for you, and as you said the hawk comes first All the best Edited June 10, 2013 by youcanthide...BANG Quote Link to post
Ginger shooter 58 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Not my fault mrs wouldn't keep her legs shut lol 1 Quote Link to post
youcanthide...BANG 1,051 Posted June 10, 2013 Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 (edited) well the exact time of the baby being born was unforseen at the time of buying the hawk . your a prime example of a bad falconer putting sex before your hawk, people like you dont deserve to be called a falconer ha Edited June 10, 2013 by youcanthide...BANG Quote Link to post
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