Dougie Male Harris Hawk

[pointer 543]

Out of interest when flying a cast by how much does the success rate go up ??

I'm thinking that by doubling up a hawk( dogs are the same) it helps put more stuff in the bag.With the amount of missed flights I've had this season just on squirrel alone I think a cast would make it much harder for them to escape.

[Accip74 7,112]

I lost my first male like that after only 4 months, allowed myself to be persuaded to try it........it's a lot more satisfying to see one on one IMO & it's a lot of work to try flying a cast on your own........the thing is mate these birds get better & better as the seasons roll on, they can get so efficient......

My mate has my old male, in his 7 season now & he's super efficient at what he does, in his 3rd season with me he took 101 head! That was just mainly wkend flying & holidays........be patient mate

[pointer 543]

Don't get me wrong I didn't ask about cast flying because I want to kill more stuff or anything like that I was just interested. The only reason I can see for flying a cast is to catch more quarry but I wondered if there were other reasons to do so.

Mine did fly with another hawk a few weeks back and was attacked, this weekend was the first time since then that she flew properly. I think that although there was no damage that I could see she must have been sore and bruised for some time. She still has a wound over her left eye that I've been treating. There was also some fraying done to wing and several tail feathers plus a few chunks out of some of them.

 

It's not something I'll risk again.........but I can see why some do it.

[Accip74 7,112]

Fair enough mate, I misinterpreted your question lol.........mine was pinned in a ditch full of shitty water by a female.....she didn't do any damage to him.....but he ingested stagnant water.....that killed him 2 days later

[pointer 543]

That's a shame mate. I'm sure there's loads of lads that are flying two or more hawks together without incident year after year. Mine was maybe just unlucky, i don't think the other hawk was trying to do her real harm but is a lot bigger than my little female.

[arcticgun 4,548]

gg

[Accip74 7,112]

That's a shame mate. I'm sure there's loads of lads that are flying two or more hawks together without incident year after year. Mine was maybe just unlucky, i don't think the other hawk was trying to do her real harm but is a lot bigger than my little female.

Yes lots, like you say bad luck......so I'm a bit biased now :-)

[pointer 543]

gg

I don't know about gg (good game) it's not something I ever hope to see again, one talon through the head or crop and it could be go (game over)

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Out of interest when flying a cast by how much does the success rate go up ??

I'm thinking that by doubling up a hawk( dogs are the same) it helps put more stuff in the bag.With the amount of missed flights I've had this season just on squirrel alone I think a cast would make it much harder for them to escape.

For me its purely just the company of flying the hawks with mates, other than that he does fine on his own, cast flying probably puts more game in the bag, problem is sometimes it stops yours making the kill as the other one is getting it for one reason or another, even though yours could have got it without the other, but thats just a part of cast flying that has to happen

[pointer 543]

It's much the same as with lurchers then.

[j j m 6,540]

good read enjoyed this thread

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

good read enjoyed this thread

Thanks mate, got to admit i expected a lot more kills this season by now, but my hunting time has been restricted from what it was last season and rabbit numbers are down, i will keep it going till he gets put down for moult anyway

[pointer 543]

It's all we can do, i expected more kills as well. For me its about getting onto the right land which should start happening soon. Round the doors just isn't cutting it, yes I'm getting the odd kill but it hasn't been regular enough and besides I don't like hunting in thick cover and hedgerows. Except for squirrels in woods I'm only ever happy if I'm out walking on moor or fells. So I need to make more of an effort to gain access onto those areas.

[arcticgun 4,548]

GG was a boss just walked in moment pal I think maybe theres a case for cast flying say on open land maybe two onto hare dare I say it barring that I cannot see the point unless you keep multiple hawks and want to save time on flying em single. The clash between our hawks was one going to the floor in a manner that suggested to the other that there was quarry to be had, you right she bruised her some grip they have , the lack of blood on the day suggested what we thought initially at the time, week before they both went on that lure together no crabbing and one watched the other eat a kill form height, so I see no animosity between them, suppose you could liken to to running dogs doubled and them clashing, again likening it to hunting with dogs, dog is pack animal hunter, same as Harris, we adapt em to suit us, so maybe taking away pack scenario is a safer way when they hunt with us? however as with dogs single handed always the best test on any quarry

 

Multiple kills don't really bother me personally, I'm more than happy with one good kill, unless it comes far to early into the hunt, if that's the case trade off and hunt on nothing like sitting watching the bird fill herself up on warm meat and then the walk home afterwards roll on tomorrow as am finished work for a couple of days and we looking for partridge on open land,

Edited December 3, 2013 by arcticgun

[pointer 543]

I haven't seen cast hunting so I don't know what it's like , I know I've spent more time on here than hunting this season so I need to sort myself out.