Large Quarry...?

[potpoacher 27]

What is the largest quarry that a female Harris could sensibly catch? I saw a website the other day where a harris was being flown at roe deer, I find it hard to believe that it could catch them sensibly! I have also heard reports of female harrises catching muntjac & Chinese water deer and in a falconry book I picked up it had a "quarry caught" list for the year and roe was included, although all 3 had got away because they went through dense hedgerow. (this was from tony halls book) if you could please tell me (truthfully!! ) what the largest quarry is that your hawk has caught so that I have more of idea of who is talking rubbish!

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

What is the largest quarry that a female Harris could sensibly catch? I saw a website the other day where a harris was being flown at roe deer, I find it hard to believe that it could catch them sensibly! I have also heard reports of female harrises catching muntjac & Chinese water deer and in a falconry book I picked up it had a "quarry caught" list for the year and roe was included, although all 3 had got away because they went through dense hedgerow. (this was from tony halls book) if you could please tell me (truthfully!! ) what the largest quarry is that your hawk has caught so that I have more of idea of who is talking rubbish!

Even experienced female harris hawks can struggle with hare, i would say a muntjac would be the biggest and even then its a miracle, roe deer is utter bollocks.

[potpoacher 27]

thanks, thought so! is it legal to take deer with birds of prey?

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

thanks, thought so! is it legal to take deer with birds of prey?

Theres been debate over whether it is allowed or not but the generally accepted view is that it isnt.

[potpoacher 27]

so what!!?!!

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

so what!!?!!

Wouldnt stop me either, at the end of the day you cant tell a golden eagle to stop chasing deer lol

[potpoacher 27]

exactly! plus, I like venison! would it be more possible to catch roe and larger deer with a cast?

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

exactly! plus, I like venison! would it be more possible to catch roe and larger deer with a cast?

Maybe with about 30 birds lol, cant see many harrises attempting to catch a deer that size anyway

Golden eagle though, will catch deer easily sometimes but alot of times they get dragged about, but as long as they hold on to them long enough for the falconer to get there then your away

[CrowHawker 227]

If your going to fly deer get the bird suited to the task!

[perthshire keeper 1,239]

mine had big hares and a lot of cormorants realy big heavy buggers they were too! i have seen Harris put some kind of flight into bolting roe but never make a strike, thou my mate stevei recons his MALE got a hold of one but was shook off and in all honesty i have no reason to not believe him he flys birds for a liveing

[Thesharpeend 85]

My mates fhh killed a cat the other week if tht counts but a fink yah need a golden eagle for roe gotta hit the head and neck 2 take 1 down or just get kicked off so ah fink thy talking poo. Lol

[potpoacher 27]

I spose a big eagle, say a female golden, catching a deer would be like a male harris catching a hare, or have I got proportions wrong?!

[Accip74 7,112]

It would be harder for a male harris to catch adult hares regular, than a golden eagle on roe, it's all about the foot power....

My male harris caught a young Muntjac (5lbs) as did my male gos..........strangely enough, a 100 yards from where the harris did the year before ;-)

....but these were very young, lacking adult strength........so quite easy, although a novelty at the time.......

So I caught deer with my 1lb 9oz male harris.......lol

[.WARREN. 288]

ive seen a male harris go for a yorky terrier while sat on owners lap lol

[potpoacher 27]

ive seen a male harris go for a yorky terrier while sat on owners lap lol

haha!!