What We All Flying This Season ?

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Thanks mate. I'm hoping so. Probably start her on easy p------ge then try her on some easy rabbits. I've got some nice land with plenty of squirrels and pheasant so we can try him on them. Not sure whether to put mine on squirrels or not ?

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Thanks mate. I'm hoping so. Probably start her on easy p------ge then try her on some easy rabbits. I've got some nice land with plenty of squirrels and pheasant so we can try him on them. Not sure whether to put mine on squirrels or not ?

[pointer 543]

The thing is if there's plenty of squirrels can they be avoided without flying only from the glove?

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

The thing is if there's plenty of squirrels can they be avoided without flying only from the glove?

Ye that's the thing. Way i see it is some falconers in america fly nothing but squirrels with Harris hawks and even with the males and they never seem to have major injuries. I think I will just see how she goes on them and weigh the dangers to the reward at the time

[charlie caller 3,654]

My female Harris had a few, never got bitten, always had em round the head, I think some birds develop the nack quickly, I must admit, I get very exited squirrel hawking

[youcanthide...BANG 1,051]

Squirrels seem to bring that out in people lol. I know when me and mates have gone for them with the air rifle and dogs we all end up running after them like big idiots lol

[pointer 543]

Hawks get bit now and then, mines had a few nips from squirrel and rats. It had nothing to do with bad technique or inexperience just a matter of her grabbing whatever part of her prey that she could. Squirrel are dodgy but I've found rats trickier to cope with due to where a hawk tends to catch them like muddy banks next to streams etc etc and rats have the habit of pausing before slipping to ground which gives the hawk a chance to grab its back end. I reckon most of the real horror stories are the result of the owners not being prepared to instantly cope with a very aggressive hard biting quarry that's fighting for its life. Get the head under control and it doesn't matter how big and nasty the squirrel or rat is it cannot hurt the hawk.

I came across more rats than squirrels last season, we even bolted one high up in the dales whilst ferreting rabbits. If it wasn't for the danger from bites I'd rather hunt squirrel or rats than anything else.