bullet 125 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 just hang in there sean, here we've been lucky to dodge most of it, hopefully it should sort its self pretty soon Quote Link to post
sean goshawk 189 Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) it needs to as I finish up on the 1st of feb anyway as its 75mph winds last nite and today with rain all day and nite.as this happen last year the same time and all the rabbits got mixy and nothing was about cos of the bad weather and fed the bird up as it was hard to get one flight with the bird and wasn't going to waste her and give her a good long moult. Edited December 5, 2015 by sean goshawk Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted December 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Well I have started flying my female imprint gos who has a damaged foot. This bird rarely if ever let anything get away previously, but unfortunately due to tendon damage she has had a difficult time holding quarry. Last year I bolted 6 rabbits out for her one day and she caught 5 of them. Sometimes she would catch them a couple of times before they would get away. She eventually held onto the last one, so was cropped up. I had her out last week and she nailed a mallard and then a few days ago she caught 2 rabbits, letting the first one get away, but thankfully she held the second one. It will be good to see if she can learn and adapt to holding them with one good foot. 2 Quote Link to post
sean goshawk 189 Posted December 17, 2015 Report Share Posted December 17, 2015 Well done mate that is on my next to do list try and get a duck. Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted December 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 She nailed another rabbit today. Caught it immediately, but it broke free, but she set off after it again into a strong head wind and secured it. Cropped up again and a couple of days off. 2 Quote Link to post
Accip74 7,112 Posted December 18, 2015 Report Share Posted December 18, 2015 She nailed another rabbit today. Caught it immediately, but it broke free, but she set off after it again into a strong head wind and secured it. Cropped up again and a couple of days off. Sounds like she'll come good if you don't over do it....;-) Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted December 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2015 Hi mate Its a case of if she learns to adapt. Last year on the same bit of ground, I bolted 6 rabbits out. She caught 5 of them, sometimes more than once, but couldn't hold them. She finally nailed and held the sixth rabbit, so I fed her up and went home. A similar thing happened the next few times we went out, so I ended the season. Before the injury, she very rarely lost any quarry she got a foot to. The thing is, she is a smart hawk and uses her brains, so I thought what the hell, I would give her more chances to learn. If she carries on like this, I will be very happy. 1 Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted January 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 A couple of pics of the imprint gos doing what she does best.....LOL She has had a few rabbits as well and hopefully if the weather stays dry and cold, I can do a few streams for some duck before the season ends. I'm pleased that despite her injury, she continues to put game in the bag. 4 Quote Link to post
Accip74 7,112 Posted January 16, 2016 Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 It's what it's all about really, isn't it david? As much as I loved rabbiting with a gos, I really wanted to be knocking game birds down left, right & centre...haha......but it didn't quite pan out that way..... Nice pics..;-) Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted January 16, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks mate. Getting them fit and confident is what its all about. What I like about the gos is the wide variety of quarry they are capable of taking. I used to hunt this bird at a landfill and would slip her gulls at over 100 yards away. 2 Quote Link to post
muttley94 74 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 great seeing you work her despite the injury, I think there are those who sadly wouldn't bother, just shows never to give up on or underestimate the birds! great stuff mate 1 Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted January 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 great seeing you work her despite the injury, I think there are those who sadly wouldn't bother, just shows never to give up on or underestimate the birds! great stuff mate Thanks mate. Before her injury she very rarely lost any quarry. She always was a good hawk, making the most of any opportunity. It seemed worthwhile persevering with her. 1 Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted January 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 A picture of todays catch. A rabbit for a bit of variety. I wish I had some more rabbit ground as they are very thin on the ground here. 2 Quote Link to post
muttley94 74 Posted January 17, 2016 Report Share Posted January 17, 2016 great seeing you work her despite the injury, I think there are those who sadly wouldn't bother, just shows never to give up on or underestimate the birds! great stuff mate Thanks mate. Before her injury she very rarely lost any quarry. She always was a good hawk, making the most of any opportunity. It seemed worthwhile persevering with her. I guess taking quarry is only half the fun though, if you're still out and getting good flights and enjoying it then kills are just a nice bonus! 1 Quote Link to post
david901 165 Posted January 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2016 Hi Muttley94 Some of the best flights I have seen are where the quarry escapes. To me Falconry is not about catching large quantities of game, but instead watching a hawk/falcon performing at its best on difficult quarry. Quote Link to post
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