starting out

[scotlandforever 0]

Awryty all

 

well have decided to get a Harris Hawk next year but ned to learn sbout them more before i get one

is there anyone near glasgow that could help me out and show me the ropes?

 

 

also where can i start to buy jesses and stuff?

 

Thanks Jason

[Rentomski 0]

A few questions for you. Why do you want a hawk? Do you have the time to keep a bird of prey? Can you afford it? What is your experience with birds of prey? Where will you fly/hunt the bird? Is there suitable quarry on that ground? Where is your nearest avian vet? Where will you keep it? Who will look after it when you are away and do they have experience of birds of prey? Where will you obtain feed for the bird? What would you neighbours think of a screaming juvenile Harris? Believe me, a bad one will make one hell of a racket and you cannot guarantee a totally silent bird. Owning a bird of prey is a huge commitment both in terms of time and money, a Harris' will live 20+ years in captivity. Are you prepared to make that kind of long-term commitment and not just sell the bird on when you grow tired/bored with it?

 

I may be able to help; but if you are not prepared to put the work in and demonstrate commitment, competence and a willingness to learn then it is a complete waste of my time. I'm not being deliberately negative towards you, but if you haven't thought things through then it is the bird that will suffer. I see it every season, new birds being sold on or just neglected due to inexperienced/ incompetent owners who haven't realised that owning, training and hunting with a bird of prey requires a lot more than they originally anticipated. Do some research and answer the above questions is a good starting point for anyone contemplating taking up falconry.

[scotlandforever 0]

hi Rentomski

 

I want a hawk because ive always wanted one and i now have the chance with my parents letting me get one. I have plenty of time to keep a BOP im at school just now so will have few hours in the morning befor school them back at 3 so have the rest of the day for it. Mum and dad said they will help me out with money and things will be buying a beginers kit from www.falconfabrication.co.uk/ . Have about 300 + acers of ground with rabbits, crows, pigeon, duck and hares. I have been told there is a avian vet in cumbernauld with plenty of experience. Won't be going anywhere as in holidays or that dont like them much. Have found a web site that supplies Hawk food www.crookedstane.co.uk/ . Have a Lab in a kennel in the backdoor who is loud at night most nights and no one has botherd.

 

Hope thats all your Q's answerd

 

Just really want one there so nice and jst great think the world of BOP but also want to hunt with one so a HH is my choice.

 

I wont be getting a bird untill next year so plenty of time to learn have a dvd on the way and going to get a book tomorrow so hopefully im going in the right direction.

 

where are you from and what birds do you fly?

 

Thanks Jason

[Rentomski 0]

Good work! Keep the sensible questions going and I may be able to help you out: idiots excluded! Transport?

[scotlandforever 0]

im in glasgow mate my dad rives and my mother but if need be i would jump on a train just to learn the ropes

 

where are you from?

 

and we can work something out?

 

Thanks alot mate Jason

[Rentomski 0]

I'm not saying yea or nay at this stage, there is a falconry festival at Blair Drummond on 10 August I suggest that you be there. If I think that you are sensible/sane etc, then I may consider training you. I'm not too far north of Glasgow. I hunt with a female Harris' Hawk and a tiercel Gyr/Saker; and mess about with some assorted owls.

 

Reading list:

 

Understanding the Bird of Prey, Nick Fox. Falconry; Art and Practice, Emma Ford. The Complete Rabbit and Hare Hawk, Martin Hollinshead.

Training Birds of Prey, Jemima Parry-Jones ( not that I agree with everything she says).

 

Get the above books, read them, learn the principles and we may be able to sort something out.

[scotlandforever 0]

I'm not saying yea or nay at this stage, there is a falconry festival at Blair Drummond on 10 August I suggest that you be there. If I think that you are sensible/sane etc, then I may consider training you. I'm not too far north of Glasgow. I hunt with a female Harris' Hawk and a tiercel Gyr/Saker; and mess about with some assorted owls.

 

Reading list:

 

Understanding the Bird of Prey, Nick Fox. Falconry; Art and Practice, Emma Ford. The Complete Rabbit and Hare Hawk, Martin Hollinshead.

Training Birds of Prey, Jemima Parry-Jones ( not that I agree with everything she says).

 

Get the above books, read them, learn the principles and we may be able to sort something out.

 

 

Thanks mate Im in a stookie just now broke my ankle if i have my stookie on for 6 weeks then it will e off on the 7th so should be there

 

will get in touch near the time

 

Thanks Jason

[Guest bullterrier]

alright rentomski mate that's some really good advice that you gave i think anyone thinking of getting a bird should be reading your [ a few questions ] and topman for [thinking ] of offering to teach the lad scotlandforever mate if you get given this chance take it and learn all you can mate don't mess rentomski about am not saying you will but you see it so often on this site and hope your ankle get better soon mate hope it goes well for you both. ..john

[scotlandforever 0]

alright rentomski mate that's some really good advice that you gave i think anyone thinking of getting a bird should be reading your [ a few questions ] and topman for [thinking ] of offering to teach the lad scotlandforever mate if you get given this chance take it and learn all you can mate don't mess rentomski about am not saying you will but you see it so often on this site and hope your ankle get better soon mate hope it goes well for you both. ..john

 

Thanks mate

 

Am really wanting to learn all i can from rentomski am so greatful that hes offerd me the chance to mibi be able to get the chance to learn the ropes from him hopefully he thinks im willing enough and belive me i am but well leave it up to him to decide

 

 

Thanks Jason

[Mark.B 0]

People reading rentomski'e first reply might have thought he was being sharp with him.He wasn't it is just the realities of owning a bird of prey.Every question in that list needs to be answered fully for the sake of the birds welfare.

Fare play to the man starting out at least he is seeking advice wellin advance and trying to sort out a mentor!

[scotlandforever 0]

Well Mark I wouldn't be getting a bird if i couldn't get someone to give me some advise and some hands on experience

 

Thanks again rentomski and ood new was at hospital today getting staples out and that doc says i will have my stooky off in 4 week today the 6th so will be at the falconry festival at Blair Drummond

 

Thanks Jason

[scotlandforever 0]

Found this website while looking on the internet and found it helpful http://www.lancsfalconry.co.uk/beginner.htm

 

and also this video on youtube about manning and training

 

 

Thanks Jason

Edited July 9, 2008 by scotlandforever

[Rentomski 0]

Found this website while looking on the internet and found it helpful http://www.lancsfalconry.co.uk/beginner.htm

 

Not bad advice on that website, although I would question the statements that Harris' are reluctant to work over dogs and are prone to frostbite. My Harris' loathes my dog if she come too close, but she is very well aware that dogs flush rabbits and it is well worth being perched above the dog when working cover!

 

Frostbite should not be an issue in a decent aviary in the UK, provided the bird is above frost level in extreme weather. A more common problem is wingtip oedema caused by putting a cold wet hawk back into its aviary in cold weather; in such cases this problem could be entirely avoided by bringing the hawk into the house to let it dry off and warm up prior to returning it to its aviary. Or as I frequently do with my hawk, leave the bird tethered to its bow overnight in the sitting room; just be aware that they can't be house trained and can slice their mutes a considerable distance!

[scotlandforever 0]

Found this website while looking on the internet and found it helpful http://www.lancsfalconry.co.uk/beginner.htm

 

Not bad advice on that website, although I would question the statements that Harris' are reluctant to work over dogs and are prone to frostbite. My Harris' loathes my dog if she come too close, but she is very well aware that dogs flush rabbits and it is well worth being perched above the dog when working cover!

 

Frostbite should not be an issue in a decent aviary in the UK, provided the bird is above frost level in extreme weather. A more common problem is wingtip oedema caused by putting a cold wet hawk back into its aviary in cold weather; in such cases this problem could be entirely avoided by bringing the hawk into the house to let it dry off and warm up prior to returning it to its aviary. Or as I frequently do with my hawk, leave the bird tethered to its bow overnight in the sitting room; just be aware that they can't be house trained and can slice their mutes a considerable distance!

 

 

well if it got to be done its got to be done plenty of newspaper i think

 

Jason

[scotlandforever 0]

Look forward to meeting you.

 

Thanks

 

Jason