Irish Hunting Forum

Sean · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: Another season gone

well i decided that today would be my last hunt of the season. the reason is theres not too many rabbits about, need to give him time to grow back talon, and the rabbits will be breeding soon. so headed out and arrived at farm for about 11. had 1 flight in the space of an hour. which was a rabbit running into thick cover. all the holes i done were empty. so put bird in car and tried another farm 2 miles down the road. first set was quite a big one, so 2 ferrets in, and after a few minutes a rbabit bolts, it cuts the corner of the field for a ditch on the far side. which was about a 4 foot wide trench. rolf slapped into the rabbit just before the trench and brought him and teh rabbit over it with a bang. secured it well, and the first one in the bag. next set the ferret was down and rabbit ran up head on to us. rolf chased and it soon turned and went down the ditch lol, it was a fantastic flight that i missed the end of. but i got down to find rofl with no rabbit, peering down a hole. next set we down was on a bank, nice an open. ferret down. and instantly rabbit bolted, the rabbit bolted on the good side, and was heading for cover about 150 yards away. rolf got to it before hand tho. catching it out in the open field. he had no anchor on it, and could only grip it with the one leg, think cos of his talon. i ran in to secure it tho, as he was playing rodeo with it. because it was a great flight, and he got a good kicking from it, i decided to call it a day/season at that. opened the rabbit up and gave him a very good feedup for his work.

so another season gone. counted up the diary and he tallied 11 rooks 2 jacdaw 49 rabbits by day, 22 rabbits by night, and 2 song birds. total of 86 kills, a hell of a lot less than last year, but hopefully this summer will be a good one for the rabbits.

_________________
Interested in helping to promote this forum? Click here

ivanthehunter · Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

brill man, i love what your doing with the bird,, i read up on falconary once, but i never heard of hunting at night. How much time do you have to put in to training-- I love to get involved but its myunderstand that so much time needed. Its just that its prob not possible to partake in such a sport unless you have lots of freetime... anyway that a nice red tailed harris hawk you have there, bet you get a sore arm.. I still thin the Gos is the king... Are you allowed use Goshawk now..

Sean · Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:28 am Post subject:

you can use gos's redtails harrishawks, you pick, down south you need 3 yards experience with a spar or kestral tho before you can get a gos i think

have to put in a lot of times, 4 or 5 times a week hunting, in all weather, but its all worth it for the good sunny days flying a fit bird at rabbits.
_________________
Interested in helping to promote this forum? Click here

ivanthehunter · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 10:22 am Post subject:

I think I'll have to leave it till i retire, or get divorced ha..
All i know is i spent a waisted childhood.......
You know your self it wouldnt be fair on the animal if i couldnt get the training time in.. In those 4-5 days what sort of hours are are required for training. I assume that its hour intensive at the start of any training with a young bird... I live on one acre with houses all round, Half an acre is open and prob suitable for swinging a tethered bit of food...
Ps can you suggest any good books on training and even the on making of kit ie hoods and Jesse's and ring stands....

Sean · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:41 am Post subject:

your location shouldnt matter too much, you can always drive elsewhere for a trainign ground, i use local pitches, with the short grass its ideal. the best beginners book ive read is by far. falconry art and practise, by emma ford.its worth a read!

_________________
Interested in helping to promote this forum? Click here