We usually get to hear about all the sucsess stories about great chases, and great hunting, but I'm sure ther are a number of failures and lessons to be learnt from them. Recently my bird disapeared after a good attempt at a rabbit, and I was puzzled as to whwre he had gone. much latter that day after much searching the phone went and I heared he had got into a raceing pidgeon loft right next to where I had been flying him!. Killed a couple of Pidgeons which I had to pay for. Latter when I got him back I found that the kind helpfull fellow Falconer who had gone to the Pidgeon keepers loft to recover my bird, felt he had the God given right to take my £140 transmitter off and put it in his pocket- what nice people we share our sport with? Whats the lesson? Expect the unexpected, and try to keep away from Pidgeon lofts. Any more stories- There may be a few names and addresses to follow on this story as it unravels. TaTa John Smith
Personally, I have not run into any falconers like this, but some frineds of mine, who travel to shows etc. a lot more than I do, talk of the falconers who own birds, in a similar way that some own rotweillers or other aggresive looking dogs.
These people do exist but fortunatley I have not met a falconer who was not pleasant and friendly.
It only takes one bad apple to spoil a barrel as they say, but if we responsible falconers lead by example, their are some that won't learn, but hopefully they will be less noticed.
