I'm gettin a Harris Hawk

Date: Nov 19, 2003

I'm gettin a Harris Hawk

Date: Nov 19, 2003

Hi Jack,

Welcome to the world of falconry.

Firstly I would suggest get some good reading material, Falconry: Art and Practice by Emma Ford is pretty good, for caring for and understanding your bird, "Understanding the bird of Prey" by Nick Fox.

Also, try and hook up with an experienced falconer in your area, where abouts are you, we have people on here from all parts of the UK, plus a few dotted around the world.

If you need any more help or info, the forum is a good place with a good pool of knowledge, so post away...

Date: Nov 20, 2003

Hi Jack,

Nice to hear you're so enthusiastic about getting your first Bird. I agree with Owen, read all you can, there are some really good books out there, The Harris Hawk by Lee William Harris is excellent. Try and get in touch with an experianced falconer in your area and a decent club. You will need to know the answers to the questions you posted and many,many more before you even think about your first purchase so dont rush out and buy a Hawk until you have a sound knowledge of all the theory you'll need.

As for dispatching rabbits, i would take one step at a time and aquire all the skills needed to to fly your bird at rabbits in good style, giving both bird and rabbit a sporting chance.

I know this all sounds a bit boring but if you're dedicated enough to stick at it and aquire all the relevant skills you'll soon be up to your neck in rabbits to deal with.

If you have any more coments or questions please post them and if i cant answer im sure someone else will!

Good Luck

Shaun

Date: Nov 21, 2003

I have read LOADS of books and watched many videos. I am hocked up with 3 falconers. Linda, who has a 6 year old Harris Hawk (Male), Kym, who has 2 superior Harrises (males) and Gavin who has a redtail (female) and a Harris (male).

I really do need to know how to dispatch a ribbit though, because i need to know.

Jack

Date: Nov 22, 2003

Jack,

Great to know you have found a falconer already, she should be able to help loads.

As for how to despatch a rabbit, there are several methods.

1) You can "neck it", this involves taking the head in one hand and the back legs in the other, you then pull the back legs, and pull the head, twist it and pull it backwards, this breaks their necks, but needs practice.

2) Most of us, use a knife, personally I use a SHARP knife, and sever the spinal cord, just below the skull, this is the easiest and most humane way of despatching a rabbit.

3) A "Bishop" was a weighted stick traditionally used to despatch rabits and rats, you basically club them to death, a little less humane!!

I hope that helps

Owen

Date: Nov 26, 2003

hey all,

from the sounds off your first post your not yet ready too take on a bird although it sounds as if you have good help around you get as much expirience handaling birds before you get yours. cause belive me your in for a shock lol. A good book i first read was falconry and hawking by philip glasier. Wen are you planning on getting the bird? my first harris was a cracker she killed her first rabbit after 9 days out of the avairy mind you we were in scotland were the ****ing place was lifting with rabbits lol.

really do hope you do well with this bird as there are too many peeps you get a bird cause they like the idea of parading around with a bird on the first then flog it on wen things go wrong. but like i say hope you do well with this and stick at it.

all the best rob

ps keep us updated.

Date: Nov 27, 2003

Thnx for the advice. I can now see why you think I am not ready, I do know my first post was very misleading. I have 16 books including the book you said, I have been going out with various falconers for about 9 months now and know just about everything I need. I have put a lot of thought into gettin a bird and I think I am ready. I am gettin it in spring as a 12 week old. I am still at school so I have a lot of time on my hands. I will keep everyone posted on training and everything. I also will have pics on my webpage which I haven't finished yet. I will also have some footage.

Keep the tips coming plz, they are a gr8 help

---Jack---

Date: Nov 28, 2003

Hello again Jack.

That makes things a bit clearer. Its pretty hard to get things over when you're just typing it so i hope you can understand the confusion.

Great to hear that you've taken so much time to think about what you're doing, there's plenty that dont!

Good luck for the spring, if you need any advise, just ask.

Shaun

Date: Nov 30, 2003

hey jack,

although you think you have a lot of time on your hands being at school wat bout in winter wen its dark till past nine and goes dark again at 3 ish how you gonna fly the bird during the week then? although you can fly harrises just at the weekends you'll never get the best out of the bird but thats just my opinion and im sure people will argue against it! also you say your getting it at 12 weeks old personal i feel that still too early but once again just my opinion personal id leave it till 14 or 15 even if it means paying more.

hope this was of some help

rob speakman:

Date: Dec 1, 2003

Thnx for the advice. I am will look into gettin the bird at a later age. During the winter, I am not sure what i will do, but i will think of something.

Don't you worry, she will be a very loved bird.

Jack

Date: Dec 1, 2003

Rob,

Very good point.

Harrises are notorious screamers, this is due partly to their gregarious nature, but also they will become partially imprinted if you handle them too early.

Dr. Nick Fox's Book is great at explaining imprinting, and gives you a timeframe, interesting, but I am not sure how accurate it is for Harris'

My Harris I got and equipped him at 14 weeks, and then put him down for 2 weeks, with only a minimum of manning until 16-17 weeks, and he still screams like a Banshee whenever he see's or hears me.

Something else to be aware of, and avoided like the plague if you live in a built up area.

Regards
Owen

Date: Dec 17, 2003

Hi Guys,

My Harris Hawk will soon be hatched. I have already thought of a name, how about "Willow". What are your lot called, and what are they like.

Reply soon

---Jack---

Date: Dec 19, 2003

You sound well excited, good luck with your new bird. Just one question, how did you know you were getting a female if the eggs havn't hatched yet?lol

Date: Dec 23, 2003

Jack,

Yes I like the name "Willow", after the lead in the film Willow I guess??

Or if it is a male, should it not be called "Kiah"?

If you need any help, then you ca allways mail me on Owen@falconersmews.co.uk I will respond faster that way, but we have a few knowledgeable guys on the board, so the more information the better I allways think.

Merry Xmas one and all

Owen

Date: Dec 23, 2003

Jack,

can you mail at owen@falconersmews.co.uk re the footage that you have.

Cheers

Owen

Date: Dec 26, 2003

Hi Guys,

Just gettin everything ready for "Willow". What does everyone think about Telemetry. I am umming and arring about gettin it.

Plz Reply quickly

---Jack---

Date: Dec 28, 2003

hey jack,

If you can get telemetry get it! I flew harrises for years with out using it and got away with it but for the sake of a couple of hundred quid it will go along way and it will last you a good space aswell.

hope this was of some help jack,

rob

ps you using a dog with this bird?

Date: Dec 29, 2003

Are you based in oxford?

And did you buy your bird from me?

Date: Jan 1, 2004

Hey Guys,

Something unexpected has happened. I phoned up the breader that I was gettin a Harris Hawk from, and he said that something went wrong with the breeding program and the clutch is not going to hatch. I was of course very dissapointed. But then he said that he had a 20 week old Female Harris waiting to be bought. I went down to have a look at the bird, she was BEAUTIFUL. I can honestly say that she is the nicest Harris I have ever seen. I said that we would buy her, and now we are going to go and collect her on the 3rd of Jan. YAHOO.

---Jack---

Date: Jan 1, 2004

hey all,

you refering to me gerri if so no and no!

rob,

Date: Jan 4, 2004

jack happy new year to you , have you picked your bird up yet?all this advice ive spoke to some right plonkers so dont take what they say for gospel,you find some people talk a good job ive got a big male harris hes great ive had a few problems and you could do what i did and speak to the people at kentish falconry and no i didnt get my bird from them . As for killing a rabbit cleanly an old game keeper taught me how and it never fails hold the rabbit round the neck and put the palm of your hand under its chin and push back as far as you can with aquick jerk gameover ,remember to slit it open while nice and warm it all comes out in one go .

Date: Jan 13, 2004

I've got a Harris Hawk

Date: Jan 15, 2004

RE: I'm gettin a Harris Hawk

Date: Feb 3, 2004

Jack,

How you getting on with that Bird?

Date: Feb 7, 2004

Rob me numbers 01928 751535 ,ive tried to send you an email to your address but it keeps rejecting it ,

Anyway id like to hook up soon so i can see your birds and have a talk ,the only thing is i have a slight stutter so dont panic when im talking like max headroom m8 its just me nerves till i get to know some one ,anyway i hope it has,nt put you off .any way if you phone me wife will talk to you ?

Ps dont be chatting her up ,lol only joking m8

yours faithfully

Johnny ashton

Date: Feb 10, 2004

hey jonny,

check the barn owl post and cause its not put me off will more than likely have too just be a walk out with the dogs though as the birds will be down too molt i think. also in bout 2 weeks will be up at runcorn bridge watching some of the raptors ther maybe we could meet then.

all the best rob

ps dont worry bout me chatting up your misses im a bit young for her lol im only 18 will give you a bell soon

Date: Dec 25, 2004

Hello. the knife thing is a point of controversy from my point of view. i saw a harris have the sole of his foot cut open with a sharp knife. it grabbed the knife blade when the owner was dispatching the rabbit through the scull. when a bird is in the middle of a struggle with quarry she is very animated and excited and can grab at things. this one grabbed at the rabbit head but got a blade instead which resulted in a long lay off, high vetrinary bills but fortunately no bumble foot infection. it could quite easily have been the end if her hunting days. be carefull and be warned. my advise is to stretch the neck but if you have to use an impliment for whatever reason then use a spike. this way the hawk cannot grab it and be cut. this is a true story, and a painful one for the owner. luckily the bird recovered. you have been warned.