Falconry Video : Red_tail hunting

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Amazing video, please feel free to share more vids or still photo's of these amazing bird of prey. I love how they use their wings to cover the prey. I was amazed that Luna allowed her handler to come close and touch her prey and herself like that....truly an amazing bond of trust between bird and falconer. :)

---

indeed it is franky a very special one at that :cool:

truely amazing video Sevo

just curious.... do they bring the prey to you or just go aheaad and eat it?

Thank you so much for sharing Chris. That was a truly amazing video. I'd love to see some still shots too. :yes: I can't tell ya how much I appreciate your sharing your love of these beautiful animals.

Huntin' bushy-tails huh Chris? Not much of that here in Utah, probably because there aren't many trees :rolleyes: , lots and lots of bunnies though. Has any of your birds ever had a bad bite from one? Do you use chaps? I love watching RTs chase squirrels, it is just so much different than chasing rabbits. Thanks for posting that!

-Evan

cool vid , awesome flying....had a work colleague who flew Harris Hawk a whiles back...stunning to watch the two of them ' work '... most peeps dont understand the dedication that is involved...thanks for sharing ....long may your primary's flourish my friend !

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Monty

that was the coolest thing i think i've ever seen. but how do you control the bird in the sense that you know its not gonna just up and take off and you will never see it again. thats the part the confuses me.

---

Training a raptor in short is just training the bird to ALLOW the falconer to be a part of the hunt, and to help the bird gain confidence on they prey type that you would like to hunt. The bird learns that it can be more successful to hunt with the falconer, and that if all attempts fail it will still get fed at the end of the day, unlike in the wild. That being said, it is not a guarantee that you will go home with your bird after every hunt, as they have the freedom to fly away any time they want to.

Here is one of the most amazing examples I've ever seen of how well trained some raptors can be (not to mention their amazing eyesight) :

I was out with a fellow falconer flying his male gyrfalcon/merlin hybrid and hunting grouse. The bird missed the prey on the initial stoop (dive), and it started a tail chase (which can go for miles sometimes). It was almost a mile away and looking like the grouse was going to live another day before it's trainer pulled out the lure and began swinging away. It IMMEDIATELY turned around and flew back to him, got a tid-bit, and was ready to go again.

There is nothing quite like hunting with a BOP. I've never hunted any other way :D .

-Evan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Laooda

THAT WAS SO COOOOOOL!!! Totally gave me goose bumps!!!! :eek:

---

Laura, that is what I feel evertime I take my birds out... I am glad the video gives you the same buzz it gives me

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frankykeno

Amazing video, please feel free to share more vids or still photo's of these amazing bird of prey. I love how they use their wings to cover the prey. I was amazed that Luna allowed her handler to come close and touch her prey and herself like that....truly an amazing bond of trust between bird and falconer. :)

---

Joanna, Thank you for the compliments. Here is what will blow you away about luna, She was a wild Red-tail 2 months befor that video. The art of falconry is taking wild raptors and manning them down to hunt with you. It shows you the bond you must create with them. At first the bird want nothing to do with you, but then they learn your not going to hurt them and you are a constant source of food. I will get some more picture up soon. I have not forgotten about the peregrines.. I have a suprise for you:sunny:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by steveo

indeed it is franky a very special one at that :cool:

truely amazing video Sevo

---

Steveo,
Thank you.. It took me a while to edit the video but i thought it came out OK. I am happy everyne is enjoying it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by python.princess

just curious.... do they bring the prey to you or just go aheaad and eat it?

---

No, they really dont. Some times you get lucky and it happens right in front of yo9u, but for the most part you have to go to them. The main reason is that squierrel is doing its best to bite the Red-tail.. so as they are gliding down they are tradding off bites and talons between each other so all of their effoort is into dispatching their prey. A squirrel can bite right through a hawks talons.. they are evil little suckers


Thank you again to everyone. I have to say, I love watching the hawks but if you will watch the video again and pay attention to the squirrel you will see the determination and tenacity those guys have. I have seen them jump from trees as high as three stories to get away and just keep on running. They really are amazing as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tigerlily

Thank you so much for sharing Chris. That was a truly amazing video. I'd love to see some still shots too. :yes: I can't tell ya how much I appreciate your sharing your love of these beautiful animals.

---

Christie,
No problem.. I really love sharing my passion. I am so happy it has been so well received. i was worried at first but it is great to see all of those that truley are enjoying the birds. More pictures to come.. I have a computer full of them. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Evan Jamison

Huntin' bushy-tails huh Chris? Not much of that here in Utah, probably because there aren't many trees :rolleyes: , lots and lots of bunnies though. Has any of your birds ever had a bad bite from one? Do you use chaps? I love watching RTs chase squirrels, it is just so much different than chasing rabbits. Thanks for posting that!

-Evan

---

Evan, man we are loaded with them. See I am so used to it I would kill for a great rabbit flush.. we have to work so hard for rabbits.. briars up to your neck.. its a royal pain. The ol bushy tail is the game of choice around here.

I have had my bird get bitten, but nothing to lose a talon or toe. I dont fly chaps as I fly my birds pretty naked. I figure their talons are like a surgeons hands. He doesn't wear heavy gloves to operate as he will not have any control or proprioception.. I figure the same with my birds. It is a heated debate around the south weather to fly chaps or not.. my hypothesis is holding so far.

I will be moving to Texas in about 3 years. That is a falconers dream, as the game is endless. Quail, dove, ducks, rabbits, bushy-tails, jacks, pheasants..it is endless.

.. tyhe best falconry and be near VPI.. i think i would be in heaven

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Evan Jamison

Training a raptor in short is just training the bird to ALLOW the falconer to be a part of the hunt, and to help the bird gain confidence on they prey type that you would like to hunt. The bird learns that it can be more successful to hunt with the falconer, and that if all attempts fail it will still get fed at the end of the day, unlike in the wild. That being said, it is not a guarantee that you will go home with your bird after every hunt, as they have the freedom to fly away any time they want to.

Here is one of the most amazing examples I've ever seen of how well trained some raptors can be (not to mention their amazing eyesight) :

I was out with a fellow falconer flying his male gyrfalcon/merlin hybrid and hunting grouse. The bird missed the prey on the initial stoop (dive), and it started a tail chase (which can go for miles sometimes). It was almost a mile away and looking like the grouse was going to live another day before it's trainer pulled out the lure and began swinging away. It IMMEDIATELY turned around and flew back to him, got a tid-bit, and was ready to go again.

There is nothing quite like hunting with a BOP. I've never hunted any other way :D .

-Evan

---

Evan,
great post .. that really does sum it up.

wow thanks for the explination. i've always been interested in BOP's the first time i ever seen one i was going some where with my parents and i seen a perigrin falcon flying over head awesome site. and one of my fav bop's. i train conures and other big birds but never looked into the raptors. but ill leave that to you guys and the other experts im happy with my conures and my parrots.

and that red tail is beautiful btw.

MORE PICS!!!!!!:)